In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Help me heat my garage, considering pellet.

Discussion in 'Pellet Stoves, Pellet Fireplaces, Pellet Furnaces' started by MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014.

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  1. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Hey guys,

    I currently use a small propane fired torpedo heater to get the shop up to a workable temperature. It's 28'x31' with 11ft drop ceiling. Insulated above and all 4 walls, one of which is shared with the house. Yes, it's an attached garage. The propane heater has no trouble getting the place over 50 on a low (20K BTU) setting and on High it will raise the temps from 30's to 60's in a little over a half-hour at 0 deg outside. I'm thinking about putting wheels on my generator and banishing it out to the shed, and installing a pellet stove with OAK where it normally sits.

    I don't need it to be sunny and 75 in the shop to work but I like it over 50 for sure, makes working out there much more comfortable.

    HA - I forgot the real question - Is anybody out there successfully heating a grage with a pellet stove and if you are, what model?
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2014
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
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  2. SmokeyTheBear

    SmokeyTheBear

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    Check with the local code folks.
     
    SmokeyTheBear, Jan 11, 2014
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  3. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I think that might be an issue, still have to check with them and the ins folks.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
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  4. imacman

    imacman

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    I'd recommend searching Craig's list for something inexpensive. There are usually a few Englander 25-pdvc or pdv's listed there, sometime very cheaply. They are solid, and replacement parts easy to come by. Lots of customer service available, including Mike H. here on the forum.

    Might even score something like a PAH, that has a big hopper.

    Any of those should be able to keep that insulated shop well above 50f.

    This one may still be available, and doesn't look too bad for a pre-2004 model. Unless you HAVE to have auto ignite, I'd offer him $500 for it:

    http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/for/4257160403.html
     
    imacman, Jan 11, 2014
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  5. SmokeyTheBear

    SmokeyTheBear

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    It is with a lot of code folks and insurance companies.
     
    SmokeyTheBear, Jan 11, 2014
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  6. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I don't suppose he would take kindly to a $500 offer? But who knows. The worst he could do is tell me to go find myself. o_O :rofl: :lol:

    I don't HAVE to have auto-ignite, but I do not want to be baby-sitting the stove, turning it up/down, adjusting ... etc. That is my main gripe with the propane heater besides the noise. Would like to have it thermostat controlled but that is not a must.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
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  7. imacman

    imacman

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    In addition to my above post, you could get a pdvc from Am-Fm refurbished by Mike at Englander for $799, or a pdv or pah for $999.....all come with full warranty. Great people to do business with, and gets delivered for free to local loading dock, or to your doorstep for $75....plus they're auto ignite and run on a stat:

    http://www.amfmenergy.com/manufacturer-refurbished-stoves.html

    Listed as "TRP-10, -22, or -PAH" on that site....exact same stoves.
     
    imacman, Jan 11, 2014
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  8. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    My ins isn't going to like having an independent small-engine shop (even if it is hobby-level) in my attached garage as it is....
     
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
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  9. imacman

    imacman

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    None of the pdvc, or pdv's are On-Off....they are always Hi-Lo on the stat. The PAH is a single auger design, and has both Hi-Lo and On-Off options, AFAIR.
    All of them will work on a stat.

    Big advantage of the pah is the 120 lb (3 bag) hopper. Nice if you're not going to the shop all the time.
     
    imacman, Jan 11, 2014
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  10. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Hi-Lo is OK I think, just as long as I'm not relighting it all the time.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
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  11. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    Thanks MM :popcorn:
     
    Pallet Pete, Jan 11, 2014
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  12. imacman

    imacman

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    No problem. :D
     
    imacman, Jan 11, 2014
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  13. don2222

    don2222

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    I got a used 10 year old Harman P61 for my shop/garage and put in Selkirk DT venting. I repainted it, it works well and it is very reliable IMO
     
    don2222, Jan 11, 2014
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  14. Lousyweather

    Lousyweather

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    not wanting to be a party pooper, but as alluded to above, most pellet stoves cannot be installed in garages (solid fuel burning appliance) due to their UL listing. NFPA211 also specifically excludes them from being allowed in a garage.......that being said, in a workshop might be another matter....semantics? Up to your code guy or insurance company......I know we wont install them in garages, due to liability
     
    Lousyweather, Jan 11, 2014
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  15. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    My oil boiler is in a small room inside the garage. So what's the difference? Hell, the pellet burner would be drawing it's combustion air from outside, which the boiler does not....
     
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
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  16. SmokeyTheBear

    SmokeyTheBear

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    The risk is that even with that stove drawing outside air it isn't

    1. a sealed combustion device and
    2. when the fuel flow is stopped the fire isn't.

    Those are two things that I can think of right off the bat.

    Even Lousyweather's quoting of NFPA isn't what is binding in all jurisdictions, but if you are certified to install the devices you can loose your certification if you don't follow the rules.

    As a private home owner you can generally do as you wish but that doesn't prevent the local jurisdiction or your insurance company from not having a lot of fun.

    Your insurance company can dump you like a hot potato then you discover the fine print that is in most mortgage agreements, that you must keep the place insured or you have defaulted on your mortgage and they can foreclose.

    I don't make the rules nor does Lousyweather.

    We go through this all the time.
     
    SmokeyTheBear, Jan 11, 2014
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    Lousyweather, the GOAT and savemoney like this.
  17. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I hear ya on not making the rules. And the insurance thing makes me think for sure. But my oil boiler is far from being a "sealed" combustion device.

    I will have to look closer at the rules regarding workshops and a pellet stove. I wonder if it was called a pellet "furnace" if it would make any difference....

    In additon to the pellet stove, I considered a hydronic heater like MikeFromMaine installed (house is oil-fired baseboad) or a 220V electric heater mounted high in a corner somewhere. Neither one would be as cost effective to run as a pellet stove however.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
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  18. DexterDay

    DexterDay Administrator

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    Some insurance companies allow them. But must be 18" from the ground.

    My insurance company loved me, and allowed it, but have since removed it.
     
    DexterDay, Jan 11, 2014
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  19. DexterDay

    DexterDay Administrator

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    I did it with a 25-PDV as imacman mentioned. I have a 3 car garage and it kept it comfortable. Never measured the temp and I lit it about an hour before I needed to work on stuff. But after a few hours, it was plenty warm.
     
    DexterDay, Jan 11, 2014
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  20. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Why did you remove it Dex? I figured I might be setting it up off the ground a bit to help with flammable vapors and keep it cleaner.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
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