Best Garage Heaters: 11 Reviews of Electric and Efficient Options

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Picture this:

It’s first thing in the morning on a typical January Tuesday. Despite the predicted snow and below-freezing temperatures, you still have to get out for the day.

You rush to the garage to warm up your car, bracing for the cold air about to penetrate your bones.

To your surprise, you are greeted with a swoosh of warm air as you enter your garage. You recently installed a garage heater, and now your daily routine has changed for the better.

OK, so maybe this isn’t your typical Tuesday in January – but it could be!

The best garage heater can keep both your garage and your car comfortable, buffering stark temperature transitions from indoors to outdoors as you venture out for the day. It can be a little daunting to decide on your own which powerful garage heater to go with for your home. We have collected the best garage heaters you should consider this winter, as well as a buying guide to help you navigate your first purchase.

Best Garage Heaters in 2024 (Top 10+ List)

Our Top Choice: Cadet Electric Portable Garage Heater

Portability is an under-rated quality when it comes to garage heaters. While having something solid and imposing is nice, the truth is that you often just need to be able to lug your heat source around without throwing out your back. Portability means you can use the garage heater in multiple places and that you never have to worry about being too far from the source of heat. If you want to make sure that you have access to a powerful garage heater that you can move around easily, you’ll want to look at Cadet’s Electric Portable Garage Heater – it gets our vote for today’s best garage heater.

This garage heater is very adaptable. It comes equipped with a floor stand and a wall bracket, and it’s so easy to move from point to point in your garage that you’ll often forget that it can serve as a stationary heater. It has very simple controls and an automatic shut-off for when the heat gets too high, so you can stop worrying about fire hazards and concentrate on getting your projects done. There’s also a feature that allows you to use just the fan on the unit, which is perfect for when you need a bit of circulation without having to turn on any temperature control.

The good news is that this garage heater doesn’t make a trade-off between heat and portability. The bad news, though, is that it’s fairly loud. The fan does tend to rattle a bit, so you’re looking at a noise level that’s somewhere just below an air conditioning unit. It’s not deafening, but it can get a bit annoying in a very small space. Still, the utility of the garage heater itself more than makes up for the noise that it makes. For all of these reasons and more, the Cadet Portable tops our list of today’s best garage heaters.

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Another Great Choice: Fahrenheit FUH54 Garage Heater

Our runner-up for today’s best garage heater is the Fahrenheit FUH54. The Fahrenheit FUH54 garage heater comes built in with an easy to install wall mount that can mount both horizontally and vertically. Once you have the garage heater mounted all you need to do is plug it into a 240V socket and power it on. If you want to adjust where the warm air is being transferred, you can make use of the adjustable louvers and point the fan-forced air wherever you please. The FUH54 has a water-resistant coat that will ensure you will be rust free for years to come.

As far as safety is concerned the garage heater does have a built-in shut-off feature which prevents overheating and protects the heating element from a burn-out. This unit also has an adjustable thermostat, and although it does not allow you to set an exact temperature, you can adjust it to your personal ideal temperature for up to 400 sq ft of space. The only unavoidable downside to choosing this heater is that it does not come with a remote control. If flexibility in mounting, durability, and accessibility is what you are looking for then the FUH54 is an ideal fit for your heating needs, which is why we’ve chosen it as our runner up for today’s best garage heater.

Read our full Fahrenheit FUH57 garage heater review.

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Dr. Heater DR966 Shop Garage Commercial Heater

When it comes to trustworthy quality, few are more reputable for outperforming competition than the Dr. Heater. The DR966 is a fan-forced electric heater that runs at 3000/6000 watts with a compact design, making it perfect for common garage spaces. Don’t let the small size fool you though, as it is extremely powerful and can heat even large spaces given time.

Similar to the NewAir, the DR966 is hardwired into the wall to ensure longevity and can be mounted to the wall or ceiling. However, a fair disadvantage is that the heater does not come with the power cord, so you will have to do some additional set-up. This should not turn you away, the set-up is simple and with a steady stream of great user reviews, you can trust this will be a worthwhile choice. Being competitive in price, powerful, and simple to setup, Dr. Heater will and always been a constant in the home-heating market.

