Pole Barn - DIY Gas Heater Install and 1-year Update 

No problem!! Glad it helps.

Thanks, mom!

Thank you!

150 BTU will be toasty! Mine really did nothing until I put a ceiling and fans in but now I’m happy with it.

@Timothy your setup sounds great! I think I’ll take my sweet time on the walls in mine. Luckily it doesn’t get that cold here in Detroit. Would love to hear how your setup works once the LP is hooked up!

@@ShawnFerret I'll definitely get back to you Shawn. Am excited to see how well it heats. Good luck with your walls. Good thing were not in Texas right now. Those poor people really have their hands full.

@@timothyputzke1250 that’s for sure

Thanks I checked out your setup too! Really like how you separated the gym and cars but can heat both. I’ve considered some gym equipment in mine as well.

@@ShawnFerret Thanks bro, you could get a nice home setup in that garage.

Thank you!

Both of those suggestions make a lot of sense! Thanks, Craig.

It makes a huge difference! It’s so great to have a heated space.

Another one from Michigan, and another setup similar to yours going in this weekend. 👍 Thanks for taking time to create all the content (On the roof, in the crawl, in the shop). Liked and Subbed. Keep em coming!

Thank you, Ted! I like your reasoning on the CSST. I’ve considered moving the dryer so it was actually nice of them!

Thank you!

Glad you liked it!

Thank you!

Thanks Dan! I’m in Van Buren Township.

I like my 80k btu for when I’m actively working in there and set it to 60 degrees. It will keep it there just fine no matter how cold it is outside, and kicks on maybe every 20-30 minutes. There are times when I wish I could get it to 70 degrees because I’m watching a movie or working on my computer out there, but it will run constantly to maintain 65+ degrees when it is sub-20 outside. I think once I have wall insulation it will be fine though. If I did it again I would insulate the floor with foam board as the concrete feels like a huge heat sink. So I think it just really depends on how well you’re insulated, and how warm you expect it to be. Good luck with your install, you will love having heat in Michigan!

I blew R-30 cellulose into the attic and it’s working pretty well for $600. I’m just doing R-19 kraft faced fiberglass batts in the walls. Not the best option but much less expensive than anything else.

@Travis thanks! I saw the Silvercote on Menard's website and almost went for it. How did you secure it between the posts? The fiberglass is really not fun to hang without studs, and I don't want to stud the walls vertically. After doing 2 bays, I'm wondering if I should reconsider. The fans are Kensgrove 72" from Home Depot and I love them.

@@ShawnFerret hi short answer staples,the batts have tabs ,house wrap tape to connect 4 ft wide x2 ..to fill the 8ft cavity or 6+4 to fill the 10ft wide cavity

@@travismotley3622 got it, makes sense. Thanks!

Good luck on your install. You will love the heat, I’m sure.

@@ShawnFerret I’m sure it won’t take much to keep it warm with as much insulation as I’ve got

@@texasmike7994 sounds like a sweet setup… you should make a video of it!

@@ShawnFerret I think I just might

How big is your building

Cool! Sounds like the hard part is done if you already have the furnace and drywall. I actually had fun blowing the insulation in... it was oddly satisfying. I used cellulose so it wasn’t itchy or uncomfortable. I spent probably 6 hours blowing it because the machine from Home Depot didn’t want to be fed too fast. Well worth it.

It worked for me! There are many factors that go into sizing, including pressure. The code books have details on how to make your calculations.

My house has a regulator at the gas meter. I didn’t install an additional regulator.

Awesome! You will love it when it’s done… total game changer to have heated space up in these cold weather states. You’ll have to figure out what your township/city requires as far as burying both together. I think some places allow it if they are spaced 12”+ apart and held apart the entire run - I’ve seen bracing for that exact purpose. I’m definitely not the expert though since I dug two separate trenches for gas and electric. I usually start by looking up International Building Code and then checking for any local requirements on top of that.

NO! Never! Do not ever bury gas & electric in same trench. Need 12" separation minimum per most codes.

Thanks! I made a couple videos about the lights. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SKsv62HrVSw.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vT9XW7bDH5M.html

You should be fine with a 12k minisplit heatpump.

If I had done it all at once I could have used the same permit. Since I wanted to close out the building permit and get occupancy, I had to pull a second permit later for the furnace install.

Sounds like a nice shop space! My ceilings are 12’ tall. I got the fans through Home Depot on sale - I think they were $250 a piece but they discontinued the model. They are just typical indoor/outdoor fans with 72” span.

@@ShawnFerret one more question, why didn't you vent it horizontally, seems much easier to me than cutting holes in the roof? These heaters say you can vent either way.

@@cackerson10 it really just came down to looks. I have 1’ overhangs on the building so the pipe would have to clear them and I thought it would look goofy. It’s on the side of the building you see all the time from the house. I think the roof vent looks really clean.

Thanks, Rick! Sounds like a good idea to label it either way. My electrical inspector didn’t say anything about it. Good luck with your install.

@Cara it's funny, I noticed the same thing about the air temperature. If I stand directly in front of the heater at close range the air coming out feels just slightly warm, not hot at all. Somehow it still manages to bring my large building up to 60-70 degrees, but it's never managed to bring it higher than 72-75 degrees (luckily I don't need it that hot). I assume it has to do with the efficiency of the unit, but I'm no HVAC expert. You have me curious, so I will put a thermometer in front of it next time I fire it up and measure the air outlet temp.

@@ShawnFerret ok. Thank you so much for your response. Sadly, I think I am going to have to install supplementary heat. I need a higher temperature to germinate seeds.

