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Quick Answer
The best type of natural gas heater for a garage depends on your specific needs and priorities. Some top options to consider include:
- Unit heaters – These suspended heaters are a popular choice for heating large, open garage spaces evenly and efficiently.
- Radiant tube heaters – Effective for spot-heating specific areas of the garage without raising ambient temperatures.
- Gas wall heaters – Able to mount on the wall to direct warmth where you need it most.
- Infrared heaters – Provide targeted, intense heat that warms people and objects, not the surrounding air.
When selecting a natural gas garage heater, key factors to consider include BTU output, coverage area, ventilation needs, safety features, operating costs, and installation requirements. Thinking about how you plan to use your garage can help narrow down the type of heater best suited to your space.
How Much Heat Do You Need?
The first step in choosing a natural gas heater for your garage is determining how much heating power you need. This depends on:
- The size of your garage – Larger spaces require more BTUs (British Thermal Units) to warm up.
- Climate and temperatures – Colder regions need more heating capacity.
- Insulation – Well-insulated garages retain warmth better and may not need as robust a heater.
- Use – Do you just need to take the chill off occasionally? Or keep it warm for extended work?
Here are some BTU guidelines for heaters based on garage size:
| Garage Size | Recommended BTUs |
|---|---|
| 1-car (up to 400 sq ft) | 10,000 – 25,000 BTUs |
| 2-car (400 – 800 sq ft) | 25,000 – 45,000 BTUs |
| 3-car (800 – 1,200 sq ft) | 45,000 – 65,000 BTUs |
| Larger than 1,200 sq ft | 65,000+ BTUs |
These are general guidelines – a properly sized heater really depends on the unique requirements of your garage. An HVAC professional can assess your space and recommend the right BTU requirements. Oversizing your heater will lead to energy inefficiency.
Type of Garage Heater
Once you know your garage’s heating needs, the type of natural gas heater you choose depends on considerations like:
- Coverage Area – Some heaters are better for heating an entire space evenly, while others are meant for directed spot heating.
- Ventilation – Unvented heaters require outside air sources for combustion. Vented heaters need to be installed near a duct or chimney.
- Location – Wall-mounted, suspended, or portable heaters each have their optimal uses.
- Usage – Frequent use may call for a permanently installed heater. Infrequent use could allow for a portable unit.
- Budget – Prices range from less than $100 to several thousand for the highest BTU commercial heaters.
Here is an overview of some of the most common natural gas heater types for residential garages:
Unit Heaters
Unit heaters, also called forced air heaters, are commonly used for heating large open areas in garages up to 1,500 sq ft. They resemble central furnace blowers suspended from the ceiling. Using a fan to circulate warm air, they evenly distribute heat throughout the space. Unit heaters come in vented and unvented models in a wide range of BTU capacities. Key benefits:
- Effective for total garage heating
- Energy efficient for large areas
- Relatively quiet operation
- Long service life – can last over 10 years
Unit heaters do have a higher upfront cost than other garage heater types. Professional installation is recommended to properly size a unit for your garage and connect gas and electrical lines.
Tube Heaters
Tube heaters, or radiant tube heaters, consist of a long perforated tube that mounts to the ceiling or wall. A burner sends hot gases through the tube, which then radiates heat directly onto objects below. Unlike forced air systems, the ambient air temperature doesn’t increase significantly. Tube heaters are an efficient option for spot heating specific areas like workbenches or vehicle parking spots. Models rated from 20,000 – 40,000 BTUs are common for home garages. Benefits include:
- Directional heat focused where needed
- Doesn’t heat empty air so can save on energy costs
- Long lastingsteel construction
- Models for ceiling or wall mounting
The intense, radiant heat can make these systems feel hotter than ambient temperature readings. Tube heaters require professional installation and adequate clearance from combustible materials.
Gas Wall Heaters
Gas wall heaters provide directed warmth from a compact, wall-mounted unit. Ranging from 10,000 – 30,000 BTUs, they work well to heat specific spots in a garage workshop, storage area, or entry door. Most models have a built-in fan to help circulate air. Benefits include:
- Small permanent footprint – mounts to existing wall
- Heats only required areas, saving on energy
- Quick installation
- Lower cost than other installed heaters
Vented units will require installation near an outside wall or vent. Wall heaters are not the best choice for heating an entire large garage due to limited blower reach.
