Recommedations for industrial heaters to warm a workshop?

[David Rowland]

whats your roof like? is it flat or v-shaped… do u have a lot of it to warm up?

[Richard.Peirce]

its angled down from the back at the highest point, but flat. There’s a small mezzanine floor for the desk area, then the floor area for the vehicle, so the lower half needs to be up to temperature.

[Martin Pearson]

Depends what you want to spend but if you are looking fairly long term then this post is worth reading through

http://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … 7&start=60

[Richard.Peirce]

Thanks Martin, I had a look at that thread, but my problem is I’m limited to what I can use for the unit I’m looking at. For one, it doesn’t have a 3 phase supply, so I can only use a 3kw max on a 240v supply.
Speaking to 2 different suppliers of heaters, I need about 4kw, so apparently I could use 2 x 3kw heaters to get to temperature, where as another said I’d need alot more for the area, more like 25kw, which would need a 3 phase! So I think 2 x 3kw could work. Any thoughts anyone?

[Jason Thorpe]

25Kw would be a massive overkill for 516 sq/ft. Your heating requirement will have more to do with how well insulated the unit is too. Lots of insulation means you’ll need a lot less heating power. If the unit’s only got a corrugated sheet roof then you’ll need twice as much heat most of which will be disappearing outside.
If the unit is well insulated then 2 x 3Kw heaters will be easily adequate.

[Denise Goodfellow]

when we first started we worked in a garage, with corrugated roof.

we suffered from condensation dripping and cold.

we got someone to come out and spray foam the roof, took no more than an hr and cost about £400, we could tell the difference straight away.

[Alan Drury]

Regardless of which method of heating you use I would spend time and money sorting the insulation of your building, in the long run it will work out cheaper and be a more comfortable working environment.
Alan D

[Martin Pearson]

Like others have said insulation is important as you will require a smaller unit to heat the unit & will save on your electric costs. You will have to decide for yourself how much you are prepared to spend which is going to depend on things like the amount of time you see yourself being there. No point spending a fortune for top end insulation if you only see this as a temporary home until you find a more suitable unit or you can only negotiate a short lease.
Heat pumps wouldn’t be so much of a problem as it would be pretty easy to remove & take with you when you left. I am guessing that the suppliers you have been speaking to have both given you different heating options, The second supplier who suggested you would need 25kw odd is probably talking about conventional electric type heating as opposed to heat pumps.

[Jason Thorpe]

quote Denise Goodfellow:

when we first started we worked in a garage, with corrugated roof.

we suffered from condensation dripping and cold.

we got someone to come out and spray foam the roof, took no more than an hr and cost about £400, we could tell the difference straight away.

You can also buy kits to do this yourself. Just google ‘spray foam insulation or something like that. You’d also be surprised at how effective just tin foil and bubble wrap can be although it can be time consuming and just awkward to do.

[John Ashbee]

How about a little wood burner in the corner to take the chill off? and use up those old pallets that are knocking about!
Easy to fit, you DON’T need to use a hetas registered fitter if you read Part J regs and get the local council to inspect and sign it off, Ive just done that and our local council charge £159 to check it..
(and roasted chestnuts)
John

[Martin Pearson]

quote John Ashbee:

How about a little wood burner in the corner to take the chill off? and use up those old pallets that are knocking about!
Easy to fit, you DON’T need to use a hetas registered fitter if you read Part J regs and get the local council to inspect and sign it off, Ive just done that and our local council charge £159 to check it..
(and roasted chestnuts)
John

I doubt it would produce enough heat John, probably ok if you just want to take the chill off as you have said but it probably wouldn’t be anywhere near enough for vehicle wrapping which is the purpose of the unit I believe.

[David Rogers]

at 516 sq/ft – I make that the same as 23 foot square by maybe the same again in height if you have a second floor / mezzanine.

Properly insulated it could be easily heated (workable not hot) with a two 3kw fan heaters.

OK, the double height building doubles the air volume.

Failing that at small ‘space heater’ http://spaceheaters.co.uk/Product/Propane

these work a treat!!

site has a BTU calculator.

Dave

[Martin Pearson]

No gas allowed Dave from initial post.