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. DexterDay

    DexterDay Administrator

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    Not out there enough. Have a shop in my basement as well. Better to be down here instead.

    If I have to change the oil, work on ATV, etc. I have 2 electric heaters that do a decent job
     
    DexterDay, Jan 11, 2014
    #21 Top
  2. SmokeyTheBear

    SmokeyTheBear

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    The long and the short of it is to talk to your local yokels, your insurance company, and do not ask a certified installer to do the work. Be careful of the answers you give on any forms.

    You will find you are on your own.
     
    SmokeyTheBear, Jan 11, 2014
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  3. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I had planned on doing the work myself. But I am hesitant to do anything that will cause my insurance company to deny a claim. That would defeat the reason I am paying them every year. :thumbs:
     
    MasterMech, Jan 11, 2014
    #23 Top
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  4. bogydave

    bogydave

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    I had a diesel stove for years.
    Garage /shop wood heat means you have to be there to add fuel.

    I have NG unit heater now, up in the ceiling. Floor space is premium for me.
    spoiled myself :)
    I keep the garage at 40 to 45°,
    turn it up to 60° a hour before I start a project.

    Plans for NG in your area. Seems your area has abundant Natural Gas. Efficient, clean & reasonably price.

    All in all, I like the ceiling unit heater in a garage, out of the way & short exhaust pipe.

    Can/would/why not *** you use your boiler & add a loop to heat the garage?
    What fuel does the boiler use?
     
    bogydave, Jan 12, 2014
    #24 Top
  5. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I'm ok with adding fuel, wood/pellet won't hurt it to freeze, although it takes a run of wicked cold days to get that garage under freezing. Like 3-4 days of highs under 10 deg. That doesn't happen often here.

    Floor space is valuable here too, just happens I have a corner that I don't mind giving up, currently occupied by a 400lb generator.....

    NG will never happen in this neighborhood. Private Road, too far outta town. And yes, the gas fields are just minutes away.

    Boiler is oil fired. My choices for fuel other than wood/pellet are oil, propain, or electric. Electric is averaging $.11/kwHr currently, just bought oil for $3.57/gal.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 12, 2014
    #25 Top
  6. krooser

    krooser

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    I have an Englander in my shop… if I used it it would heat about 1100 sq. ft. But, of course, I never use it after my insurance company made me take out my old corn/pellet stove. I wouldn't THINK of firing up a pellet stove…
     
    krooser, Jan 12, 2014
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  7. don2222

    don2222

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    X2, I have a little pellet warmer on a 2x6 raised waterproof hearth in that back of my workshop/garage with Selkirk DT venting. I do not use it, but when I need it I can just plug it in and let it rip. :)

    From the Harman P61a Manual
    Listed by: OMNI-Test Laboratories, Inc.
    Report #: 135-S-22-4, 135-S-22b-6.2
    Meets requirements of: ASTM E 1509-04, ULC/ORD-C1482-
    M1990, ULC-S627-00
    This appliance is also approved for installation into a shop.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jan 12, 2014
    don2222, Jan 12, 2014
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  8. the GOAT

    the GOAT Banned

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    For starters it's in its own room... And just because it was allowed when the house was built does not mean it meets current codes. Which a new install of another appliance would have to do.

    I think here in Maine you can't have a solid fuel appliance in a garage OR in a sectioned off room that directly enters into the garage.
     
    the GOAT, Jan 12, 2014
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  9. the GOAT

    the GOAT Banned

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    Oil doesn't save you much money at those prices. Electric is a cheaper install and no risk of freezing.
    Screen Shot 2014-01-12 at 8.16.07 AM.png

    Of course the cost per million BTU's of pellets is attractive; if you can do it legally

    Screen Shot 2014-01-12 at 8.21.52 AM.png

    But the real answer is you need a gassification wood boiler and a modine :) ($50 is as low as the calculator would allow for the cost of wood -- my actual cost probably no more than $5 -- cost of gas for splitter)
    Screen Shot 2014-01-12 at 8.23.51 AM.png
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 12, 2014
    the GOAT, Jan 12, 2014
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  10. SmokeyTheBear

    SmokeyTheBear

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    MM

    Do you have a source for waste oil, there are lots of garages that are heated by waste oil from oil changes. Lots of change it yourself folks are always looking to get rid of theirs.

    Whatever you do, check it out, so you don't get blindsided and face the per day fines that sometimes get levied when code is broken, it can add up fast and that can be the least of it.
     
    SmokeyTheBear, Jan 12, 2014
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  11. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Garage was built in 2006 IIRC, it is the newest part of the house. Nobody said anything when the house was inspected, but maybe they were distracted by the fact that the boiler shared a flue with the woodstove. :eek:

    That has since been rectified.

    And that's cheap oil 'round these parts. I agree that electric is the cheap install and most likely, legal, thing to do. The gasification boiler and storage would take a loooong time to recoup the cost of installation. But I did empty one of my 275 gallon oil tanks with the intention of removing it. Could use the space for a couple receiver tanks and......:whistle:
     
    MasterMech, Jan 12, 2014
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  12. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I do in fact have a source for waste oil.... me! I'm sure I could procure some more if I needed, as I am only generating about 30 gallons a year myself. I thought about converting my boiler to run the stuff mixed with regular heating oil. Decided against it because A.) I don't generate enough to meet my probable needs and B) Who knows what other folks would drop off? The last thing I need is to incur additional expense to process contaminated oil or be stuck with gallons of it which I will have to pay to dispose of.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 12, 2014
    #32 Top
  13. krooser

    krooser

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    I also have a NG radiant heater hanging from my ceiling… but I'm at war with my gas company and haven't used that in several years… you can see it on the upper left on this pic…


    [​IMG]
     
    krooser, Jan 12, 2014
    #33 Top
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  14. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I would do that here in a heartbeat if we had NG service. I worked in a shop with those and it was great!
     
    MasterMech, Jan 12, 2014
    #34 Top
  15. SmokeyTheBear

    SmokeyTheBear

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    They have propane (yes, I know) versions of those NG units. My former neighbor had one in his garage/hobby/work shop.
     
    SmokeyTheBear, Jan 12, 2014
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  16. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Actually, the units I spoke of were indeed propane fired. Problem for me is that I might as well just do the oil-fired hydronic heater from a fuel cost perspective and save a bunch of installation dollars.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 12, 2014
    #36 Top
  17. Lousyweather

    Lousyweather

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    oh, I make the rules, but sadly, my jurisdiction only applies to my own home!

    Yep, it just isn't worth the risk to stick your neck out there because a homeowner tells you its "ok with him (or her)".....now, if they want to do the install, or hire someone else to do it, I'll still sell the unit......
     
    Lousyweather, Jan 13, 2014
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  18. Lousyweather

    Lousyweather

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    yer oil burner isn't a solid fuel burning appliance (a liquid fuel), and unless the UL listing specifically disallows installation in a garage (most pellet stoves DO disallow it), then you can do it.....
     
    Lousyweather, Jan 13, 2014
    #38 Top
  19. Lousyweather

    Lousyweather

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    think *SHOP*, not GARAGE
     
    Lousyweather, Jan 13, 2014
    #39 Top
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  20. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    I would think the oil burner is just as likely to light off any flammable vapors as a solid fuel appliance. That's why I don't get the discrimination against something like a pellet stove or furnace.
     
    MasterMech, Jan 13, 2014
    #40 Top
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