Updated on Mar. 22, 2024
If you’re looking for the best way to keep the chill off while working in your workshop or warehouse space, the Mr. Garage garage heater is the solution.
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If you’re lucky enough to have natural gas or propane, you’ll love having a Mr. Heater garage heater. The Big Maxx model is a popular option for heating large open spaces because of its efficient performance, quiet operation, compact design and powerful, even airflow. Another thing to love? This best garage heater can be controlled by a Wi-Fi-compatible smart thermostat. Imagine warming up the garage on your device without getting out of bed!
Wondering if a gas heater is right for you? Our digital editor, Ethan O’Donnell, says, “I have found that gas heaters are more efficient at heating up a cold space, are less expensive to operate and require less maintenance and repair than electric garage heaters.”
The Mr. Heater garage heater is a powerful 50,000-British thermal unit (BTU) natural gas heater, which includes an liquified petroleum (LP) gas conversion kit. It has an impressive 82% thermal efficiency rating, and it’s designed to heat a 1,250- to 1,667-square-foot space. In other words, the Big Maxx (model#MHU50NG) will easily heat your three-car garage. The unit is 15 inches deep by 29 inches wide by 26 inches tall, with a black finish and three adjustable air louvers.
If the 50,000-BTU unit isn’t right for your space, the Mr. Heater Big Maxx series is also available in 80,000 BTU and 125,000 BTU models. All three models have LP conversion kits, spark ignition, high-velocity fans and aluminized tubular heat exchangers included.
Before deciding on the size you need, O’Donnell offers a tip. “You should assess the level of insulation in your garage. If your garage will lose a substantial amount of heat through its ceiling, walls and garage door, it somewhat defeats the purpose of heating it and, therefore, requires a much larger heater,” he says.
Mr. Heater offers a three-year warranty on parts and burners, and a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger.
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Grab this 50,000-BTU garage heater for your shop, barn or warehouse. Add a smart thermostat and control the heat from anywhere.
Once the unit is installed, operation is as easy as adjusting the thermostat. Users have reported that set-up is relatively simple because the connectors are located on the outside of the unit.
If you love the idea of a warm garage and plan to install a garage heater, O’Donnell offers some advice. “Though it is possible to DIY, gas garage heaters are difficult to install due to venting and plumbing requirements,” he explains. “A professional will know all the building codes, permits and regulations applicable to different types of garage heating systems. Professionals will also test the heater for functionality and provide optimal operational instructions, ensuring that the garage is heated safely and efficiently as the system is used.”
The Mr. Heater Big Maxx is designed to be mounted from the ceiling and includes two angle brackets. To add to its versatility, the exhaust can be vented vertically or horizontally. If you’re tight on space, this gas-forced air heater only needs 1-inch of clearance from the ceiling and requires a standard 120-volt power outlet. However, be aware that it needs to have at least 8 feet of clearance from the floor to the base of the unit. Another thing to consider is that the venting is not included with the unit, since venting will need to be customized depending on the space and building codes. Again, we recommend calling in a professional when it comes to installation.
Once the unit is installed, pair it with a smart thermostat or simply choose the bundle with the analog thermostat included. Easy as pie!
The Mr. Heater garage heater has plenty of happy, warm users. Here’s what they’re saying:
“This was a great purchase for the money. Works good. Operates quietly. As a professional HVAC service tech, this is as good as major name brand products,” says Derek, a five-star reviewer.
Verified purchaser, Joe Peacock, writes, “Well worth my money. This unit heater fits my needs quite well. It is well built and works great. It is a bit heavy to install by one person, but a strong back and careful planning can get it done safely. The venting and fuel supply is well placed. The instructions are easy to read and follow. I converted this unit to LP gas with the included kit and have it supplied with a 500 gallon LP tank outside my wood shop. The initial start-up went flawlessly. It worked exactly as the instructions stated.”
“I love having a heated three-car garage, and this heater is just the right size,” writes G. Preston, another verified buyer. “The packaged thermostat is a plus, although it is old-fashioned analog instead of digital. For a few more bucks a digital option would have been nice. The heater itself is reasonably quiet and very efficient. Installation is standard and requires a full day or a professional installer. At this price point, you won’t find a better heater.”
To give you a rough idea of the best BTU output needed for your garage, grab your laser tape measuring tool to calculate the cubic feet of the space.
However, this is where you need to consider how well your space is insulated and adjust accordingly. An HVAC professional can better advise you on sizing, building code regulations and venting requirements.
Yes, since the Mr. Heater garage heater is a natural gas and LP-burning heater, venting is necessary to avoid deadly fumes and gasses, like carbon monoxide, from being released into the space. So make sure the placement is convenient to an outside wall (or ceiling, if local code allows) that can accommodate proper venting.
The 50,000 BTU Big Maxx gas heater is currently priced at around $430, compared to the popular Hot Dawg 45,000-BTU heater by Modine which is around $1,000. Both units are low-profile, ceiling-mounted units and require outside venting. The Hot Dawg doesn’t include an LP conversion kit, but one can be bought separately. Modine offers a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty on the Hot Dawg, similar to the 10-year heat exchanger warranty and three-year warranty on parts and burner like the Mr. Heater Big Maxx.
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Enjoy trouble-free warmth with a three-year warranty on parts and burners, and 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger.
Don’t let the cold keep you out of your garage. Once you grab the Mr. Heater garage heater you’ll wish you would have made the decision long ago. You can snag this life-changing workshop addition on Amazon, Walmart, The Home Depot, Tractor Supply Co. and Farm & Fleet.
