Anyone Use Infrared Heaters In Their Garage / Workshop

[barneys66 122 1 Cars]

To date I've used a kerosene / diesel powered space heater but it's a bit all-or-nothing, and yomps through fuel this time of year.

 

As my workshop comes with bills included, within reason, I was thinking about changing to infrared (the ones that heat the target), which also gets rid of the carbon monoxide issues..

 

Anyone able to comment on effectiveness, cost to run, disadvantages, etc.

 

Thanks all

[GLPoomobile 958]

What about portable oil filled radiators?

 

Our flat (rented) has ancient oil filled radiators (we're all electric here, no gch) and they are rubbish, but we have modern portable ones to help in the winter and they do a good job. Used one in the garage when I did a year working from home and the garage was the only place I could get some peace, and i was warm enough (I'm in Edinburgh, just to put some context on that!).

[barneys66 122 1 Cars]

Thanks GLP - the space is a bit big for a radiating heater, and I have heard that they can be more expensive to run.

 

I liked the idea of the IR heaters heating the object (i.e. me) rather than an open space, and in theory they provide instant heat, though conversely instant cool down.

 

My space heater provides blast of hot air for defrosting, but the workshop is too thermally inefficient for me to use it to heat the whole thing.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

I've only seen infra red heaters used in localised spaces, I.e directly above workbenches etc, as they give out minimum convection.

 

One thing you may wish to consider is power supply to electrically powered heaters, how many kW are the ones you're looking at?

 

All types of energy are expensive, so if you want heat you need to pay for it, and electricity is the most expensive.

 

I'd be going gas fueled space heater(s) if it was me, or better still insulate the building.

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

Get plenty of layers on, have the space heater on for 5-10 min to take the edge off then as long as you are cracking on with something then you stay acceptably warm. Well that's my strategy anyway. 5 gallon of red diesel for my space heater will do me a 12 month period usually.

[barneys66 122 1 Cars]

Agree, Tom - that's my current practice. Flicking the kerosene heater on and off is a bit of a faff and mine is very aggressive and I'm also slightly paranoid about the emmissions (must be getting old..).

 

Jack you're right, but inefficient heat is more expensive still - the cost of insulating the workshop is not viable or economical based on the cost of heating a localised area.

 

This is the kind of thing I'm talking about - portable so can be wheeled to wherever I'm working.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RHINO-Modern-Freestanding-Electric-Grill/dp/B00FVAY80M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479923423&sr=8-2&keywords=rhino+heaters

 

 

 

My current heater;

 

 

 

My half of a shared workshop;

 

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

With the size of that you are pissing in the wind. I'd buy a new hat and another 10 gallon of red if I were you!

[barneys66 122 1 Cars]

With the size of that you are pissing in the wind. I'd buy a new hat and another 10 gallon of red if I were you!

 

That's another problem altogether!

 

The infrared heaters heat the object not the air, hence the thought that they'd be ideal to park a metre away from my legs..

 

I've read a couple of comments online though that people complain of headaches in use - maybe they're microwaving your noggin..?!

[welshpug 1,657]

gotta agree with tom, a space like that you just need to layer up.

 

I can highly recommend a set of dickies overalls, I have the padded waterproof type, ideal for a welsh forest with just a base layer underneath, or a damp tin shed working on landrovers.

 

if its a dry environment then I would go for the non waterproof type as they are hardier, less likely to tear, also much easier to wash.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=dickies%20padded%20overalls&rt=nc&LH_PrefLoc=1&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

[Biggles 65]

I've got an oil filled rad and an IR heater (smaller than the one above) in a 4 car sized space and they do the job quite nicely. The IR one is really very warm if you're within a metre of it. Mine has three 600W elements. I'd have thought that if you had the one above within a couple of metres of you it ought to keep the chill off. Can't comment on running cost - if I'm cold I turn it on !

[barneys66 122 1 Cars]

Thanks Mei - have added those to my Christmas list irrespectively!

 

Biggles - that's exactly what I'm hoping, thanks. Something I can wheel up next to me wherever I am, though not sure the one I posted above will be any good if lying under a car.

