Garage heaters are handy to keep the internal environment warm, especially in winter when we arrange a get-together to spend quality time. But most of us get confused when choosing between electric and gas garage heaters.
That’s because both of them can fulfill your requirements as a heater. But you should know everything about both types of heater before buying.
Gas heaters are noisy and require frequent maintenance, whereas electric heaters make less noise. An electric heater is also environmentally friendly. But gas heaters emit carbon monoxide. With the proper care, an electric heater can last for 20 to 30 years, while a gas heater only lasts 10 to 20.
Operating an electric heater rather than a gas heater is also easy. However, you must review all the facts to get the most suitable one for your garage.
Read: Cheapest Way To Heat A Garage – 8 Methods You Can Try
Pros and Cons Of Electric Garage Heater & Gas Heater
The benefits and downsides of electric vs gas garage heaters are a crucial topic. Let’s examine them in detail:
Pros of Electric Heater
- Low-key functioning
- Simple to set up and far more portable if necessary
- Not reliant on extending gas lines when none may be present
Cons Of Electric Heater
- May increase power costs
- Requires 240-volt connection
Pros Of Gas Heater
- Frequently adaptable to operate with propane
- A direct connection to your gas line is possible
- Effective and potent
- Take up little room and provide heat even when the electricity is out
Cons Of Gas Heater
- Placement is fixed and difficult to move
- Possible need for ventilation
- It’s advised to use a pro for installation
Face To Face – Electric Garage Heater Vs Gas Heater
Different heaters have various uses. The following information on electric vs gas heaters will help you decide which is best for you.
1. Installation
Due to the lack of a fuel line or vent, electric heaters are easier to install than gas heaters. Electricity makes better sense in many homes where running a gas line to the garage would be difficult or expensive.
The installation of electric heaters is more straightforward. Electric furnaces are simpler, quicker, and less expensive to build than gas ones, and mobile ones may simply be turned in.
There are readily available, user-friendly portable gas heaters. Yet, an expert’s help would be needed to set up a gasifier.
2. Safety
Electric heaters would not require fuel to operate. Therefore, there won’t be any chance of fuel or carbon monoxide leakage.
All gas heaters have the risk of resulting in a release of carbon monoxide. Therefore, you must ensure that a particular alarm is placed close to the gadget.
Incorrect use or poor heater maintenance can cause any device to burst flames. Follow the heater’s instructions precisely at all times.
3. Longevity
Despite routine servicing, electric heaters will eventually wear out. Except for heavily loaded models, do not anticipate these to survive more than a few years.
Replacement of a few cheap components with a better alternative typically costs less over a period. Consequently, it can be an excellent method to cut costs.
You must check gas heaters every two years to ensure their safety. They necessitate more upkeep than electric ones. An electric heater will generally last 20 to 30 years. But a gas heater will only survive 10 to 20 years with proper maintenance.
4. Operation
A mechanical fan and wire loop heating elements comprise electric heaters. During the heating process, the coils are silent.
The mechanical fan behind the loops moves air into the garage or workspace while making only a tiny amount of noise.
Gas heaters are compact furnaces that are forced air heaters. Since they feature an ignition source, which creates sound and vibration, they are typically noisy.
This is particularly bothersome in linked garages since sound waves can travel through walls or ceilings.
5. Servicing
Typically, electric heaters require more frequent upkeep. Servicing the appliance, inspecting the energy sources, and changing damaged parts are all part of routine maintenance.
You need to replace several parts throughout a single electric heater’s lifespan.
If you operate your garage heaters often, it’s crucial to know that gas heaters don’t need as much maintenance as electrical heaters do. Gas heaters can have maintenance performed every two years, but electric heaters should be serviced annually.
These two standards are applicable for medium use. If you use it daily, expect to maintain your heater at least twice as frequently.
6. Types
Electric heaters
Electric garage heaters come in three varieties: fan-forced, ceramic, and infrared.
The fan-forced heaters have a heat source that is powered by electricity and a fan that blows air out to warm the space.
Ceramic heaters are comparable to fan-forced models but use ceramic plates instead of metallic heating elements. These are a superior option for warming big garages and are notably more effective than fans.
Infrared heaters actively heat objects inside the heater’s field of operation using infrared light. Whatever they heat cools rapidly because they work swiftly. When you do not want to warm the entire garage and simply have to warm a tiny region, infrared heaters are a fantastic option.
Gas heaters
There are three primary gas heaters, similar to electric heaters: forced air heaters, convection heaters, and radiant heaters.
Forced-air gas heaters aggressively pull cold air from the outside, warm it, and then recirculate it into the garage.
The second type is convection heaters. They only heat the air directly surrounding them. Colder air would descend and travel in the direction of the heater because hot air typically lifts. Even though it may take a long time to warm a garage thoroughly, this generates a natural temperature movement.
The radiant heaters are excellent for tiny workspaces since they focus heat on a particular region.
7. Efficiency
A gas heater may warm your home more quickly than an electric heater, which always needs time to activate the heating element.
In addition, a gas heater often generates hotter heat. This means the appliance will generate extra warmth within the same period.
But, consider the fact that whereas most gas heaters have an efficiency score of around 80% and 90%, electric heaters own a score of 100%.
8. Costs
Both propane and natural gas are typically used in gas heaters. In particular, natural gas systems frequently function without power.
Compared to gas models, installation costs of electric garage heaters are substantially less expensive. The majority may be bought for under $500, and some for as little as $150. Cheap devices degrade more quickly.
So it’s essential to take into account things like the amount of heating capacity you require and how frequently you intend to use the heater. It’s a mistake to make decisions solely based on pricing.
Finally, a garage heater is essential during the cold months. The most fantastic option for heating your entire garage is a gas heater. For particular heating areas of your garage, electric heaters are preferable. So, depending on your goals, choose wisely!
Hopefully, we have gone over every detail regarding the electric garage heater vs gas heater. In fact, a good garage heater can raise the worth of your home. So, enhance your property with a garage heater to prepare for the chilly months!
