Shop heating ideas

[DaveB]

I'm in the process of re-siding and insulating the shop, including sheeting the interior with 3/8 osb or similar, and insulating the ceiling as well. This should make it much more comfortable for winter.

Now I'm thinking about ways to heat it. The first thing that came to mind was a wood stove, since there's already an old one there, but the fire insurance implications are making me look in other directions. I was toying with the idea of an old oil furnace from a house, or perhaps some sort of electric radiant.

Here's the catch... can't cost more than a few hundred dollars, and the shop size is 32 x 40 x 12 feet.

What do you do in your shop? Any ideas would be appreciated.

thanks, Dave

[ANDYD]

Hi Dave,

One of your easiest options would be electric base board heaters. You can often get them "used" from auctions or craigslist or "house demo" sales. A couple of eight footers wood keep you shop cosy if you can insulate the shop fairly well.
Thermostats can be internal on the heater or wall mounted nearby.
you would need a good sub breaker panel with a couple of spare breaker positions for the supply.
Intallation would only take a couple of hours and they are safe and reliable, no fumes or fuel involved.

cheers,
Andy

[Rob]

Hi Dave

I fellow I used to work for on the prairies built himself a large wood burner from some old oil tanks. He was able to burn 4 foot logs and found it to be very satisfactory for heating a large shop. It was a double-decker model that he cut-up and welded from scrapped oil furnace tanks (cost for the raw materials should be low). I realize that wood burning appliances are inherently dangerous so you might want to consider an outside burner (essentially a woodstove in a shed) with a recirculating hotwater heat system. Again, can be built with salvaged materials. A good source of info about heating shops can be found on the DVD library from the Prairie Farm Report http://www.farmvideos.com/ .

Something I suggest is to be cautious with OSB because it is highly flammable (I have used it in fire training to simulate flash-over fires). Personally I'd go with drywall which is far better for fire resistance but if you are going to use the OSB (or plywood which is a little less flammable) consider putting a fire-barrrier epoxy paint on it.

Regards, Rob
Ladysmith

[DaveB]

Thanks guys,

I'll check on replacements for the osb. It's just so much easier to install than drywall, but you're right, it may create a hazard, especially if I go with any flame based heating.

Dave

[shawn doherty]

You really should sheet your walls and ceiling in 5/8" fireguard drywall. It’s easy to install, as easy as OSB and when you tape your joints it creates an additional air barrier which is important in your neighbourhood. As well it will reflect light so much better and is an effective fire assembly unlike OSB. If you need help I have all the tools and skills just don't tell anyone. The only economical way to heat is through free fuel which leaves you with wood. It should be easy to make a fire barrier around the stove as necessary with some metal and good housekeeping. Don’t forget you need combustion air for your stove as well.

[4X4Pete]

YES A Old OIL burning furnace I recently seen a AD for KMS was selling a crude oil furnace Burn used Motor oil ect diesel fuel ect Could look into that Converting A Home Oil furnance to Burn Used Oil ???? :?:

[4X4Pete]

Hey I was looking thru a other Web site & seen this Info On Shop Heating Thought I would Pass it along HTTP://www.geocities.com/wastewatts/babington.html
it has some Info & blueprints & Notes on Home Made Converted Home Furnances to Heat from Burning Oil Ect

[nakedbarra]

Hay Dave give it a couple of months and you will be looking for an air conditioner.