Oil filled radiators or Tubed Thermostat Heaters to warm up the garage or someone suggested to cover the bikes to create a tunnel so heat to radiate the bikes only, which...what is intended... advice welcome...
I have 2 x 2000w oil filled rads, they do the business, but are expensive to run. They have a built in thermostat to cut off once they hit the desired heat and heat the garage up very quickly. I've also bought a 135w tube heater, but it's useless tbh. It would take a few to be effective. If your garage is integral, can you not splice into your central heating system and install a rad into your garage that way. I did this in my last house and it was effective, but I can't now because my garage is detached. *Edit - See post 4 & 5
Integral garage and I had a proper central heating rad put in. It’s as warm as the house and I’ve done the rubber seal thing on the doors. Definitely the way to go.
For your detached garage, I would throw some old blankets/duvets over the bike, reaching to the floor and stick the tube heater underneath. That will keep it lovely and toasty. I have done something similar but with a small dehumidifier underneath and the first layer a plastic membrane. Keeps the bike bone-dry
The other question would be, is this to keep you warm to work in the garage, or to keep the bike warm through winter ? If its for the bike, then why bother so long as the garage is dry ??
Detached garages are far harder to keep dry and condensation free ime. Mine is bone dry but still get condensation on the bikes and tool box and stuff and if bike kit is left in there mound grows quickly once we are out of 10deg overnight temp. Never been able to solve it cheaply.
Whatever electric option you chose it will cost the same. If you put 2000 watts of electricity in you will get 2000 watts of heat out. That goes for oil filled, 3 bar electric, convector or whatever direct electric heating you use. The only exception would be if you fitted something like a air to air heat exchanger and they are more economical, but more expensive to buy.
My garage is detached and unheated but it also has cavity walls and an insulated roof so it doesn't get condensation. Insulation is the key. Mine is cold in winter but bone dry. Rust never seems to be a problem. Its a big double garage and to warm it up for working I have a gas space heater. If I was plumbing the heating into an integral garage I'd want to make sure the door wasn't a cold trap. Steel up and overs are icy cold. Timber or fibreglass roller doors are much better, though I don't trust the security of roller doors.
Mine like Waynes dry with no heating, though i notice where one of my bikes is parked the nearest one to garage door the front wheel gets very faint condensation, the front wheel sits on double carpeted tiles n the rear is paddock stand... The bike at the rear of the garage is on it stand on the concrete floor, tyres not protected by any carpet etc *Edited* The bike nearest the door last year or this, had new fuel pump and the tank had to have the tank flushed.
Which is why I don't even attempt to heat my uninsulated garage. Inside a well insulated cocoon, I suspect135 watts will be ample. It's not just the condensation on the outside of the bike, it's the condensation in the fuel tank and inside the engine and gearbox. It's a killer...
Cavity wall seems the answer, or create one with a vapour barrier and boarding. But as I’m still considering having my garage extended, I’ll check that out then it’s a summer job.
