Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Aug 26, 2007 05:37am | #1

   You want a direct-vent gas heater. Both the intake and exhaust go thorough a single wall penetration, so your roof can stay intact.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   zolton | Aug 27, 2007 03:11pm | #2

   Steve is right with his reply to your question. Definitely do not install a vent-free heater. You'd not only be breathing combustion waste products, but they produce a lot of moisture as well.

   Direct vent heaters, as Steve said, vent out a sidewall and draw combustion air from within the same pipe (a pipe within a pipe, actually). That means there is no open flame inside the shop, which is a good safety feature. The combustion gasses go outside, and combustion air is drawn from outside as well. It's the best of all worlds.

   I've had an Empire direct vent heater in my shop for over ten years. The only problem I have with it is that, now that I've nearly doubled the size of my shop, it's too small to heat the space. So I might upgrade this fall to one of larger size. Other than that, it's produced reliable, relatively efficient (80%), clean, quiet heat.

   Zolton

   * Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.

3. 
   Drew1house | Aug 29, 2007 07:13am | #3

   I shopped the heck out of these last year and figure on buying one from http://www.northerntool.com... you can also get one of the black pipe radiant units and vent it out a wall... I think they are better personally based on my research (more efficient) but they cost more.

   Drew

1. 
   johnR5 | Sep 01, 2007 12:41am | #4

   i instlled a radiant heater a few years ago. Can't remember how i got along without it.

   Under a $1000.