Best Garage Heater Reviews 2018

Garage heaters are investments and their price tags say just that. Sure, there are cheap garage heaters, but many times the cheap ones aren’t worth it and can cause more harm than good. One of the most important factors when choosing a garage heater is the size of your garage.

You need a heater that will adequately heat your space in a reasonable amount of time. Buying one that is too large will understandably produce too much heat; buying one that is too small will not produce enough. Besides size, another important factor to consider when choosing a garage heater is the type.

There are three types of garage heaters: natural gas, propane, and electric. The natural gas heater is the least expensive to run, while the electric types are the most expensive. When it comes to price, you can get a good, quality garage heater for $150 on the low end and $500 on the high end, with some even going above that for larger areas.

Different types of garage heaters offer different types of features, but here are the features to look for in every garage heater:

• Safety - Safety is key when it comes to garage heaters, and safety features are essential for a long-lasting heater. Things such as overheat protection and a tip-over switch are lifesavers when it comes to safety features.
• Cool-touch Handle – Moving around your heater will be made easy with a strong and cool-to-the-touch handle which will prevent you from burning yourself.
• Thermostat - Having a built-in thermostat to monitor your garage’s temperature will make using your heater that much easier.
• Adjustable Louvers - These allow you to direct the heat to a particular place which makes for quick heating of any particular spot.
• Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) - This automatically shuts down your heater if oxygen levels drop too low. It’s especially great for vent-free gas heaters.
• British Thermal Units (BTU) - This measures how much heat the heater puts out.
• Power Cord - If you opt for an electric heater, having one with a long power cord allows for flexibility and easier use.

We mentioned before that there are three types of garage heaters: electric, propane, and natural gas. When shopping for a heater, it’s important to consider which of these three heater types you want to use. But after you’ve decided on the main type, you also need to consider if you want it installed or for it to be portable. Whether a heater is installable or portable will affect its size and overall design. Installed models are typically somewhat larger than the portable models and lack handles since you won’t have to move them around.

Another design factor to consider is vent design. This doesn’t refer to overall ventilation which is essential when using any heater—especially natural gas and propane because of the fumes they produce—but rather the vents on the front of the heater. Some models come with vents which you can use to direct heat in any particular area. Other models, typically gas heaters, are vent-less which allows for faster heating, but these models also require increased maintenance.

Two main considerations you should take into account when looking for a new garage heater are whether it’s installable or portable, and what type it is. Below, we go into more detail on each factor; take a look!

Installable Vs. Portable

Installable heaters offer their own benefits such as less space taken up in your garage and no risk of tipping them over. However, the installation of these heaters can carry an additional cost if you’re not so handy with tools or unable to install them. They are also fixed in one area, which may be a drawback for you depending on your circumstances.

Portable heaters, on the other hand, do not require any installation and offer maneuverability; however, they do take up additional space in your garage and pose the risk of being tipped over. This is where a tip-over switch will come in handy, especially if you’re using a gas or propane heater.

Type

When it comes to the three types of heaters, electric garage heaters are the most expensive to run (depending on the cost of electricity in your area), but require the least maintenance and are the easiest to install. In addition, because they are powered by electricity, you won’t have to deal with fuel, natural gas, or refill tanks.

Electric heaters are often wall-mountable, which reduces the risk of tip-over, and are usually built to be light and compact and operate quite silently. Besides being expensive to run, another major drawback of electric heaters is that if there’s a power outage then they can’t be used, which may be an important factor if you live in an area prone to power outages.

Natural gas heaters, on the other hand, are the least expensive to run. They heat up quite quickly and can warm up a large space in no time. On top of that, if power is gone, they can still run and keep your garage warm. A major con of a natural gas heater, though, is lack of proper ventilation can cause toxic fumes to go into your garage. They also require a bit of maintenance to clear combustible gases. These heaters use an open flame and leave an odor as well, which may or may not be a deal breaker for you.

The middle child of these three heaters is the propane heater. These heaters, like the natural gas models, use an open flame with propane fuel to heat your space. They are quite efficient and durable. Moreover, they will heat up your garage quickly. Similar to gas heaters, these models require proper ventilation and for combustible gases to be cleared for safe use.

They also leave an odor and the operation cost depends on the cost of gas prices at any given time. The price of a gas fitter should also be taken into consideration when budgeting for a propane heater. It’s also important to note that they have a tendency to kick up dust, so bear that in mind when making your choice.

Overall, each of these three heaters offers something different and can work great depending on the size of your garage, where you live, your budget, and its intended purpose.