I have a 40×60 clearspan barn that is being used as a shop, and would like to add heat. I dont have water, so cant use a boiler, but would like to use an oil fired hot air furnace and just let the furnace blow air into the building. I would rather not build a masonary chimney, so was thinking of using either a newer high efficiency unit that can vent through PVC, or if needed using a metal bestos chimney inside a wooden enclosure that would match the outside of the building. Any suggestions on what furnace would be a good choice? I would rather spend a little more if all I need is to make a PVC exit instead of the chimney route. I am in NY where it gets below freezing for a few months and I want to use my shop!
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Thats a nice space for a shop! My more modest digs use a propane fired Modine "Hot Dawg" (their trailer park spelling, not mine!). It hangs from my ceiling and vents horizontally through the back wall. Mine is sized for my 20 x 20 shop, but I remember they had several models above and below mine.
I got it at the Depot, the price was around 700, and installation was pretty straightforward.. My only issue is the speed the fan blows....creates a windstorm in the shop!
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Based on my HVAC contractor that I use, don't use the high efficiency fuel oil unit.
Maintenance nightmare.
An insulated metal chimney designed for the higher temperatures of a standard efficiency fuel oil furnace is an easy install.
Terry
Thinking about how you will need to move all that heat from a central location to cover all in your 40x60.
My experience with a 24x24 shop with a hanging "Modine" type heater @ 65k BTU.....it does heat the area, BUT.....If I need to paint/finish then I must wait for warmer days as the dust bowl from the modine leaves drifts of dust on the newly finished surface.
I recently added a 22x36 with 2ea 12x10 garage doors and have picked up a used 85k BTU upflow multispeed gas furnace with plenum and ductwork. With the lower fan speed and the filters I hope to be able to have a better control on the dust and be able to do some finishing in the winter months.
A controlled heat distribution system with filters is paramount.
IMHO......................Iron Helix
Thanks for the suggestions! I understand the wind tunnel concern, I figured I could run some ductwork between the roof truss webs to distribute the air, possibly with furnace filters on the outputs if dust is a real issue. Doesnt have to look pretty, just gotta get some heat! The only reason I figured on oil rather than propane is I could get my shop tank filled when my house tank gets filled. How long does propane last with the overhead style heaters? And do they still need a chimney to vent or do you just run a stainless stack out the roof? In fact, if I installed a used oil hot air furnace could I just run the stack straight out the roof rather than running metalbestos outside? Roof material is steel with a baked enamel finish.
Patter66,
I too have a 40 x 60 metal shop building and I heat it with a propane fueled hanging Modine heater. As far as how long a tank of gas will last, it depends on several factors. Is your building insulated and do you have a ceiling below your trusses/rafters or is the heat is going to rise up to the metal roof. Last year I had my 500 gallon tank filled twice and the outside temps were in the teens and twenties a lot . I have 12 foot ceilings and I installed a factory type plastic curtain(Curtain Wall) at the half-way point of my building so I'm not heating the entire shop but the furnace still runs more than I would like. As for the "wind tunnel" effect, the Modine heater has no duct. It has a blower with louvers to direct the air. It does move enough air to effect your finishes, especially if your shop is as dusty as mine.
Good luck!
I will be installing r30 insulation and sheetrock on the ceilings, walls are bare for now but are air tight..in future will get r19 insulation and sheetrock. 1000 gallons is a lot of propane! :) How long is your heating season? I figure mid november through mid march.
patter66',
You caught me. What I should have said is they were filled twice but the supplier doesn't let them get below 30% before filling. Total of 650 gallons is more like it. Heating season is from late October to early April if I'm in the shop a lot. I spend more time on the job site and keep the thermstat low (50 degrees) unless I'm working in the shop.
In the northeast the use of fuel oil for heat is quite common.............but not in southern Illinois! It's propane, natural gas(if youare near a main), coal or wood!
If Oil fired is common for yor area...stay with it! If you heat with it in your house...by all means use it in your shop. Your supplier will like you even more!!!!
Check out your local heating contractors for used units left-over from upgrades and replacements.....some attentive "scronging" could really help your 40x60's budget!
Stick with the best flue assembly possible.......insurance often will balk at payment is there is a negligent or substandard venting application!!!
Good luck.......................................Iron Helix
great idea on checking with the service company for a used unit. The more I think about it I like the idea of a straight stainless pipe straight up and out of the building, I would just put type X sheetrock in the pipe area and keep the pipe away from any wood members. Simple and hopefully can be done, thanks again :)