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Ahpook

(2,764 posts)
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 08:23 PM Sep 2020

What would be an ideal heating situation for a small cabin

I built a small office/studio in the backyard of my house a few years ago. I've cooled it successfully with an AC window unit, but heating is another issue.

I have been using a radiator space heater which heats it fine, but when I lock up at night I have to leave it on unsupervised. That freaks me out quite a bit! There has to be constant heat since the PC, Tv's and guitar equipment stay there.

The size is about 20X20 (400 sq. feet) and fully insulated. If worse comes to worse a small heating unit with ducts could be installed. Any other ideas?

PS: I've seen window units that heat as well as cool, but the BTU ratings on them for heat is around 3800. Doubtful that can cover the colder nights, which can dip in the mid 20's Fahrenheit at the worst.

Thanks for any ideas

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What would be an ideal heating situation for a small cabin (Original Post) Ahpook Sep 2020 OP
What about radiant floor heating? Wicked Blue Sep 2020 #1
Thank you for the response Ahpook Sep 2020 #2
check ductless mini split units msdogi Sep 2020 #3
That is a decent idea Ahpook Sep 2020 #7
Do you know what the temperature Alpeduez21 Sep 2020 #4
It has to stay at a tolerant temp Ahpook Sep 2020 #8
I am reviewing this with my old house. peacebuzzard Sep 2020 #5
I dig that Ahpook Sep 2020 #13
Check these out: ret5hd Sep 2020 #6
I know nothing about that one Ahpook Sep 2020 #9
They are about the size of a bread loaf. ret5hd Sep 2020 #10
The cabin is only 50' from the house Ahpook Sep 2020 #12
If you say this little heater can keep it warm enough then a window unit with heat should do cayugafalls Sep 2020 #14
Thank you Ahpook Sep 2020 #17
That is the style (oil filled radiator style) I have been using for years. GemDigger Sep 2020 #15
I was going to suggest you get an oil-filled heater. They are generally quite safe and efficient... TreasonousBastard Sep 2020 #18
Humidity is an issue with guitars Ahpook Sep 2020 #19
I had a similar version of this type 10 years ago. peacebuzzard Sep 2020 #22
Check out GE Zoneline bottomofthehill Sep 2020 #11
A thermostatically controlled electric radiator would work Warpy Sep 2020 #16
I went through this dilemma last year PJMcK Sep 2020 #20
A Mobile home furnace Soxfan58 Sep 2020 #21
In wall forced air heater Wash. state Desk Jet Sep 2020 #23
A mini split system is perfect for this situation. Hassin Bin Sober Sep 2020 #24

Ahpook

(2,764 posts)
2. Thank you for the response
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 08:36 PM
Sep 2020

I do have it fully carpeted, though. Carpeting would probably be a fire hazard issue with that sort of system?

Ahpook

(2,764 posts)
7. That is a decent idea
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 09:16 PM
Sep 2020

I just watched a DYI video on Youtube for installation. Definitively an option.

Thank you

Alpeduez21

(1,861 posts)
4. Do you know what the temperature
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 09:03 PM
Sep 2020

gets down to w/o heat at night or is that assumption that it's too cold? The cabin is fully insulated. How cold does it get? If there is heat all day will that insulated cabin stay above 40F overnight? That should be warm enough to not damage anything. Really thick curtains(a blanket) to hang over the window/s at night would increase insulation.

There is this: https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Heater-Programmable-Thermostat-Overheating/dp/B08FJ2BRGK/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=small+radiator+heater&qid=1600652637&sr=8-6

They have a couple safety features. Two would be plenty of heat, I think.

Maybe this? https://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewproduct.cfm?productID=453077954&linkfrom=froogle&Keyword=453077954&msclkid=26f0e4425be61b97b6b2bb2a52d22ead&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BLUERIDGE%20PLA%20NEW&utm_term=4577747945380321&utm_content=Blueridge%20Products

Ahpook

(2,764 posts)
8. It has to stay at a tolerant temp
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 09:25 PM
Sep 2020

I have a dozen guitars out there. They can be extremely touchy with temperature.

IF... the previous day had plenty of sun and hovered in the 30's the attained heat from the heater will maintain a decent temp throughout the night when I shut it off. It's those cloudy, windy days that can cause problems at night with maintaining a decent temp. If it dips in the 20's, forget about it. I suppose the walls don't have a chance to warm up and the temp drops quickly in that situation

Like I said, the radiator does fine if left on. Hate doing it though!

peacebuzzard

(5,266 posts)
5. I am reviewing this with my old house.
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 09:05 PM
Sep 2020

I need a new heating system as well. I have had baseboard heating and auxiliary portable heaters. I use the surge protectors on the outlets where I use the portables. I have been pleased with the Lifesmart heaters for portables.

I've been reluctant to call in service people because of the pandemic, the weather is turning cold, and I really need to do something about the heating.

My biggest concern are the service people coming to the house.

ret5hd

(21,320 posts)
6. Check these out:
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 09:12 PM
Sep 2020
https://www.amazon.com/Happybuy-Heater12V-Motorhome-Trailer-Silencer/dp/B07LFFHNP1/ref=asc_df_B07LFFHNP1/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=320284120699&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9477646517644819837&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060281&hvtargid=pla-604221281658&psc=1

The downside is it is fueled by diesel.
The upside is it uses as little as 1/10th of a liter/hour.

Super easy to install. Needs a 12v power supply, either battery or converter.

Just figure how many BTU’s you need, use an online converter to convert to kWh, and see if one is in the size you need. I use a small one in a van, it could get to -30 and I’d still be comfortable.

