Best 5 Propane Garage & Shop Heater For Sale In 2022 Reviews
If you are looking for the best and most efficient way to heat your garage, shop, or any space that is difficult to heat when winter strikes, then you might be interested in buying a propane garage heater.
This review aims to provide you with examples of the best propane garage and shop heater currently available and their extensive reviews. Read it through in order to find the best propane heater for your garage.
How To Choose A Propane Garage Heater?
What Are Propane Heaters?
There are many different types of garage and space heaters. The three main ones are electric, natural gas and propane. They differ from each other by the way they produce heat. Unlike electric and natural gas, propane heaters use liquid propane as a fuel for creating heat.
Types Of Propane Heaters
There are three subcategories of propane heater according to the way they distribute heat. These are radiant, convection and forced-air propane heaters. Radiant heaters use radiant heat waves that warm the surrounding objects. Convection heaters usually use the blue flame, and forced air heaters blow out hot air, similar to blow dryers.
Benefits And Disadvantages
The good thing about propane garage heaters is that they’re very energy efficient when compared to other types of heaters. The units are well-constructed and durable and you don’t need to worry about refueling. However, they need a lot more upkeep and can be quite dangerous if not vented correctly due to toxic fumes.
Propane Heater’s Heat Output
When buying any type of heater you have to check its thermal output. Propane heaters use British Thermal Units (BTU) to measure the amount of heat production. This number can range anywhere from 30 000 to 150 000 BTUs per hour. The number you want usually depends on the size of the space that requires heating.
Features To Look For
Since propane heaters can be potentially dangerous there are certain safety features that you should look for when buying this type of heater. Make sure your heater has a tip-over switch that shuts it off if it falls. To prevent overheating most heaters have an automatic shut-off. To regulate levels of carbon dioxide look for ODS or Oxygen Depletion Sensor.
Top 5 Best Propane Garage & Shop Heaters
Best Portable Propane Garage Heater
Dura Heat TT-360 Propane Heater
Ease Of Use
This heater has small dimensions (8.9 inches in length and width; 20 inches in height) and it is very lightweight. This makes it easily portable and easy to use. To install it, you need to connect it to a propane tank which can range anywhere from 20 to 100 lbs.
Thermal Output
Despite its size, this portable propane garage heater is quite powerful. It produces up to 40 000 BTUs per hour. This amount of heat is sufficient for heating large areas up to 1000 square feet. This is great if you have a large garage, workshop or basement.
Heat Settings
The drawback of this 40 000 BTU propane garage heater is its lack of temperature range. It offers only three heat settings and your options are restricted in temperature regulation. However, this heater is designed to radiate heat 360°, this way distributing heat evenly around the room.
Run Time
If you choose to connect your heater to a 20lb propane tank, then an average run time on a full tank would be 14 hours. This shows how efficient this heater as it can provide you heat throughout the day. It does, however, lack electronic ignition like other propane heaters so use a match or lighter to start it.
Safety Features
Since garages and shops are often full of combustible items, it’s a good thing this heater has tip-over protection. This ensures that the unit turns off so it doesn’t create a fire or interact with any combustible items which can be very dangerous.
- Lightweight and portable
- Runs 14 hours on 20lb tank
- Tip-over switch
- 3 heat settings
Best Ceiling-Mounted Propane Heater
Mr. Heater Propane Unit Heater 80,000 BTU/Hr. MHU80LP
Large Heating Capacity
Mr. Heater ceiling mounted propane garage heater is very powerful. The 80 000 BTUs per hour are enough to heat very large spaces up to 1000 square feet. It is a perfectly reliable and durable heat source that can be used all year long.
Ceiling-Mounted
There are mounting brackets provided with the Modine Hot Dawg propane heater in order to install it to your ceiling and make it a hanging heater. However, a 1-inch clearance is required. To install it, just plug it into external access of power and make the required thermostat connection. After that is done you can enjoy pleasant heat.
Durability And Warranty
This propane ceiling heater is well constructed and features a durable spark ignition. The Mr. Heater model also has a self-diagnostic control mode which makes it an even better investment. Due to this, the heater comes with a 3-year warranty on parts and a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger.
High-Velocity Fan
This is a forced-air propane heater for garage. Built into the unit of this heater is a large fast fan that runs on electricity. It extracts the cool air and pulls it into the unit through the heat exchanger. Finally, this produces hot air that is blown into the room.
Venting Possibilities
This overhead propane heater requires 115v of power. As far as venting is concerned, this heater can be vented both vertically through the roof or horizontally through a wall. Before venting any garage heater you have to check if your local codes allow it and what are the restrictions.
