Apt over garage - best heat choice?

Jim_12

I will shortly be building a 2 car garage approx 30x30 with living quarters above. The space between floors will be insulated as will the walls and ceiling. (NH winters can be cold!) In a couple of years I'll be building my real house (aka The Mansion) at which time this living quarters area will become a big game room or play room.

What type of heating system would you recommend? The heat loss is only about 22K btu per hr. Ideally I would like something inexpensive as I don't know if heat would be required in the future.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

You might actually consider electric baseboard unless your electric rates are utterly exhorbitant. They're extremely inexpensive to buy and you would have very little investment to loose (you could likely re-sell) when everything is more permanent.

Since most codes require a VERY well-sealed and fire-resistant ceiling for occupied space over a garage you should plan AHEAD for the permanent system. If you plan on radiant floor heat, have the tube (and hopefully some conduction enhancement in that climate) installed ready to be attached. If you plan on hydronic baseboard, steel panels or even iron rads, have appropriate sized "stubs" and a branch main ready to attach.

Should you go with a boiler from the outset you will either have a fantastically oversized boiler (and some piping) if sized for the anticipated load or have to replace the appropriately sized unit.

I'd get a heating firm involved EARLY letting them know the approximate anticipated plans.

An inexpensive "drop" ceiling would likely be a VERY good idea in the space as well--at least until everything is complete.

Dale

Garage heat

Will you ever want heat in the garage? If you will a little boiler with 2 zones might be a good choice. If no, then elect baseboard is probably the way to go, the better cal rod type is pretty cheap. you could put some in the garage too higher on the wall .

Jed_2

Apt over Garage

Jim, I think you might well look into a direct vent Empire or equal space heater. I don't know what the electric prices are in NH, for that sized load in Maine, electric would kill you. Yes, LP is expensive, but there are some very efficient space heaters available. And, you will have a much more receptive re-sale market, should you go a different way for the permanent heat. Stub for more permanent heat, if that's part of the future plan. High Efficiency LP or Natural space heaters can be a little pricy, but less than a Monitor, requiring an oil tank and lift pump. And LP vs. K1 are fairly close, I think, price wise.

I think I'd opt for the gas DV.

Best of luck with your project.

Jed

Al Letellier

apartment heat



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Al Letellier

apartment heat



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Al Letellier

apartment heat

Sorry but my computer is acting up again.
You didn't mention your hot water needs, but if heats all you need, we use a lot of Rinnai heaters here in Maine for this very application. Wicked efficient units, easy to install and can give years of trouble free service.
Rinnai also make a great little on-demand water heater (Continuum) and both are easy to install and use. Propane may be an expensive fuel, but you don't have to buy the tanks, lift pumps and expensive K-1 fuel.
Good luck.

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MikeB34

A couple of thoughts..

Have you vonsidered a ductless split? EMI (can be checked at www.enviromaster.com) makes a heatpump version - the america series with up to 4 zones. With such a small heat load, this may be a solution, plus you get A/C. Another might be a gas fireplace...22,000 btuh is a small load