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Dimplex 4000-Watt Garage/Workshop Heater

Sometimes it feels like no one has tried to make workshop heaters any better since they were originally designed. It isn’t that there aren’t plenty of novelty control options, but rather that most fan-forced electric heaters tend to use the same kind of inefficient heating element that they have always used. While this doesn’t hurt the heating process, it does hurt your wallet when your electric bill comes for a visit. Fortunately, Dimplex’s 4000 Watt heater goes a long way to making the heating process more efficient.

Saving energy is the big selling point of this unit. It’s not huge, but it puts out a lot of heat for a relatively low energy cost. Dimplex has clearly done a lot of research to improve the internal components of its units, and it shows here. While the interior might be all-new, the exterior is still the same old solid construction that consumers have come to love. It’s very hard to damage this unit, which means that it will stand up to most shop use with ease.

This is, however, a noisier machine. It shakes and rattles a bit, which can be problematic if you are in a small, enclosed space. If you are willing to put up with the noise, you’ll get a great heating experience that won’t require you to break the bank.

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King Electric 7500W Garage Heater

If you need a garage heater, your main concern is probably the production of heat. Other features are nice, but you need to be sure that your heater will actually warm up your garage. King’s Electric Garage Heater does just that, providing you with extra warmth in a very dependable package. It has a few extra bells and whistles, but the real selling point is that it will keep your garage warm throughout the winter.

This fan-forced unit puts out a lot of heat – enough that you may have to turn it down after it runs for a while. It has all the usual safety features, of course, but it tends to build up heat quickly and maintains its output even when it’s cold. One of the few nods this unit has towards modernity is the fact that it’s set up to use a remote control – something that can end up being quite helpful if you don’t want to keep messing with the heater as you’re working in your garage or workshop.

The only real downside to this unit is that its customer support could be better. While the vast majority of units work without a problem, those that have issues can cause their owners headaches as customer service is hard to reach at times. Most units do work fine, though, so working with customer service may not be a problem for most.

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NewAir G73 Hardwired Electric Garage Heater

Being one of the more durable heaters on the market, the NewAir G73 is very popular. The G73 is more tailored towards the small shop space, and it will heat up to 500 square feet – though some users report even upwards for 700 square feet. The unit does need to be hard-wired rather than being a simple plug-and-play heater, and thus it is recommended that you have a professional perform the installation. The added benefit of hardwiring the unit to the wall as opposed to the traditional outlet is that it eliminates a variety of maintenance problems you would normally have.

Moving past the hardwire setback, it does have a built-in thermostat with automatic shutoff. The automatic shutoff helps you not have to worry about turning it off or wasting your precious dollars on unnecessary energy expenditure. Ceiling mounting can allow you to optimize the positioning to get your garage or workshop heated in no time. The NewAir is top of the line with its durable powder-coated stainless steel construction, ensuring that this will be the last heater you will have to buy for many winters to come!

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NewAir G56 5600 Watt Garage Heater

When you’re trying to heat up a garage or workshop, what you probably want is quick heat. It’s nice if there are customizable heat settings on your heater, but what you probably care the most about is driving away the cold. One fan-forced garage heater that’s particularly good for that is this model from NewAir. The G56 is certainly good at bringing heat to cold areas, with enough other features to make it worth picking over many of the other garage heaters currently on the market.

The big selling point of this fan-forced unit is the speed at which it puts out heat. It absolutely lives up to the claim of being able to heat up over five hundred square feet, and it does so with what feels like relatively little effort. The device is also quite rugged, so you’ll never have to worry about breaking it when you’re moving it from place to place. There’s even an easy-to-use temperature control knob that works to make sure that the area heated stays at a constant temperature. It’s one of the best portable garage heaters that you are likely to find.

The only downside to the unit is that it can’t perform miracles. If you have a huge space that’s uninsulated, you really can’t expect the device to keep up with the massive heat sink. If you’ve got a smaller space or if you have an insulated garage or workshop, though, you can depend upon this heater to keep your space warm.

