I'm planning to insulate and heat an 8'x8'x8' section of my garage this winter for my two dogs (a lab and a golden retriever). The floor is concrete and there are unfilled block walls about 2 feet high on two sides. I want to maintain a temperature of around 40°F to keep their water from freezing. Electric heating seems like an easy solution, but it's not the cheapest option. I've also considered propane, but I'm unsure about the venting requirements and cost-effectiveness. Given that I live in Minnesota and we expect some cold nights, what heating solutions would you recommend?
2 Answers
I’d suggest going with electric baseboard heaters and installing a thermostat. It’s safer than propane since you won’t have to deal with any venting issues. If you’re handy, a minisplit system could be more efficient, but make sure to insulate well or you might end up spending a lot more on energy bills.
You could just add a standard dog bed to keep them off that cold concrete. A bit of extra padding can help a lot in keeping them comfortable, even if it's chilly.
That's a good point! Just make sure the insulation is done right so everything stays toasty without breaking the bank.