Infrared Heaters
Infrared or radiant garage heaters don’t rely on air circulation. Instead, they use ceramic plates or tubes to emit infrared radiation that directly warms objects, vehicles, and people in the garage. This targeted heat can lead to energy savings versus heating an entire garage. Infrared heaters come in models like:
- Quartz bulb heaters
- Ceramic plate heaters
- Tubular heaters
Benefits include:
- Directed warmth where needed
- Fast heat up time
- Energy efficient for spot heating
- Wall or ceiling mounting options
Downsides can include price and the need to directly heat the objects you want warm. The surrounding air remains cool.
Portable Garage Heaters
Portable natural gas heaters offer flexibility in being able to move them around the garage as needed. Smaller models can be mounted to the wall or ceiling while larger rolling heaters have built-in tanks for fuel. Heat output ranges from around 10,000 – 60,000 BTUs. Benefits include:
- Moveable heat source
- Models for periodic or temporary heating
- Typically lower purchase price
- Storage when not needed
The main limitations are that portables may not heat an entire garage as effectively. Large portable tanks also take up space when not in use.
Important Safety Considerations
While very effective at heating garages, natural gas heaters do come with safety considerations you should keep in mind:
- Potential for carbon monoxide buildup if ventilation is inadequate
- Risk of burns from contact with hot surfaces
- Fire risks if clearances from combustibles are not maintained
- Gas leaks leading to explosion hazards
Key tips for safe operation include:
- Install a CO detector in the garage
- Ensure proper clearances from objects and adequate ventilation
- Buy units certified to ANSI safety standards
- Mount out of reach of vehicle impact
- Turn off when garage is unoccupied
- Annual professional inspection of gas connections
Following the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and operation is crucial. Built-in safety mechanisms like limit switches, tip-over switches, and oxygen depletion sensors add protection as well.
Operating Costs
One appeal of natural gas garage heaters is that natural gas prices are typically lower than electricity in most regions. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average cost for natural gas for home heating nationally is around $11 per thousand cubic feet as of Jan 2023. Electricity averages around 15 cents per kilowatt hour.
Exact operating costs for a specific natural gas heater depend on:
- Local natural gas prices
- The heater’s efficiency rating
- How often it runs
- Garage size and insulation
Some estimates indicate around $3 – $8 per month in natural gas costs for smaller garage workshop heating. Larger spaces or colder climates may be $15 – $30+ monthly. Following proper sizing recommendations and weatherizing your garage where possible will provide the most cost-efficient operation.
Installation Requirements
Most natural gas garage heating systems require professional installation to connect to your home’s gas supply lines and exhaust venting. The steps involved typically include:
- Running new gas line to garage if needed
- Venting through roof or wall as required
- Mounting the heater with proper clearance
- Connecting to electricity in some cases
- Testing for leaks
- Securing permits as required by local codes
Costs for installation average $500 – $1,500 depending on the complexity involved. Getting multiple estimates is advisable. DIY installation is possible for simpler portable heaters but comes with added safety risks that professional help can mitigate.
Key Considerations When Selecting a Garage Heater
To summarize, focus on the following criteria when choosing the best natural gas heater for your garage:
- Heating power based on garage size and climate
- Intended use and heating coverage needed
- Available ventilation and installation requirements
- Permanent or portable unit
- Lifetime costs including purchase price and energy efficiency
- Built-in safety features
- Brand reputation and warranties
Taking the time to assess your garage and heating needs will ensure you select the right natural gas heater. A combination of research and expert input from HVAC pros is recommended for best results. With the proper heater, you can make your garage warm and comfortable for vehicle storage and hobbies year-round.
Conclusion
Choosing an efficient, safe, and adequately powered natural gas heater offers an effective way to heat your garage workshop, storage area, or other outbuilding. Models like unit heaters, infrared heaters, and wall-mounted units each provide advantages depending on your specific garage size, location, budget, and heating requirements. Getting professional input on sizing and installation is key to maximize safety and cost savings on energy bills over the lifetime of the heater. With some upfront planning, a quality natural gas heater can keep your garage warm enough for comfortable use no matter how cold it gets outside.