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PROWARM Electrical Forced Air Industrial Fan Heater

The PROWARM 240V industrial space heater has all the features you would need in regards to longevity and convenience. The industrial space heater is equipped with a ceiling mount that allows for horizontal or vertical flow. What makes this so great is that it comes with a remote control that will allow easy control of airflow from anywhere in your garage or workshop, meaning no more getting out of your warm car into a cold garage.

It has a special motor that allows for stronger wind flow and comes with the standard auto-shutoff safety features to prevent failure. PROWARM is one of the leaders in the industry of fan-forced industrial electric heaters, and are known for their good quality, design, and service. Being a more modern and stylish industrial space heater, the PROWARM heaters warm up the larger scale garages – they’re rated to heat over 800 square feet with ease and are suitable for workshops, basements or even outside buildings – without the need for a propane tank. The PROWARM would be a perfect choice if you are looking for a simple, accessible heating arrangement with all the features you need, and the durability you desire.

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Comfort Zone Industrial Steel Electric Ceiling Mount Heater

When it comes to heaters, you often just want something solid. It doesn’t have to look nice or have fancy features – it just needs to warm up your garage. If you don’t mind ignoring aesthetics, you may want to take a look at Comfort Zone’s Industrial Steel Electric Ceiling Mount Heater.

This is a great electric garage heater for those who want options. The unit comes equipped with three different heat levels, which can make a huge difference for those who just want things warmed up slightly during the early stages of winter but need something a bit more substantial when the snow is falling outside. The heater is also incredibly solidly built – the phrase ‘like a tank’ is thrown around a lot in it’s garage heater reviews, and it’s absolutely accurate. You’re not going to worry about exterior damage when it comes to this unit.

Like all heaters, there are a few flaws. This heater’s biggest detriment is being an energy hog. It certainly won’t be easy on your electricity bill, which is par for the course for something that puts out so much heat. If you really need to warm up a space, though, this will get the job done. It might not look great on your electric bill, but it will certainly keep away frostbite.

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Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988 Garage Shop Heater

The industrial electric heater uses infrared heating and a fan to offer heat for indoor spaces. It can warm air up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and although not energy efficient, it is a powerhouse of the industry. The DR-988 utilizes a low-intensity infrared element to allow quick heating of smaller spaces up to 600 square feet. Dr. Infrared’s DR-988 heater has an adjustable thermostat that allows for you to choose between 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 95 degrees. It holds great standards for safety with a built-in discharge and overheating protection and of course an auto-shutoff feature.

A great feature about this heater is that it has a carry handle that makes it portable and easy to move around. Unlike some of the other options discussed here, this one comes with a power cord that can be plugged in virtually anywhere with 240V power, including a portable generator making it viable for outdoor heating. Continuing the convenience of having an actual power cord, it also has a nifty little cord storage that allows you to only pull out as much cord as you need, preventing unnecessary cords lying about. Convenient, compact, and powerful the Dr. Infrared would be a good addition even if you already have a more solitary heater!

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Comfort Zone Ceiling Mount Quartz Heater

Ceiling-mounted heaters are perfect for those who realize the faults of floor and wall-mounted units. These heaters are always out of the way and never fall victim to clumsy guests or falling debris. They also do a great job of warming spaces, when they’re well-engineered. One great example of good ceiling-mounted heating is Comfort Zone’s Quartz heater. This unit is a great fit for users who want something that’s easy to control but that’s still safe enough to operate no matter who happens to be in the garage.

While it might be mounted on the ceiling, this heater is actually very simple to use. All the work is done with a simple pull-string, allowing you to quickly turn on your heat and switch between heat settings without having to get out a ladder. If you’re not happy with where it is pointed, it’s easy enough to reposition thanks to the tilting bracket. Once it’s on, you’ll never have to worry about the safety of your guests or the hazards that come from more typical garage heaters. You’ll simply be able to sit back and bask in the warmth provided by this heater.

If there’s an issue here, it’s one of space. This is a good heater for small shops, but it’s not going to heat up a large garage. Don’t expect miracles for big spaces and certainly don’t expect a huge jump in the mercury when your garage isn’t insulated. If you have a smaller space or just need to heat a smaller area within your garage, though, this heater does a great job.

