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Featuring picks from Mr. Heater, Dewalt, Heat Storm, and more.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
We also spoke to Fournier, who offered deeper insight on how to choose the best garage heater.
It does not come with a gas hose.
Lightweight and portable, theMr.
Credit: Amazon
Its designed to heat spaces up to 450 square feet.
The runtime is just over three hours on low and close to two hours on high.
It was noticeably more effective at heating the garage than the 110-volt infrared room heater we used previously.
We found it fairly quiet for apropane heater, even with the fan running.
And we would have preferred a longer cord so we could have more room to move it around.
The higher the Btu rating, the more powerful the heater.
The heater does not have a built-in thermostat.
In just five minutes, theMr.
The heater also has handles for easy carrying.
There are no precise temperature control options.
In our tests, we were able to feel the heaters warming effects in athree-car garagewithin minutes.
The heater automatically turns off if it tips over, which is a nice safety feature.
As long as we remained within 10 feet of the heater, we were able to feel the heat.
Our favorite aspect is that the heater doesnt have a fan, making it virtually silent.
During testing, we found that the heater effectively maintained the temperature at 50F.
We found that it made a quiet hum when running that didnt drown out conversation or music.
Installation is a bit more complicated, as the heaterneeds to be hardwiredwith the help of an electrician.
This heater requires lots of ventilation, which might not always be possible in cold, winter months.
We supplied our own gas hose to connect the propane tank to the unit.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Patrick McGowan
Its powered by electricity with backup 20-volt max batteries, making it great for blackouts or to take camping.
(Note: We did not test the battery feature.)
Its powerful, featuring 68,000 Btuenough to heat a three-car garage in the wintertime.
We liked that it heated the space quickly on a snowy, 11F day.
On cold days, the heater might take a while to warm up.
It comes in limited color options.
it’s possible for you to also setyour preferred temperaturevia the remote or the touchscreen panel on the body.
We thought it might be better suited for camping or tailgating.
We tested this heater in 4F weather and it took just 15 minutes to warm the entire garage significantly.
But because it runs on kerosene or diesel, having ventilation is a must to remove carbon monoxide fumes.
If youre intimidated by fuel-powered heaters, this one is not for you.
If you want a fast way to raise garage temperatures, however, its one to consider.
We also noted outside temperature and weather conditions (snow, wind, rain, sun, etc.)
and how many vehicles were in the garage.
We assessed safety features including timers, tip-over auto-off, exterior temperature of the gadget, and overheat protection.
For electric models, we noted any changes in our energy bill and energy consumption during the testing period.
Gas heaters are more cost-efficient but not as easy to set up.
The space should also be well-ventilated to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
Portable gas heaters run on propane, kerosene, or diesel.
Power Source
Garage heaters are typically powered bygas or electricity.
Your garage should be well-ventilated to avoid buildup from carbon monoxide and other toxic gas.
Some electric models have to be hardwired or mounted on a wall or ceiling, which needs professional expertise.
Also, gas garage heaters fueled by natural gas require anatural gas line.
This minimizes the risk of malfunctions or safety hazards associated with DIY installations.
The heater requires a gas hose to connect to the propane tank, and you’ll likely need an extension cord due to the short power cord.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Lucas Peters
Gas heaters are generally considered to be more energy-efficient than electric heaters.
How many Btu are necessary for heating a two-car garage?
As a general rule, the bigger the area, the more Btu are needed to heat it.
The average 500- to 700-foot, two-car garage needs around 45,000 Btu.
How much does it cost to install a garage heater?
If youre on a budget, there are portable garage heaters you might buy for around $100.
Expect to pay more for larger models or those that have to be hardwired by an electrician.
The heater can only be set horizontally, which may limit its placement in some garages.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Hildara Araya
The heater displays the temperature and an LED light indicates that it’s on.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Kelly Lewis
The heater should be used with ventilation.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Jodi Espinosa
An LED display shows the temperature in the garage.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Mike Navarro
Credit:Amazon
Credit:Amazon
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
