What’s better than having a warm working environment in your garage during the colder months? Garage heaters are an essential part of your garage. If you’re planning to install one in your garage, you must get familiar with all the expenses, most of which are comprised of garage heater installation costs.
Depending on the type of heater, the installation cost ranges from $150 to as much as $4,000. Electrical heaters cost around $150 to $1000 to install, while propane or natural gas heaters may cost over two grand for installation.
In this article, we’ll try to break down the garage heater installation cost. Let’s dive into it, shall we?
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Garage Heater?
Garage heaters are absolutely essential to keep yourself warm in the winter. But there are plenty of options available on the market for this purpose. That might confuse you a little bit, but in most cases, it should depend on your budget and your needs.
There are many portable options available for garage heaters, including electronic space heaters that do not require any money for installation. But for long-term usage, you should install a permanent heating system. That includes ductless heating systems, forced air heaters, natural gas garage heaters, infrared heaters, and so many other options of electric garage heaters.
You can also use a patio heater in a garage. The installation cost depends on the type of heater you’re willing to get, the materials, and the labor cost.
What Are The Cost Factors?
The overall installation cost of a car garage heater is determined by some factors.
What Kind Of Fuel Does It Use?
Electric and infrared heaters are significantly less expensive than natural gas and propane heaters.
BTUs
British Thermal Units, or BTU, are a measurement of the power of heaters. The bigger the garage is, the more BTUs are required for it. Prices and maintenance rise sharply when you get a heater with more BTUs. A standard one-car garage requires a 30,000 BTU heater, which costs $0.28 to $0.80 to run depending on its type.
Installation Cost
Some heaters require professional HVAC professionals and need venting. This adds to the total cost. You might also need to set up ducts and fuel lines for your garage, which will lead to more costs.
The Cost Of Different Types of Garage Heaters
There is no shortage of ways to heat a garage in the market. Here are the most preferred ones:
Electric Garage Heater
Electric heaters are fairly inexpensive. Depending on their capacity, they range from $150 to $1000.
Propane And Natural Gas Powered Garage Heaters
If you want a gas heater, A propane heater is a good option for you. But they are more expensive than electric heaters. A single unit propane heater will cost around $400 to $2000, excluding installation.
Natural gas-powered units require more money for installation as you need to connect them with gas lines.
Infrared Heater
Infrared heaters have more energy efficiency. They cost around $400 to $800. They work by converting electric energy into radiant heat. They are a better option to save on maintenance and fuel costs.
Space Heaters
Space heaters are portable and convenient to use. They do not require any installation costs. A single unit space heater will cost something around $150-$300 depending on the size.
Cost Of Installation Of Different Types Of Garage Heaters
It varies depending on material and labor costs. Some heaters are easy to install, while some require HVAC professionals.
Natural Gas Powered Heater Installation Cost
Installing a natural gas garage heater can cost around $400 to $6,000, depending on the heater, the gas lining, and venting. Propane heaters cost less since they do not require any gas lines or air vents.
There are mainly three types of natural gas heaters: forced air heaters, convection heaters, and radiant heaters. They both have different installation costs.
You’re lucky if you already have a gas line connected to your garage. If not, you will have to pay around $250 to $500 for the gas lining. You need to have an exhaust vent for this type of heater. The cost of it would be $150 to $200.
Electric Heaters Installation Cost
There are many types of electric heaters available on the market. Most of the heaters cost in the range of $400 to $1,200. The best thing about electric garage heaters is that you can install them by yourself.
But for larger units and complicated wiring, you need to get professional help.
Electric Underfloor Heating System Cost
You need a PVC or vinyl floor to use an electric underfloor heating system. This radiant heating process costs around $5 per square foot of space. It can rise to $30 per square foot if you choose customized plans with mats.
Hydronic Under-floor Heating System Cost
Hydronic under-floor heating can cost from $6 to $20 per square foot. But you need to pay additional money for water heaters. They are of two types, water heaters, which cost around $700 to $1550, and boilers, which require $3,500 to $7,000 for installation.
Garage Insulation Cost
To get the most effective results from your garage heater, you should insulate your garage door ceiling and walls. They will prevent heat loss and keep the temperature steady for a longer period. Insulation of doors and walls can cost around $660. But it depends on the type of insulator you’re using.
Garage Heater Installation Cost: Pro VS Yourself
Garage heater installation by an expert typically costs around $1,500 to $2,000, counting the heater. The costs increase depending on the necessity of extending gas lines and exhaust vents.
In the case of electric heaters, you can install those using DIY methods without the help of a professional. But for a gas-powered heater, you have no other choice other than to take professional help.
FAQs
What is the best heater for a garage?
If you need an efficient heater over a prolonged period, go for gas heaters. Electric heaters are more convenient and cost-effective for smaller garages.
What is the average cost of running a garage heater?
It depends on the type of heater. Generally, you need to pay around $2 to $19 considering the size and type of your heating system.
What is the cheapest option to heat a garage?
Space heaters, electric heaters, and wood stove heaters are among the cheapest options to heat a garage.
Conclusion
So to summarize, the cost of installing a garage heater solely depends on the type of heater you prefer, the capacity of the heater, labor costs, and additional setup. Get yourself an energy-efficient heater for the long term. If you invest a good amount of money in installation, the daily maintenance cost will decrease simultaneously.
Now that you know about garage heater installation costs, what’s keeping you away from working in a perfectly heated garage on a cold winter morning?
