Heating the garage

[Baboontyme 2888]

I'm having an issue with some pipes that were run inside my garage wall that go up to the new addition master suite above the garage freezing. I've already had my useless builder send his sub out to put more insulation in the wall and that didn't solve the issue. The plan now is to figure out the best way to heat the garage for the few times a year when temps dip into the teens and single digits. 

There are a number of solutions out there, from natural gas to electric. I have been using a propane gas buddy and it's not great. I'm currently looking at some ~ $250ish electrical units that run off of a 240v. I would need to get an outlet installed, probably another 3-400. 

Anyone have any recs or experience? Trying to keep this cost effective. I don't need heat in the garage for any other purpose.

[thunderlounge 8465]

I have one of these in my garage for similar concerns. Works fine.

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Heat-Storm-Tradesman-1500-Watt-Electric-Outdoor-Infrared-Quartz-Portable-Space-Heater-with-Tripod-Wall-and-Ceiling-Mount-HS-1500-OTR-TRI/324948785

[RDCanecutter 26917]

Are the pipes freezing next-to/inside the foundation?

[thunderlounge 8465]

They haven’t yet.

You can also get some heated pipe wrap, if you can get to it and could plug it in somewhere.

 

[Baboontyme 2888]

5 hours ago, thunderlounge said:

I have one of these in my garage for similar concerns. Works fine.

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Heat-Storm-Tradesman-1500-Watt-Electric-Outdoor-Infrared-Quartz-Portable-Space-Heater-with-Tripod-Wall-and-Ceiling-Mount-HS-1500-OTR-TRI/324948785

The wall mount option is definitely interesting. Maybe because I've been running this gas buddy but how hot does it get? No fire hazard? I have some garage/industrial shelving in front of that area now that would sit pretty close to that wall and I would worry that someone would put something too close to it. 

1 hour ago, RDCanecutter said:

Are the pipes freezing next-to/inside the foundation?

Foundation is poured wall for a basement and yes the wall that they ran these up is a foundational wall. 

[Baboontyme 2888]

For reference when they had the wall open. They're pex and they did insulate them. The other side of this wall is a half bathroom. Just past the pipes is where the front of the house "ends".

[drt 647]

I have used incandescent work lights to add heat to the garage in the past. Put it next to the water heater and the plants we bring in. Granted I’m in Texas so it’s not often but it works surprisingly well. 

[Bill Brasky 1630]

buy some heat trace and only turn it on as needed 

[Baboontyme 2888]

1 hour ago, Bill Brasky said:

buy some heat trace and only turn it on as needed 

I'm not tearing that wall apart and putting it back together. The odds of my builder doing it without a lawsuit being involved are none to none. 

[Jkwellborn 7063]

I mean, you could get a couple of heat lamps and shine them on the wall.

[thunderlounge 8465]

Is there a way to heat from the half bath on the other side?

The bench you mentioned being in the way could be an issue with a lot of different heater setups.

 

[RPM 26674]

Thinking outside the box / hold my beer. Get a small heater, vent it into the space (knock a hole in the drywall) at the bottom with a vent at the top. These work great, have one in my wellhouse.

Edited 7 hours ago by RPM