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Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater

We are going to take a closer look at the Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater because it has earned an exceptional reputation within the industry. This budget-friendly infrared heater is capable of being wall mounted for installation. The integrated WiFi compatibility allows users to manage the temperature from their smartphone devices. This is a great choice for a lot of people because people typically don’t want to lose floor space to a heater. 

There are several safety features integrated into this infrared heater to ensure that there are no hazards. The budget-friendly price range is extremely convenient for customers that are restricted by their budget. The cost-effective price is affordable and generous. 

A lot of customers have discussed the multi-purpose design elements that are integrated into this innovative heater. You can use this Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater in bedrooms, large garages, office rooms, and living rooms.  

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Mr. Heater Big Maxx Natural Gas Garage Heater

The next product that we are going to take a look at within this review is the Mr. Heater Big Maxx Natural Gas Garage Heater. This natural gas garage heater is capable of heating up large areas up to a maximum of 1,250 Square Feet. This heavy-duty heater is convenient because it has external access to the onboard thermostat to manage the current temperature. 

The powered exhaust also allows for horizontal venting. This ultra-reliable natural gas garage heater from Mr. Heater is extremely popular and durable. The slightly higher price range might be a problem for some customers that are on a tighter budget. A couple of angle brackets are included within the packaging to allow for ceiling mounting during the installation process. 8 Feet of clearance is required from the floor to the base of the heater for proper installation. 

A lot of customers are probably concerned about the durability of this product. The manufacturer includes multiple warranty policies that might be of interest. We will start by discussing the limited three-year product warranty on parts. There is also a ten-year warranty on any defects within the heat exchanger. There are a lot of reasons to consider purchasing this heater, and durability is certainly one of those reasons.

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Dr. Infrared Heater DR-975 7500-Watt 240-Volt Hard-Wired Shop Garage Electric Heater

The final product that we are going to take a look at is the DR-975 Electric Heater. This heavy-duty appliance is equipped with 240-Volts of power to effectively improve the temperature management within your garage. This hard-wired electric heater can be wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted during installation. The on-board temperature controls allow you to manage the temperature effectively and efficiently. There are five adjustable louvers that can adjust the airflow as desired. 

Some of the other valuable features include the ability to set a timer. The integrated control panel is extremely convenient for users. The exceptional reputation for this product stems from the fact that it is affordable, easy to install, and extremely durable. If reliability is one of your top concerns when attempting to purchase an electric garage heater, then you will probably want to focus on this specific product during your search. 

The cost-effective price might be the final aspect of this product that you have to evaluate before finalizing your purchase. It might not be the cheapest option within the entire industry, but it certainly provides a reasonable value to customers that are looking to get the best deal.

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Garage Heater FAQs 

What type of heater is best for a garage?

The best type of heater for a garage is usually a space heater that’s specifically meant to provide heat to spaces that don’t have the usual level of insulation. This means that you’re specifically going to want to be on the lookout for those units that are meant for whole rooms and that are intended to provide supplemental heat for longer periods of time. Though you’ll definitely find some portable units that will do a great job of keeping the areas right near you warm, it’s probably better to find a more robust unit that will help you to heat up the entire space as you work.

Beyond that, though, it’s really hard to pin down a specific space heater as better than others. You’ll certainly want something that’s meant for a space that’s the size of your garage, that has all of the features that you need to feel comfortable using the product, and that has the requisite safety features so that your space heater won’t become a burden. The perfect space heater is definitely going to differ from person to person, so don’t buy one without taking a close look at the features that each space heater has to offer. 

What size heater do I need for a 3 car garage?

There’s actually a lot of debate when it comes to the precise size of heater that you need for a garage of any size. Every three-car garage is a little different, so you’ll want to stop and look at the materials used in the construction of your garage, whether or not the garage is insulated, and whether the garage is connected to your central heat. Not to mention the size of your garage in square feet. The more heat that the garage already gets or maintains, the smaller the heater that you’ll end up needing when you eventually make a purchase. There are, however, at least two figures that you need to keep in mind with your three-car garage.