 

Maybe I should therefore buy a two-post lift too..?!

[welshpug 1,657]

goes without saying

[Kane 34]

Given the size of the space could you not knock up an enclosure, timber frame for example, then wrap in plastic. Your space heater would warm that up within minutes and as long as you don't have any gaping holes it should keep the heat in alright. Wouldn't have to be anything too substantial as its indoors, plus you could make use of the exisitng internal posts.

[camgti 56]

Just Fyi

 

I have a few cafes here in Oz and during winter (yes it gets down to 5drg putside some mornings) and we use the infra red heaters on the awnings and roof to blast stright fown on people if there cold.

 

As you said they heat what they are directed at.

Although your space is big if you were to put it near you you will definitly feel the warmth.

 

They come in many sizes and prices!

 

I totally get what your needing. I say go for it. Just be safe as usual!

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Similar to Kane's idea, although portable, buy a big gazebo, the ones with sides, and blow a gas heater into it. You could move it around to go over whatever car you're working on.

 

I'm assuming it's a hobby btw.

 

Make sure you buy a light coloured one if you do so you minimise artificial lighting requiements.

 

-8 deg here again this morn at my back door.

 

I got a cheap pair of ski trousers from Aldi a few years ago that I sometimes wear, but I always wear thermal long johns, thermals/fleeces, a thick beanie, and......a thermal snood! Which is excellent.

 

I'll never win a fashion contest but the only part of me that gets cold is my hands.

 

There is also a type of boiler suit you get called a "cold store suit", for people who work in large fridges, they look good, but maybe restrict mobility a little.

 

Roll on Spring!

[welshpug 1,657]

Perfect way to administer carbon monoxide poisoning..

 

definitely wouldn't recommend that!

[barneys66 122 1 Cars]

Thanks again for all the suggestions guys. Yes a hobby and unfortunately all the cars need work and I'm often over at the bench too, so ease of portability (and non-poisoning) is essential.

 

Have dug out the winter walking gear and will wear that under some regular overalls until I get some of the fleece-lined ones above.

 

Going to see if I can borrow an IR heater to see if they're suitable, and will report back.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

here's a coldstore suit

 

http://www.totalworkwear.co.uk/workwear-thermal-clothing/coldstore-coverall-cs12.html

[GLPoomobile 958]

-8 deg here again this morn at my back door.

 

 

 

 

Surely not! Really? It's chilly over here in Edinburgh but we've only just tipped below freezing. BBC forecast for Glasgow says -4 at the worst overnight.

 

I have a perfect way of keeping warm at this time of year. I stay in doors and do feck all.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Surely not! Really? It's chilly over here in Edinburgh but we've only just tipped below freezing. BBC forecast for Glasgow says -4 at the worst overnight.

 

I have a perfect way of keeping warm at this time of year. I stay in doors and do feck all.

Yeah -8 this morning. I fitted a thermometer a few days ago in my garden, and that's what it read first thing this morn. BBC weather said it had to go to -6 yesterday, for during the night. And the met office said it was to be -4.8 at their nearest observation point to me, so my thermometer isn't tooo far away.

 

It's to be -3 tonight, so we'll prob dig the barbecue out!

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

I have a perfect way of keeping warm at this time of year. I stay in doors and do feck all.

What's this "this time of year" about ??

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

GLP, here's a pic I just took of the roof of a car

 

[ALEX 98 1 Cars]

Our company has invested in the Clark 371P for the workers on the shop floor.

There has been numerous complaints about them as unless your stood exactly 3 foot away on a rotary table like a kebab they are pretty much useless.

I found out while talking to the guys on the shop that If you have loose fitting clothes the material gets very hot after awhile but you don't notice until you walk away.

Guys on the shop floor have been pranking each other by running up behind someone trying to get warm and pulling their overalls tight from behind.

Edited November 24, 2016 by ALEX

[GLPoomobile 958]

What's this "this time of year" about ??

I bloody knew someone would chip in with that! It's a fair comment, I have no defense.

[toolie72 67 1 Cars]

Pah!! Come up to the highlands, where you can't pick a piece of steel up cos its frozen to the ground

 

Softies