How do you keep your workshop warm?

[UKRay]

The time has come to expand my workspace. It only seems a few minutes ago that I moved into a huge space but now it is overflowing and I need more room. I'm planning to erect a timber frame building in my yard but have concerns about heating it in the winter. I know that many of you guys have amazing workspaces in some pretty wild places but how do you keep them warm enough to work and still manage to pay the heating bills?

Do you rely on good insulation? What sort of heater do you have? Have you designed your building to conserve heat? What did you do?

Any suggestions before I start building would be very helpful and I thank you for your time.

Ray

[TwinOaks]

Depending on your budget, you might consider geothermal heating and cooling. The ground (deep) stays at a fairly constant temperature year round. One way to do it is to install pipes fairly deeply, at least 15 meters, then route the pipes through the internal walls/floor of your structure. Once that is done, it's simply a matter of circulation. In the winter, the ground (and piped water) is warmer than ambient air temp, and in the summer it's cooler. After the initial installation, you essentially only have to pay for the power to run a pump. It's on a closed circuit (same water keeps going around and 'round). I don't think you'd have a balmy 80 degrees or any such, but mid to upper 60s (F) doesn't seem too outlandish.

Likewise in the summer, it wouldn't be the same as an AC, but it'd be a good start.

[rhall]

As the cost of heating/cooling increases every year, you should spend some up front $ on good windows/doors and plenty of insulation.My walls are R19 and the cealling is R38 so it takes very little energy to keep it comfy.Upright Freezer running and lighting seems to keep it livable in Winter,but if Humidity is High (Wash.DC) then I turn on the wall unit for cooling.The 6" walls ,2x6 on 24" centers are cheaper to build ,so it makes perfect sense to plan it that way.I took a solar energy course in college and about half the time was devoted to Insulation Tech.Good Luck on Your expansion!

[rhall]

TwinOaks makes a good point, but those systems can be pricey.here in maryland our Ground temp stays at about 58f below the frost line(36") So if you used closed loop tech you would only be raising the temp from that baseline to livable room temp of say 70f.A ground loop heat exchanger/heat pump cuold prove effective but there is no sub for a good insulating package!

[wildrose]

I have a Vornado space heater. Among space heaters, it's not cheap, but it's the best!

[Randy Cornelius]

I have a wall mounted 100% effecent ventless propane furnace. It does a very nice job heating my 20 X 30 work shop. Even during the coldest times here in Kansas I never turned it up above the #2 setting.

For around 200.00 I am very pleased with it. I have some ceiling fans to move the air around and could not ask for more.

Randy

[TwinOaks]

Appologies, y'all, I forgot to mention the insulation.....Yes, there should definitely be insulation in the exterior walls, the windows, and the ceiling/roof.

I've been surfing a bit, and looking at vertical wind turbines....hmmm. It isn't hard to use pulleys (use your SR2 in reverse!!!) to increase your speed, and run to an automobile alternator. Then all you'd need is a 12V DC pump, and some 12V DC LED lights, and you'd have the lighting, heating, and cooling for the shop taken care of....as long as the wind blows. Of course, I guess it'd possible to attach a treadle to the generator..........

As far as keeping MY shop warm.....well, I don't have one. I use the dining room table, and that keeps my wife steamed enough that I don't worry about additional heat.

Edited July 12, 2009 by TwinOaks

[tonyc1]

I use bottled gas and a fan assisted gas heater. My workshop is 52' x 16' and running it on the low setting keeps it warm enough to work in most of the time. It has a 12 hour timer if I need it to come on early. My ritual of a morning is to turn the heater on then read the paper and do the crossword and then when I go to begin work it is nice and warm!

Gas is good as one of my customers delivers it when I need it.

Tony.

Edited July 12, 2009 by tonyc1

[jbird]

We'll Ray

i think that a guy should insulate very well makes a huge difference, and Windows wow huge, then for heating I think all the ideas would work just fine but remeber that you can't have it all

there are ups and downs to each one so choose wisely good luck and don't use body heat LOL.

Josh

[celticleather]

Ray

Obviously insulation - walls, roof and floor (if possible!) - is important to preserve whatever heating you do utilise.

I use a portable Super-Ser Calor gas heater. The heat is instant, controllable, and I particularly like the fact that it is pay-as-you-go . . . no shocks when the gas bill arrives!

I bought it from http://www.tgsindustrial.co.uk/, and incidentally, they also sell cast iron gas rings (see Heating Creasers thread).

Terry