Garage Build - Insulation Question

[Gamble Gamble]

I insulated my garage with the foam board panels and the room feels much better. However, recently the temps have hit the low teens at night and that concerns me with my electronics. Is there any way to create a tighter seal on the garage door so air does not leak in? I have looked at better weather stripping, but was wondering if there was something you guys have used in the past.

I just need it to be another 10 degrees warmer and I will feel comfortable leaving my computer and future projector in there. I wanted to see if you guys had some creative way (like many of you do for other things) to cure this issue.

Thank you

[Boerdoc]

I have my sim in my shop and I keep it heated to 55* with a small electric heater. After spending 10k on the build out and sim a little electricity is worth it. As for weatherstripping, The picture attached it the best for the sides. It does not fully insulate, but they prevent cold air flow. They attach on the outside. For the bottom, you just need a good strip.

[Gamble Gamble]

I actually have something very similar to that. You bring up a good point though about the heater. Is there a heater I can keep on for extended periods of time while I am not at home yet not run the risk of a fire? I am mainly concerned about my computer, projector and the ES16/GC2/(insert other LM).

I noticed if I applied some pressure to the door (pushing out) the door created a better seal with the weather stripping and the air flow was virtually non existent. Is there a product that creates some pressure to attach the door to the weatherstripping when closed?

[Boerdoc]

I just run a ceramic room heater (1500W) that has a thermostatic control. Sometimes that is not enough to heat it so I have another one that I can control by wifi/app to heat it enough to be ready to play in 15 minutes. It is the old heater coil kind. I do not trust that for long running due to fire risk. I just turn it on with WEMO from inside the house or on the way home.

Can you adjust the weatherstripping? Might be easier than the door.

If nothing else there is always foam strips to go inside the weatherstripping. Kind of a bandaid approach.

[Gamble Gamble]

the ceramic room heater may be the way to go but I may double down and use the foam strip idea as well. is that something you make yourself or can I buy it somewhere? Do you know what it is called?

[mthunt]

Being cold sucks. What about a hot dawg heater? They work great. Amazon has them for 600.

[Boerdoc]

This should work. Home depot. Many sizes, thicknesses and lengths available. My heater is a Lasko. Works well.

[Gamble Gamble]

This stuff seems to work but our temps went up to 55 again so it is hard to tell. Thank you!

[Boerdoc]

Being cold sucks. What about a hot dawg heater? They work great. Amazon has them for 600.

I agree being cold does suck. It only takes 15 minutes to go from 55 to 68 degrees. Then the heaters go idle. With 3-4 people playing they never go on again. Even when it is 20 degrees outside.

[fortysixandtwo]

Gamble, what's your garage temp without any heat going? Does anyone use a small portable propane heater?

[Ironstrokes]

Gamble, what's your garage temp without any heat going? Does anyone use a small portable propane heater?

I use the Mr. Heater big buddy heater in my 2 car detached garage. At this time of the year my garage temp in the Philly area averages around 40ish. The heater is good to up the heat 10 or so degrees it seems no matter what the starting temp is. But this is with no real insulation on the entrance door, garage door, windows etc. So gonna be installing some weather stripping and something on the actually garage door soon and I'm sure that will make it much better. 50s is perfect for me to golf though, once you start swinging it gets hot quick. Plus the heater is pointing right at you, so I'm sure it's much hotter directly where I'm hitting

[fortysixandtwo]

I have a question about the big buddy. Does it give off any propane odor. Are you running it in low or high, and do you use the built in blower? Do you take the 1lb tanks out after using it each time?
I just bought one and it's in the box until I get a co detector in the garage, I'm just curious about the smell of propane when in use..

[aja]

Not really safe to use any kind of heater that uses combustion indoors. Could be the last time you play golf.

Stick to electric heat.

[Ironstrokes]

I have a question about the big buddy. Does it give off any propane odor. Are you running it in low or high, and do you use the built in blower? Do you take the 1lb tanks out after using it each time?
I just bought one and it's in the box until I get a co detector in the garage, I'm just curious about the smell of propane when in use..

I've been using my propane heater with a 15lb tank attached at all times in my garage. I just twist the knob on the tank on and off as I use it with no problem. Usually have it on high and will only lower it if I start getting hot. You may notice a little smell when you first start using it but that goes away quickly or is very minimal at worst, you won't even notice it while playing. As I said, my garage doesn't have perfect insulation, but I usually have it sitting right in front of me if I sit down on the couch in my garage to watch tv or a movie and haven't noticed the smell really at all after the first minute. Also I do use the blower with batteries as I wanted to try it before I bought the power adapter...it works decently, it isn't super strong so I can't really tell if it's making much of a difference or not when it's on or off. I've tried both and seems to heat up the room the same. The blower may be a little nicer when you are sitting or stationary and trying to direct the heat a little better. Overall I haven't felt unsafe using it at all indoors and will continue doing so even after I insulate more. Ill probably get a co2 sensor at that point just to be extra safe, but since you already have one I say get a 15lb tank (1lb goes way too quick) and let her rip!

[Godfather]

I use the Mr. Heater big buddy heater in my 2 car detached garage. At this time of the year my garage temp in the Philly area averages around 40ish. The heater is good to up the heat 10 or so degrees it seems no matter what the starting temp is. But this is with no real insulation on the entrance door, garage door, windows etc. So gonna be installing some weather stripping and something on the actually garage door soon and I'm sure that will make it much better. 50s is perfect for me to golf though, once you start swinging it gets hot quick. Plus the heater is pointing right at you, so I'm sure it's much hotter directly where I'm hitting

I installed insulation kits on my garage doors from Home Depot (http://m.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-G...-pcs/203630159). Works good, looks great, and makes the doors really quiet.

They also make a pillow style, but I've heard the attachment adhesive can fail and it doesn't look as good. It may provide a little higher R-value, however, and you could always custom cut your own thin panels to lock them in.

[mthunt]

The big buddy isn't an indoor heater as it gives off a ton of carbon monoxide. It even says outdoor use only on the website. They are meant for worksite heating or a patio where it's not sealed in. I'd be really careful there. CO2 has no odour and makes you fall asleep and not wake up. There are cases where people used heaters like that indoors and all died The hot dawg or similar is sealed combustion with exhaust to the outside.

[Ironstrokes]

I installed insulation kits on my garage doors from Home Depot (http://m.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-G...-pcs/203630159). Works good, looks great, and makes the doors really quiet.

They also make a pillow style, but I've heard the attachment adhesive can fail and it doesn't look as good. It may provide a little higher R-value, however, and you could always custom cut your own thin panels to lock them in.

That looks pretty good, I think I might actually go for that one for the door. All the other ones I saw were like twice the price. Thanks for the link!