- Ceiling-mount bracket included
- Vertical and horizontal venting
- Self-diagnostic control module
- 80 000 BTU propane garage heater
Most Efficient Propane Garage Heater
Modine HD30AS0121 Hot Dawg Heater 30,000 BTU
Simple Design
There is not a lot that can be said about the design of this 30 000 BTU propane heater. Modine heaters usually have a very simple, industrial design – a box metal casing 12 inches high and 26 inches wide. It is covered with baked-on polyester paint to protect it from corrosion.
Installation And Mounting
The Modine heater is meant to be an overhead propane heater. The necessary mounting hardware is included with the heater – use the two angle brackets to securely attach it to your ceiling and provide a one-inch clearance. This is also very convenient because this large heater would be in the way if it was free-standing. Professional installation is required.
Silent Operation
You are not going to even notice the HD30 while it is operating. The unit produces minimal noise but still produces large amounts of heat, which is important if you are using it in a place where you do a lot of your work. You don’t have to worry about unnecessary distractions.
Motor And Heat Exchanger
This heater is constructed with durable quality components. The heavy-duty motor is permanently lubricated before ever leaving the factory, which means you don’t have to oil it additionally. This saves money on maintenance. The steel heat exchanger is aluminized and has a 10-year warranty.
Power Venting
As for venting, this heater utilizes a power venting system. This type of venting carries the flue exhaust from the heater and pushes it back outside the unit. It doesn’t require complicated installation. Electrical knockouts also save money on installation.
- Quiet operation
- Durable motor and heat exchanger
- Power-vented
- Low maintenance costs
Best Vented Propane Garage Heater With Thermostat
Martin Direct Vent Propane Wall Heater
Adjustable Thermostat
For maximum control over the heating process, the Martin vented propane garage heater has a built-in thermostat. The thermostat is adjustable, meaning you can regulate the temperature however you please to create the perfect ambient for your room.
Blue Flame
This is a convection type heater which means that it operates using blue flame technology. Not only is the blue flame efficient in producing generous amounts of heat, but it is also aesthetically pleasing. To enhance the overall look, the unit features an exclusive ceramic window that reveals the flame.
Quality Certified Construction
This is a heavy-duty safe propane garage heater that operates on 11 000 BTU/hr. Its design is of high quality and made to last. The large metal grill is protected with die-cast aluminum and it allows for optimal heat flow. It is the USA and Canada certified.
Modern Design
The overall look of this garage heater is modern and stylish. The ceramic window tastefully exposes the blue flame that adds a nice touch to any room. It has an elegant, simple fireplace design. On top of that, it is highly energy-efficient so you won’t lose money.
Easy To Install
The installation process for this propane heater is a piece of cake. Simply connect the heater to the gas fitter and install it on your wall. It requires very little maintenance and heats spaces quickly and efficiently. Before installing just check the thickness of your walls (it should be 11.5-32 cm).
- Blue flame with ceramic window
- Adjustable thermostat
- Stylish fireplace design
- Die-cast aluminum grill
Best Ventless Propane Garage Heater
Dyna-Glo IR18PMDG Propane Infrared Vent Free Heater
No Electricity
The Dyna-Glo is a safe propane heater to use in the garage. It utilizes infrared technology that mimics the sun – it heats objects, not the air. You’re safe for heating even in an event of a power outage because this heater doesn’t require electricity to operate. It’s a good heater to have in emergencies.
Can Be Upgraded
The Dyna-Glo comes with all the necessary hardware that you will need to install this heater. It comes with a bracket for wall mounting for quick and easy installation. Moreover, if you would like to customize this heater a bit more, you can purchase optional base legs for floor mounting and quiet blower fan to heat a larger area.
Vent-Free
Unlike the Martin vented propane shop heater, the Dyna-Glo does not require venting at all, nor a flue or chimney. This makes installation even easier and more effortless because all you need to do is turn it on and enjoy the heat produced. It is 99.9% energy efficient and operates solely on liquid propane.
Safety Features
To prevent any potentially dangerous situation often related to propane heaters, this model is equipped with the necessary safety features. It has Oxygen Depletion Sensor which immediately turns the unit off if it detects high levels of carbon monoxide or low levels of oxygen.
Customize Your Heat
This ventless propane garage heater offers variable control knobs that you can use to customize and regulate the temperature of the heat however you like. It has a low, medium and high setting and can heat up to 700 square feet with its 18 000 BTU/hr.
- Optional base legs and fan
- Oxygen depletion sensor
- No venting required
Conclusion: The Two Top Picks For Propane Garage & Shop Heaters
Out of all the heater mentioned in this review, the two best propane garage heaters would have to be the Martin Direct Vent Propane Wall Heater and the Modine Hot Dawg propane heater HD30AS0121. The Martin Direct Vent provides high energy efficiency with sleek fireplace design with a blue flame. The Modine Hot Dawg has a quality, sturdy motor and heat exchanger which provides powerful, yet silent operation.
If you would like to read more reviews on garage heaters you’ll find all you need to know here. We also have made reviews of gas garage heaters and 120v electric garage heaters here.