Ahpook

(2,764 posts)
12. The cabin is only 50' from the house
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 10:03 PM
Sep 2020

I've thought about a weird duct system ran out there from the main heat unit for the house But, that's ridiculous!

I don't know what to do! I have this radiator out there:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NewAir-Portable1500-Watt-Electric-Oil-Filled-Silent-Radiator-Heater-with-Energy-Efficient-Operation-Cover-150-sq-ft-Black-AH-450B/205581337


It keeps it toasty out there as long as it is running. Those things are probably fairly safe?

cayugafalls

(5,755 posts)
14. If you say this little heater can keep it warm enough then a window unit with heat should do
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 10:42 PM
Sep 2020

Then a window unit should work. 11,000 btu heat can handle 400 sq ft.

But if that little oil heater works, then just use it and don't worry. They are really safe and have tip control built in, I've used one for years with no problems.

However, if humidity is an issue then a window unit will work best.

Ahpook

(2,764 posts)
17. Thank you
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 11:50 PM
Sep 2020

It says it heats 150 sf. but that little thing keeps my studio perfectly warm all through the winter.

I just worry closing the door and walking over to the main house with that thing on

GemDigger

(4,327 posts)
15. That is the style (oil filled radiator style) I have been using for years.
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 11:22 PM
Sep 2020

I live where we have longish winters and I had a plant that I needed to chill to 40 degrees F, so I parked it in the garage, put the heater in the garage, watched closely for the temp I needed and let it go day and night for 4 months. I have had this particular one for 18 years or so.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
18. I was going to suggest you get an oil-filled heater. They are generally quite safe and efficient...
Mon Sep 21, 2020, 12:14 AM
Sep 2020

since there are no kids or pets running around. Just keep it far enough from anything flammable and you should be OK. They all have thermostats and overheating circuitry.

Next question is how low to set the thermostat. Electronics will be ok with temps in the 40s, but some wooden things might not be. And do you care about humidity? Setting the thermostat lower keeps the thing running cooler and/or for a shorter time.



Ahpook

(2,764 posts)
19. Humidity is an issue with guitars
Mon Sep 21, 2020, 12:20 AM
Sep 2020

I'm going to take them to the house and bring the one or two I need at the time of recording to the studio.

It maintains a steady 70F if the radiator is left on. It surprisingly works well

It is set lower in the evening when I leave.

peacebuzzard

(5,266 posts)
22. I had a similar version of this type 10 years ago.
Mon Sep 21, 2020, 10:09 PM
Sep 2020

from the same store. This version may be improved, but the one I had purchased just did not put out enough quickly. It was a difficult environment: large rooms, extreme winter. There was central heat but that big house never could heat up. I was always cold; normal temps of Santa Fe NM winters are extremely cold. I felt no improvement with this type of heater.

I think one of the posts above has a suggestion I will check into. It referenced a ductless type heater.

bottomofthehill

(8,817 posts)
11. Check out GE Zoneline
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 09:59 PM
Sep 2020

It is the unit you see in a lot of hotels. For about 2500 dollars you should be able to buy and install. It is a heat pump and will need to run a lot when cold but it is a heating and cooling unit. I put one in the garage when we converted it.

Warpy

(113,130 posts)
16. A thermostatically controlled electric radiator would work
Sun Sep 20, 2020, 11:43 PM
Sep 2020

Some of them use heated oil, which gives a fairly steady, even heat. Or you might consider installing under floor electric heat, again with a thermostat. Note the thermostat is the operative part, that and not having any open heating coils that could catch on fire.

Those are the two options I'd consider. Amazon and DIY stores have a pretty big selection in a lot of different sizes.

PJMcK

(22,883 posts)
20. I went through this dilemma last year
Mon Sep 21, 2020, 06:58 AM
Sep 2020

We have a cabin in the woods on our mountain property that I was converting into a music studio. The cabin is about 20' X 15' and during the reconstruction, it was fully insulated, including under the floorboards. It had 110-volt electricity but no plumbing as it's too close to the property line.

After much research and discussion with builders, lumberyard advisors, etc., I came to the conclusion that electric baseboards were the only viable solution. The cabin had to be rewired for 220-volts and the radiators have variable (manual) thermostats.

The biggest problem occurs during the night when it gets cold. The "bones" of the building and everything in it get cold if I turn off the heat. Then it takes a long time to heat back up. But if I leave it on at night set at, say 68º, it wastes too much electricity. My solution has been to set the thermostat at about 60º at night then it only takes a half an hour or so to get comfortable. It's a little bit of a pain but so far, it's worked well.

The cabin also has a small Malm fireplace that heats up the space fairly quickly and gives the cabin a cheery atmosphere. If you can add an enclosed stove, like a Jotul, you can cut your fuel/electrical costs significantly. Here's there website:

https://www.jotul.com

One thing I definitely recommend: Do not leave your space heater going all night unattended. Even if it's UL-Listed, that's a potential danger and I'll bet the owner's manual recommends against that practice. As I've been told countless times, Safety First!

Good luck with your studio!

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,691 posts)
24. A mini split system is perfect for this situation.
Thu Sep 24, 2020, 02:11 PM
Sep 2020

They are really efficient and safe. They heat and cool and controllable by WiFi.

I just installed a 24,000 btu system for a friend. You could probably get away with a 12-18000 btu depending on your insulation.

MR COOL brand makes a unit that can be installed DIY or by a competent handyman. Refrigeration tools aren’t required because everything, including the refrigerant lines, comes pre vacuumed and charged. No brazing or soldering required.

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