The first number to keep in mind is 60,000 BTUs. This is the figure usually quoted for those who choose forced air heaters, and it’s probably going to be enough even for the biggest three-car garage out there. The other figure is 50,000 BTUs, which is generally the heat output you’ll need if you choose an infrared tube heater. It’s hard to tell if either of these numbers should be in the upper or lower range when it comes to heating, but it’s never a bad idea to go a little higher if you feel like your space has more square feet and needs some more heat.

What size heater do I need for a 2 car garage?

Just as three-car garages have some very specific size requirements, so too do two-car garages. Again, you’re going to end up looking at basically the same kind of factors to figure out your heating floors and ceilings, so don’t be afraid to get a tape measurer out to get the exact amount square feet you’ll need to heat. The more precise you can be about this process, the better your eventual purchase will end up being. Again, though, there are some basic numbers on which you can count.

As a rule, a 45,000 BTU forced air heater is going to be more than enough for any standard-sized garage. In fact, most heaters at this range can easily handle a two-and-a-half car garage, so you really shouldn’t have to worry about going bigger. The ceiling is a little lower for infrared tube heaters, though, with 30,000 BTUs being enough for virtually any standard garage. Your mileage may vary here a bit, but you really shouldn’t have to go any higher than those two numbers. 

Where should I mount my garage heater?

This one is pretty much a two-step process. There’s definitely some argument as to precisely where you need to place your garage heater, but almost everyone agrees that it is going to work best if you put it in one of the corners of your garage. Of course, there are limitations imposed by the location of your natural gas or electrical supplies that you’ll need to work with. Try to make sure that the heater is aimed at the garage door at a 45-degree angle so that you get the most possible coverage with the least possible waste.

The only other issue here is going to be the location of your heater in relation to the location of your thermostat. If you are looking for efficient functionality, your thermostat is going to have to be somewhere outside the airflow of your heater. As you might imagine, the best way to deal with this is always going to be to install the heater before you install the thermostat.

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Garage Heater Buying Guide – How To Choose The Right Fit For Your Home

Buying a garage heater is not as simple as just waltzing into a store and buying the first one you see that fits your budget. With size, wattage, safety, and many more variables to be considered the decision may seem cumbersome – Worry not! We have consolidated an easy to follow buyers guide that should help you answer just about any question you may have:

Make Sure To Determine The Optimal Sizing for Your Garage Heater

It is imperative that when purchasing a garage heater for your home that you select one that is sized properly for your garage. The reasoning for this is clear. If the garage heater is not large enough it will not heat your garage to your satisfaction. On the contrary, if you purchase one that is larger than necessary and you will never be using the heater to it’s fullest potential. The sizing of your heater also plays a key role in the efficiency of your central-heating costs. Be sure to take measurements of your garage prior to any purchases, whether you’re installing it in a room as small as 225 square feet or something much larger.

Some Notes About Choosing an Energy Source

It’s probably quite clear that we have a strong preference for electric garage heaters here at This Electric Home, but we would be remiss if we didn’t at least touch on the fact that there is more than one way to power your garage heater – including natural gas and other energy sources. In an effort to cover all of our bases, we’ll go into the different energy sources you can find for garage heaters in the sections that follow.

What About Propane and Other Fuel-Powered Heaters?

While electricity is by and large the most common way that garage heaters are powered today, there are quite a few models out there that are powered by more conventional fuel sources – most notably propane and/or natural gas. There are absolutely some advantages to natural gas or propane garage heaters, but the truth is that they are more ideally suited for industrial uses by shop owners, contractors, and similar.

Natural gas or propane garage heaters come to temperature very quickly, as they are usually quite powerful. This makes sense if you think about it, as they rely on the combustion of fossil fuel to produce heat in the first place. It’s probably one of the biggest draws to a natural gas or propane garage heater, though the fact that the unit is portable is probably a close second.

Portability is made possible by the fact that propane or natural gas-powered garage heaters aren’t hard-wired to your garage. They can be disconnected from the propane tank or natural gas supply and brought from location to location, which is another reason that they are ideal for industrial applications and contractors that work at numerous job sites throughout the course of a week.

There are, of course, some inherent downsides to propane or natural gas-powered garage heaters. This is why we recommend electric models so much more readily to our readers, and it’s important that we bring these issues to light.

