Electric Shop Heaters

Electric shop heaters can help take the chill out of a garage, workshop or farm repair space so you can keep working as temperatures drop. Whether you’re tuning up equipment or tackling a project at the workbench, choosing an electric workshop heater starts with the space you need to warm. Square footage, ceiling height, insulation and drafty overhead doors all affect how much heating power your shop needs. Check the manufacturer’s recommended coverage along with the heater’s wattage and electrical requirements rather than choosing by room size alone. Fan-forced electric heaters circulate warm air, while radiant electric heaters direct heat toward people and nearby surfaces, which can make them worth considering for a particular work area. For a shop with frequent door openings, think about where you spend the most time and whether you need whole-room warmth or heat focused near your workspace. The right electric garage heater also needs to fit your shop’s layout and available power. Some electric shop heaters operate on a compatible 120-volt circuit, while higher-output models may require a 240-volt circuit or hardwired installation by a qualified electrician. Check those requirements before bringing a heater home, and follow the manufacturer’s directions for placement, mounting and electrical connections. An adjustable thermostat can help maintain a comfortable temperature, while features such as overheat protection and, for portable units, tip-over shutoff are worth looking for as you compare options. Keep heaters clear of lumber, feed sacks, rags and other combustible items, and never operate a standard shop heater where flammable vapors or combustible dust may be present. Plug cord-connected heaters directly into a properly rated wall outlet rather than an extension cord or power strip. With suitable heating capacity, proper installation and the required clearances, an electric heater can make cold-weather shop chores a little easier to get through.