Got cheap way to heat garage. Good idea or just plain stupid

[vehementSPL 10+ year member]

I recently rented a garage. I have looked through many heating options and I am pretty set on just doing electric. I have looked at cost per 100,000 btu. Wood is out of the question as well as natural gas. Electric is the cheapest out of all other options other than kerosene (To buy it by the gallon doesn't seem extremely easy to find and other than that the fumes). And honestly kerosene actually becomes more expensive than electric when it reaches 3.14 a gallon(and that is figured at 10 cents per KWH which I believe indy is considerably cheaper so might actually be something like 2 to 2.50 a gallon equil. of heat per gallon of kerosene. Either way back to original point. I have been looking locally in indy and EVERYWHERE Is sold out of cheap basic portable heaters (had a few cold weeks) EVERYWHERE says it is seasonal and prob not getting anymore. I think I found 1 for under 20 dollars and that was just 1 unit left I am using a few. Now Here is where it comes in. mounting blow dryers somewhere and using them. cheap and 1875 watts!!! prob 1800 watts of heat. (which electric is 100 percent efficient in the terms of heat) so approx 6200 but per unit. Question is how long can you leave a hair dryer on. LONG time on lower settings or? I know this sound stupid but I can pick them up about 10 dollars each when I am looking at 30 plus min per reg heater. thoughts? I know would be noisy but that is fine. so great idea or major flop and explain why

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[oldschool4me 10+ year member]

they over heat rather quickly.

 

[haunther]

lol

 

[vehementSPL 10+ year member]

they over heat rather quickly.

ha ha even on lower settings. and found my local rate. would be the equivalent of paying about 2.30 a gal for kero. Nice and cheap. I mean I suppose I can order a reg heater off ebay. But I like shopping locally. any other input? people tried it?

 

[chereck04 10+ year member]

How big of a garage space are you trying to heat?

I think you're better off buying an electric heater from northern tool or something like that, shipping won't take too long. They're cheap, and with the use of a box fan, can heat up my 1100sq. ft. garage from freezing to ~50 degreees in about an hour and a half.

 

[vehementSPL 10+ year member]

Naw. checked them out. Cheapest they have is 30. Cost is an issue also has to be 110v. That is what is in the garage and I don't want to do any wiring. I can find them locally for 30 or less. but I am considering this blow dryer idea lol should stay cooler because of cooler air going in

 

[vehementSPL 10+ year member]

600sq ft or so. I don't need it heated. just enough 45 to 50 ish max. I am comfortable in that temp. Just not cold temps we get in indy

 

[quins90lac 10+ year member]

what about a waste oil heater they run off of used motor oil . if you don't have any you could always try going around you some automotive shops and ask them for their used oil .some will even pay you to take it away for them or give it to you you might get some that will want to charge you for it but the cost would probably be relatively cheap

 

[vehementSPL 10+ year member]

although I really do appreciate the ideas. I have covered all aspects and done a lot of research on this and I really would prefer to go electric. so back to orig topic again. I appreciate you offering idea though

 

[HypnoticCure 10+ year member]

dont use blow dryers.... just spend the money on a electric heater, if you can get one for $30 then whats the issue? thats cheap... buy 3 and be toasty...

 

[thehardknoxlife 10+ year member]

Why is wood out of the question? Seems to me like you'd find a old wood stove. I just bought one last month for like $60. It's old, but it works well. You can also cook on it.

 

[sexiewasd 10+ year member]

Waste oil heat is great. They heat very well and it's FREE HEAT! There are a couple down sides though, shops around you may not always have spare waste oil, so you would have to store a good amount in tanks or drums. They also require regular cleaning and will go out randomly a few times a year without warning, most of the time at night. If you have water in the garage, a backup furnace is necessary.

 

[orangecounty1 10+ year member]

lol @ blow dryers

 

[alvitae 10+ year member]

I see sparks, flames and panic in your future....

 

[infamous_e46 5,000+ posts]

No propane heaters ?