It’s about that time of year: the time when we begin to realize the cold weather is going to curtail our outdoor activities, whether it’s exercising, putting the finishing touches on a paint or woodworking project, or fooling around with the family fleet of vehicles.
But even if the North Carolina cold chases you indoors, you don’t have to bid farewell to these activities until spring. Consider installing a garage heater to expand your living space and continue on with your favorite activities uninterrupted.
Garage heaters come in three varieties: propane (a gas), kerosene (an oil), electric and natural gas. Propane and kerosene probably aren’t practical choices, as they will create mess, odor and emissions that you may not be able to ventilate out of your garage. Electric heaters might help in very small spaces, and if you can point the heater directly on you. Otherwise, you will have to unplug and plug one in repeatedly — and wait for it to heat up — as you move around your garage.
For these reasons and others, a gas garage heater is probably your best bet. There are two types that can easily heat up a 1,000 square-foot garage: ventless and vented.
The former will draw air from your garage, requiring you to ventilate it properly. But that’s not nearly as scary as it sounds, as many ventless units come equipped with a shut-off sensor that shuts off the heater if there is not enough clean air circulating in your garage. A vented system will require that you cut a hole in your garage wall or ceiling — a practical choice that is not just “low maintenance” but actually “no maintenance.”
Both ventless and vented gas heaters will allow you to make great use of your otherwise chilly garage for just pennies an hour. Call Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical so we can help you select the right energy-efficient heater for your garage.