Gas Fired Radiant Tube Heat for the Shop
Shop owners give these gas tube radiant heaters high marks for convenience, safety, and heating effectiveness. January 10, 2006
Question
I built a new shop in March and now have to think about installing heat. I should have put in slab radiant heat, but ran short on money. I have been looking at gas fired radiant tube heat. I ordered a system today. I hope I did not make a mistake. Is anyone using this type of heat, and if so, are you having success? The supplier said the flame is concealed in the 4" tube and draws fresh air from outside and vents outside.
Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
From contributor D:
I worked at a place that had your setup. It worked great as long as you left it on when you left. Once everything in the building reaches temperature, it hardly ever kicked on.
From contributor J:
You should be happy with your heat. Before I installed mine, I thought it sounded like a bunch of BS about how they worked, and how they can make you feel warm. But I'm very happy with them. They are very economical to run, especially if your place isn't all that airtight or insulated well. The thermal layer stops at about 12 feet, so if you have high ceilings, heat loss is minimized. Also, as opposed to a modine type heater, it's nice not having hot air blast on you when you're working.
From the original questioner:
Thanks for the response. I just worry about blowing up my new shop. I don't think my insurance guy would understand.
From contributor M:
In the great frozen wasteland to the north of your country, this type of closed flame heater is used mostly in new construction. Also, most wood shops use it, and have been doing so for many, many years. Some insurance people insist on it.
From contributor G:
It's good to have one of the tubes over your finishing area.
