To determine the size of the heater you need for your garage, you’ll need to consider several factors, including the garage’s square footage, insulation, ceiling height, and local climate. Here’s a general process:
1. Measure the Size of the Garage
- Calculate the square footage: Multiply the length by the width of the garage (e.g., 20 feet x 20 feet = 400 sq. ft.).
2. Determine Required Heating Output
A typical estimate is about 10 watts per square foot for a well-insulated space, or more if the space is poorly insulated or if you need to heat it quickly.
Formula:
- Square footage x 10 watts (for a standard garage) = watts needed.
- Example: 400 sq. ft. x 10 watts = 4,000 watts needed.
3. Adjust for Ceiling Height and Insulation
If you have high ceilings (over 8 feet), poorly insulated walls, or the garage is in a colder climate, you may need to adjust the wattage upward. For poorly insulated garages, you may want to go with 12-15 watts per square foot.
4. Convert Watts to BTUs
Heaters are usually rated in BTUs (British Thermal Units). To convert watts to BTUs, use this formula:BTUs=Watts×3.412BTUs=Watts×3.412
For example, if you need 4,000 watts:4,000 watts×3.412=13,648 BTUs4,000watts×3.412=13,648BTUs
5. Additional Considerations
- Garage Use: If you use the garage for activities like workshops or need rapid heating, you may need a more powerful unit.
- Type of Heater: Space heaters, forced air heaters, and infrared heaters all work differently. Consider the type that best fits your needs (e.g., propane, electric, or kerosene).
Example Calculation:
- For a 20 x 20-foot garage (400 sq. ft.), in a moderately insulated area:
- 400 sq. ft. x 10 watts = 4,000 watts
- 4,000 watts x 3.412 = 13,648 BTUs
A 13,000-15,000 BTU heater should work well for most average garages. However, if you’re in a colder climate or the garage is poorly insulated, you might want to go for a higher BTU rating, like 18,000-20,000 BTUs.
Contact Doylestown Auto Repair at 267-279-9477 or visit our website at www.doylestownautoshop.com to schedule an appointment to have your car serviced.
