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CONVECTION HEATER

NOTE: floor and benchtop models are available

cool air enters through bottom

heating element

warm air escapes through top

FORCED-AIR fan draws

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NOTE: forced-air heaters come in both floor and ceiling-mounted models

heating element

cool air drawn into heater

The same principle applies when using a radiant heater. As the radiant heat warms a tool, the tool radiates some of the heat back out. This warms the air around the tool, resulting in a warmer shop.

And, since the tools themselves heat up, the shop will continue to stay comfortable for a bit even after the heater is turned off.

CONVECTION HEATERS

Convection heaters take a different approach and work like baseboard heaters in many homes.

As the unit heats the air, the waim air inside rises. As it does, cooler air is drawn in to replace it (Figure 2). That cooler air is then warmed, rises, and the cycle repeats itself.

A convection heater can take a little longer to warm an area. To heat things a little faster, some models use a small fan to increase the airflow. This helps while the fan is running, but once the unit is turned off, the shop will cool down more quickly than one equipped with a radiant heater.

FORCED-AIR HEATERS

Unlike a convection heater with a small fan, a forced-air unit uses a larger blower to really move air over the heating element (Figure 3).

This will heat up an area quickly. And like a convection heater, the unit cools down quickly — resulting in a shop that cools down more quickly as well.

Sawdust. One of the downsides of a forced-air heater is it can stir up sawdust, so you'll want good dust collection to minimize the problem. And in general, it's good practice to keep sawdust in check when using any type of electric heater.

Availability. Prices for small electric heaters start at about $50, and they're available just about anywhere. Forced-air heaters are usually a bit more expensive and to find one you may have to go to a home center or order online.

Still, electric heat is a great way to inexpensively warm up a shop. Another option for taking off the chill is to simply keep your feet a little warmer. For more on this, check out the box below.

Beat the Cold with a

Heated Mat

No matter how much heat you pump into your shop, a concrete shop floor will stay cold for a long time. And when your feet are cold, it makes it almost impossible to work comfortably on any task.

A simple anti-fatigue mat is one way to keep your feet off the floor. But in most cases, it doesn't provide enough insulation to help much. A better option is to use a rubber mat with a built-in heating element (available at many office supply stores). These mats are waterproof and comfortable to work on. And once it's plugged in, the mat starts heating up. So it's a quick and easy way to stay warm — and keep you in the shop.

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