quote:

Originally posted by TBH:

quote:

Originally posted by 45 Cal:
Have you thought of thermal heat pipes in the floor.
New build this can be added and small water heater with circulating pump.
Later to solar power would be easy.
Makes a nice setup,had an old plumber friend did his car stowage barn this way.
He had money in the Pierce arrows, Marmon , Stutz bare cat. All high dollar cars.

I'm assuming Montana has snowy and cold weather. Please look hard at radiant heat in your concrete floor. Especially if you will have a secondary heat source. I work for a power utility, heat pumps are getting pushed hard. Big improvements and possible rebates available.
They make a hot water heat pump with an electric back up.
Picture floors warm and garage at a constant temp with a back up for the quick heat.

My buddy in Alaska had his 3-1/2 car garage with 12' ceilings done with radiant floor heating. It was so comfortable in there especially my feet.

My 3 car garage in Alaska was heated, but it was from a hanging heater and my feet were always cold in there. Plus, if I was at the other end of the garage from the heater it wasn't that comfortable.

Constant temps are priceless.

Fast temp rise leads to condensation on tools/guns/etc.

Efficiency (?), Mitsubishi Inverter Heat Pump Mini Split.

80% unit heater, Reznor

Comfort for working on vehicles, in floor radiant.

Insulation and a good vapor barrier and it'll take nothing to maintain a 55 degree temp.

Here is the IBC Building code requirements. Montana is in Zone 6..

http://ecodes.biz/ecodes_suppo...rgy%20Efficiency.pdf

I would strongly recommend R-60 in the ceiling and at least R-21 in the walls.
One thing that has not been mentioned is the perimeter slab insulation. In Montana that means using a 2" thick Styrofoam board (R-10) around the entire perimeter extending 4' from the edge of the slab.

I know that insulation is not "sexy" but a properly insulated building will give you years of enjoyment not to mention be cheaper to operate regardless of how you choose to heat it.

Do it right, do it once...