Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jan 26, 2024 17:42:30 GMT
The other day I was trying to work in my (uninsulated 600 Sq-ft) shop but was driven out by the 34 degree F (1.1C) indoor temperature. I have a few electric heaters but they mostly seem to draw a lot of expensive Watts and do not make a lot of heat. Running two 1500 Watt heaters (43 cents per KWH) cost me $2.58 per hour, and they don't put out much heat. By the time they add a few degrees to the shop temperature, I am through working. Looking for a safe solution, I purchased a Big Buddy made by Mr. Heater. It is an indoor rated, propane heater said to comfortably heat 450 Sq-ft. Not wanting to make my shop toasty warm, but just warm enough to work in, I decided to try one ($150 on Amazon). It works pretty well. The little heater (on high) warmed my shop from 41F to 54F in one hour. It held a steady 58 degrees F despite the weather being 33 degrees F, foggy and windy. The little guy runs on two 16oz propane tanks (the ones you take camping) which last about 6 hours on high. These little tanks cost $5.84 at Walmart. Using them, it costs some $2.00 per hour to heat the shop. That is still expensive! Fortunately (using the included adapter) you can refill the little tanks from a regular propane tank. I use a 20 pound tank, the same one used by my gas grill. At California prices, a little can can be refilled for about one dollar. This reduces the hourly running cost to about 45-50 cents, about $3.00 per work day. Not bad say I. Some areas outlaw refilling the little tanks unless they are rated for refill. These tanks, along with an improved refill system require a bit more investment. Since the little heater meets my needs I bought a Mr. Heater refill kit and tanks as well. You can get by just fine without the refill kit and tanks but I don't mind investing in good tools that work. Of course those (I am not) with some fancy solar energy system my do better with electric heaters. Some folks use pellet stoves, but installing one within California's bureaucracy can be very expensive.
