Infrared heaters

[Dr.Jass]

Anyone here have any experience with them?

One of my customers came in last week and mentioned these things; after talking a while and doing a little research online they seem almost too good to be true... a box 14"x15"x11" that can comfortably heat 1000-1500 square feet, for under $2 a day? At current fuel-oil prices, it's over $3/day to keep my garage warm--and it's fully insulated. If these things really are what they're cracked up to be, why the hell am I spending this much and wasting a bunch of floor space with a full-size house furnace in my 676-square-foot garage?

Experience, commentary, or ideas?

 

[Jester]

experience: if it sounds to good to be true, try it anyway. After you realize you got gypped, watch some wicked porn and forgive yourself.

 

[Dr.Jass]

It's a $300 experiment. At current fuel-oil prices, that's less than the cost of a minimum delivery (100 gallons), but if it works it's well worth it. 100 gallons is less than 3.5 months, and that's assuming I'm not out there much.

As far as the porn: I'm afraid I'll shoot myself in the eye.

 

[restoman]

We've got overhead radiant heat in the shop. They're the long tube style - don't go there Jester :naughty: - not sure if they're the same as infrared.
They work great. The first year we had them the gas bills were $400 less over the winter and the shop was warmer. They work best if there is lots of stuff in the shop to absorb the heat - not a problem in your garage.

 

[68R/T]

The radiant tubes like Restoman described were used in the warehouse where I used to work. Like resto said, it heats objects, not air.
Another advantage is, when you're laying on the creeper passed out, the radiance will keep you warm.

 

[J.C. Corbett]

I've seen 'em used in a lot of body shops. Warm cars are easy to paint.:giggedy: I think you'll like it.

 

[restoman]

Doc, one very important thing I forgot to mention is that you can turn the heat down pretty low when you're not there, crank it up when you arrive and within a half hour or so, it'll be comfy in the shop.

Short of in-floor heating, I don't think there is anything better. Unless, of course, your shop is in the Bahamas.

 

[v8440]

Fixed.

experience: if it sounds to good to be true, try it anyway. After you realize you got gypped, watch some wicked porn and relieve yourself.