166 Re: Suggestions for heating a shop.
Description
This article is from the Woodworking FAQ Collection 5, by multiple authors.
166 Re: Suggestions for heating a shop.
From: billf@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com (Bill F. Faus)
Date: 2 Dec 89 00:36:03 GMT
I have a 2400 sq ft shop just waiting for gorgeous tools. It's got
a 50K BTU electric furnace attached to a thermostat that can be set
as low as 45-degrees Fahr. I'm told this is the lowest temp at
which you can keep moisture from condensing onto metal. Although
wild temp swings seem to make any large heat sink sweat. I don't
use the furnace much, because it makes me dizzy to watch the
meter spin.
I'm a wood stove fan and have recently looked into upgrading a stove
in my house. There are a few catalytic stoves that will burn for
12 hours or more. Since you don't need 65-degree warmth for your tools,
a catalytic on low could be one possiblity. Pellet stoves offer
even longer unattended periods. Of course, you can't beat a large
electric furnace with thermostat, and ducting to critical areas.
I'd also consider a dehumidifier. A combination of a pellet stove,
dehumidifier, and strict attention to wheatherization would be
my suggestion.
As for cheap, I imagine old propane/gas/electric furnaces culled
from a junkyard would be a best bet.
Once nice thing about wood heat is that if you are burning
air from inside, you create a vacuum in the building and draw
in cold dry air from outside. With a woodstove you've got
to ADD moisture to keep your skin from drying out.
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