First of all, in the case of propane, the fact that you have to power them from a fuel tank means that you’ll have to refill the tank when it empties. Of course, you could get a large propane tank in your yard, but that’s really not all that desirable if it can be avoided. The second thing you’ll have to consider is the fact that storing fuel sources on your property is an unnecessary fire hazard. Not to mention the fact that there could be a leak to a natural gas fuel line that could potentially lead to a catastrophic accident. Why would you even want to bring this risk upon your household when it can be avoided so easily?

Last but not least, there is the matter of convenience. With natural gas or propane-powered heaters it’s much more difficult to set them up so that they run automatically. Aside from the fact that the fuel source can become depleted, you more often than not will have to physically go to the heater to ignite it to get the heat started. That’s not something you’ll want to be doing as you make your way out to the car to start your morning commute.

With That In Mind, What Type Of Garage Heater Should Home Owners Choose?

All said and done, we strongly stand by the recommendation for homeowners to go with electric models. When it comes to safety, the electric powered models are the far preferred choice and when you take a look at the convenience factors of the two technologies it’s practically a no brainer.

That said, if you are indeed looking for a heater for industrial applications or you are a contractor, there is indeed a compelling reason to go with a natural gas or propane garage heater. The fact of the matter is that most of our readers are homeowners, which is why we have geared our recommendations towards electric garage heaters rather than the natural gas or propane-powered alternatives that you can find.

Don’t Forget About Safety Considerations

While sizing your garage heater is necessary, it is not the only thing to be considered while browsing for your first heater. Safety is of the utmost importance and it’s up to you to make sure that your garage heater qualifies as a safe purchase for your home. When purchasing an electric garage heater you want to make sure that it has an automatic shut-off built in, in the event that the heater is tipped over. A temperature limiter is also key, to prevent overheating and loss of equipment. You’ll also want to consider the safety of an electric unit versus one powered by natural gas to decide what you’re more comfortable with. Make sure to read the specifications for the product you plan to buy before you decide it’s the right fit for your home.

Look Into The Different Certifications and Standards

Just as with anything, there are certain certifications and standards that you can keep an eye out for that can be used to measure the safety of the different heaters on the market.

ETL – The ETL Badge (Edison Testing Laboratories,) is a verification that an electrical device is in line with the standards determined safe for usage in American homes. This badge is provided by the ETL, a nationally recognized electronics laboratory and member of OSHA.

UL – The UL certification states that the garage heater is deemed safe by the Underwriter Laboratories, and the Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration (OSHA).

Ease Of Operation Is Of Utmost Importance To Homeowners

Once you have determined your heater size, found the proper wattage and checked the certifications confirming safety, the next move is to see how easy it is to actually use the heater. The following are 3 features that any good heater will include-

1. Thermostat: This may seem obvious, however, please do make certain that you have an adjustable thermostat on your garage heater. This simple tool will make holding your choice of temperature as simple as the turn of a knob, and some fancier heaters even come with remote access!
2. Fan: Having a fan allows a heater to warm up space more quickly by dispersing the air over a larger vicinity. This will shorten the amount of time you have to spend waiting for your garage to warm up, and if anything you can turn the fan on without the heater to enjoy some airflow during the summer!
3. Mounting Bracket: This really does depend on what you choose to do with your heater. Allowing you to mount the heater on your ceiling, you will save floor space and takes the heater out of sight. This is perfect if you are not planning on moving your heater.

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Wrapping It All Up – Which One Should You Choose?

Now you are all up to speed and ready to make the venture into buying your first garage heater! If you are looking for a permanently mounted heater the PROWARM (View on Amazon) will be your best bet, with the remote control and durable design. However, if you are on a budget the Dr. Infrared Heater is a perfect fit, and can even be used for camping and other outdoor events! Whether you are trying to heat a large 3 car garage with the powerful Fahrenheat FUH54 (View on Amazon) or just trying to bring a little warmth to your workspace on a budget with the Dr. Infrared DR-988 (View on Amazon), a garage heater can keep you and your family comfortable throughout the winter.

Interested in reading more about how electric products can improve your life around your home? Make sure to take a look around here at www.thiselectrichome.com.