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I am heating a well insulated, 500 sq ft shop building with a ceiling hung radiant propane heater. My question: is it better to set the thermostat down to its lowest setting (about 40F) for the night or weekend, or turn it off completely? Will I use more energy reheating from a very cold temperature or maintaining a higher temp when you dont need it?
The shop is in VT- it can get pretty cold. Lets see…slab floor, insulated, all double pane glass…I know there are any number of variables here, just wondered if theres a general rule with this. Thanks!
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I am heating a well insulated, 500 sq ft shop building with a ceiling hung radiant propane heater. My question: is it better to set the thermostat down to its lowest setting (about 40F) for the night or weekend, or turn it off completely? Will I use more energy reheating from a very cold temperature or maintaining a higher temp when you dont need it?
The shop is in VT- it can get pretty cold. Lets see...slab floor, insulated, all double pane glass...I know there are any number of variables here, just wondered if theres a general rule with this. Thanks!
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Off -- if you are not going to freeze or break anything and don't have fluorescent lights (many don't start under 40F + short bulb life).
*ON! I hate to answer the phone in the morning. Every damn time I stick that cold thing on my ear I think "I wish I had a heater in here!" Everything in your shop will be cold, and won't warm up till noon. Joe H
*Convienience is your own call. Another caveat for an electrically heated shop is that if you have a power company that bills different rates at night (30% lower some places) then you may be better to not even turn it down. 2nd law of thermodynamics says the total heat loss is always lower by turning the heat source off.
*I keep my shops heater on low to keep the moisture monster away. I'd rather pay the extra than to have things rust and freeze.
*Good grief! Vermont! Are you out of your mind? With energy costs what they are why not move to a warmer climate? You couldn't possibly make enough money to pay for heat. And who is going to have any money to buy anything from you anyway with their energy costs? I know, you like it there. I loved it here too in Wisconsin at 34 below on Christmas morning.