No problem!

Hey Josh, this heater is relatively loud in my opinion. It is annoying in the shop if I’m on a Zoom meeting or trying to film video. That being said, I doubt you would hear it much through the opposite side of a presumably insulated wall with drywall meeting fire code. I’m really not sure if you need a gap to the ceiling or not.

@@ShawnFerret hmmm, bummer..I actually just got this heater in the mail. I was hoping it would be quiet. I guess I'll just have to try it. Other than a heater like this, electric is the only real option but that probably would be not very efficient. My garage area is insulated and drywalled and should hold heat fairly well. Good job on the video! I think it will help out alot of people. Keep.making videos. Nice shop also by the way!

@@buildingwithjosh thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it, especially coming from a professional. You have some great videos too!

@@ShawnFerret ha ha, I'm still getting started. Thanks. Your welcome! We all need some encouragement!

I haven’t been bit like that, but stories like this feed my fear!

@@ShawnFerret And now I feel terrible for telling my story. I’m genuinely sorry. For me, it’s snakes and needles. Getting blood drawn today at 2:30 pm. Ugh...

@@CH67guy1 Haha no worries. Keeps me on my toes. Good luck today.

It is still working great after 3 years, and I still haven’t insulated the walls. I think an 80k unit would work fine in your space, but you will probably need some fans to distribute the heat evenly around the entire area.

No problem!

Haha I tried myself and almost died. Then I called a friend. Even then it wasn’t easy. I have two 10” ladders that we climbed up.

Sound advice. Mine is really inaccurate too, I’ve just been living with it.

Wow that’s a crazy price!

I bought mine from a plumbing supply store, but you can get them at Lowe’s or HD as well. Trying typing “b-vent to single wall adapter” or “b-vent appliance adapter.” Selkirk model #104240 is similar to what I used. Trim collar model #104460. You need an adapter that is the same brand/style as the b-vent you choose so the clip mechanisms match up.

@@ShawnFerret Thank you !

It costs about $160 a month to keep the entire building at 55-60 degrees in the winter here in Michigan.

It takes maybe an hour to go from 30 to 60 degrees in the winter. It takes another couple hours for the whole shop to climatize and allow the heater to kick off for longer periods. I usually just leave it running around 50 degrees and then kick it up when I need to.

There is only one speed on the fan.

I don’t recall mine ever glowing red, but it definitely turns gray (within 100 degrees of red). It wouldn’t personally bother me if it turned to red as it shouldn’t affect the metal - I’m no expert though.

Sorry, I don’t own a temp gun to check.

That really depends on your climate zone! Yes it requires a natural gas or propane connection, and electricity. Hookup costs would vary based on a number of factors, so your best bet is to call a local pro to come bid the job.

@@ShawnFerret Clovis, California is in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b

It’s just a cover plate for the gap between the drywall and b-vent.

@@ShawnFerret is there a specific place where I can find that? Or is it a special order?

@@Kiddro22 I got it at Home Depot in the plumbing section where they have b-vent accessories.

@@ShawnFerret Cool! I appreciate it sir.

Since there is a vent pipe, whether you use gas or propane to fuel this heater, the shop space can be sealed without risk of dangerous fumes. I don’t use anything in the summer currently, but I would love a split system in the future.

@@ShawnFerret so do you think u should just install a minisplit system instead?

@@futbol1972 it gets too cold here to heat with a minisplit

I wasn’t aware there was an alternative for a heater like this. Are you thinking the shop air quality would be bad enough to effect the combustion inside the heater? It’s been a solid 3 years now with no issues and I leave it heated all the time in the winter. The shop is very dusty but it hasn’t seemed to bother the heater.

@@ShawnFerret The alternative is a kit that brings in the air from the outside. It was around $300, so I did not get it. My concern, and I am careful in a woodworking shop is solvent finishes. It was recommended to me by the gas company to bring the heat up to 80 degrees, do the finish work, air out the garage by opening the overhead door, then resume heating. My set up is like yours, and have had no problems in 5 years. I was asking you if you had heard similar recommendations since you have flammable stuff in your shop. My thoughts are that we are both fine. The exceptions would be spray painting and heavy poly wood finishes. The inside air is absolutely fine. I was just trying to reassure myself, and seeing your very well done installation, I knew you knew more than I do. Thanks.

@@mr.purple1549 you definitely know more than me! Cool to know there is a kit for that. I have worked in a lot of different auto shops though, and most use inside air. Even when replacing fuel pumps and siphoning fuel we would rarely open a door. I also worked with a few people who would smoke cigarettes or weld right next to a leaking gas tank. I have become much more cautious in my middle age, but it takes a pretty high concentration in a small area to be remotely combustible. In a space this size I don’t worry at all. I don’t have any experience on the auto body/paint side of things and those type of chemicals though.

@@ShawnFerret Thanks, I wish you were my mechanic. You have a calming way of speaking and are very experienced. Good luck in your shop.

@@mr.purple1549 thanks, you are too kind!

Super Diamond Clear made by Euclid Chemical. Gasoline and brake clean melt it easily... so it hasn’t been great for a shop floor but it’s better than nothing. Can’t complain for the money.

I just used a 10’ ladder and had a friend help me lift it.

@@ShawnFerret : how heavy is it? I plan to buy the same one.

@@tch632 the internet tells me 78.85 lbs

There is one in the gas line, but I didn’t make one in the vent pipe. I thought about it… does that count?

Cool👍

They have piping adapters to go through the wall so that is an option too.

@@ShawnFerret I know they exist I just wasn’t sure if you could for your application.