What would be an ideal heating situation for a small cabin

[Ahpook]

I built a small office/studio in the backyard of my house a few years ago. I've cooled it successfully with an AC window unit, but heating is another issue.

I have been using a radiator space heater which heats it fine, but when I lock up at night I have to leave it on unsupervised. That freaks me out quite a bit! There has to be constant heat since the PC, Tv's and guitar equipment stay there.

The size is about 20X20 (400 sq. feet) and fully insulated. If worse comes to worse a small heating unit with ducts could be installed. Any other ideas?

PS: I've seen window units that heat as well as cool, but the BTU ratings on them for heat is around 3800. Doubtful that can cover the colder nights, which can dip in the mid 20's Fahrenheit at the worst.

Thanks for any ideas

[Wicked Blue]

1. What about radiant floor heating?

It's being done more and more.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/heating-cooling/21015149/radiant-floor-heating

[Ahpook]

2. Thank you for the response

I do have it fully carpeted, though. Carpeting would probably be a fire hazard issue with that sort of system?

[msdogi]

3. check ductless mini split units

they work well

[Ahpook]

7. That is a decent idea

I just watched a DYI video on Youtube for installation. Definitively an option.

Thank you

[Alpeduez21]

4. Do you know what the temperature

gets down to w/o heat at night or is that assumption that it's too cold? The cabin is fully insulated. How cold does it get? If there is heat all day will that insulated cabin stay above 40F overnight? That should be warm enough to not damage anything. Really thick curtains(a blanket) to hang over the window/s at night would increase insulation.

There is this: https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Heater-Programmable-Thermostat-Overheating/dp/B08FJ2BRGK/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=small+radiator+heater&qid=1600652637&sr=8-6

They have a couple safety features. Two would be plenty of heat, I think.

Maybe this? https://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewproduct.cfm?productID=453077954&linkfrom=froogle&Keyword=453077954&msclkid=26f0e4425be61b97b6b2bb2a52d22ead&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BLUERIDGE%20PLA%20NEW&utm_term=4577747945380321&utm_content=Blueridge%20Products

[Ahpook]

8. It has to stay at a tolerant temp

I have a dozen guitars out there. They can be extremely touchy with temperature.

IF... the previous day had plenty of sun and hovered in the 30's the attained heat from the heater will maintain a decent temp throughout the night when I shut it off. It's those cloudy, windy days that can cause problems at night with maintaining a decent temp. If it dips in the 20's, forget about it. I suppose the walls don't have a chance to warm up and the temp drops quickly in that situation

Like I said, the radiator does fine if left on. Hate doing it though!

[peacebuzzard]

5. I am reviewing this with my old house.

I need a new heating system as well. I have had baseboard heating and auxiliary portable heaters. I use the surge protectors on the outlets where I use the portables. I have been pleased with the Lifesmart heaters for portables.

I've been reluctant to call in service people because of the pandemic, the weather is turning cold, and I really need to do something about the heating.

My biggest concern are the service people coming to the house.

[Ahpook]

13. I dig that

Hopefully a DYI install is probable.

[ret5hd]

6. Check these out:

https://www.amazon.com/Happybuy-Heater12V-Motorhome-Trailer-Silencer/dp/B07LFFHNP1/ref=asc_df_B07LFFHNP1/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=320284120699&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9477646517644819837&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060281&hvtargid=pla-604221281658&psc=1

The downside is it is fueled by diesel.
The upside is it uses as little as 1/10th of a liter/hour.

Super easy to install. Needs a 12v power supply, either battery or converter.

Just figure how many BTU’s you need, use an online converter to convert to kWh, and see if one is in the size you need. I use a small one in a van, it could get to -30 and I’d still be comfortable.

[Ahpook]

9. I know nothing about that one

I'll check it out!

Thank you

[ret5hd]

10. They are about the size of a bread loaf.

[Ahpook]

12. The cabin is only 50' from the house

I've thought about a weird duct system ran out there from the main heat unit for the house But, that's ridiculous!

I don't know what to do! I have this radiator out there:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NewAir-Portable1500-Watt-Electric-Oil-Filled-Silent-Radiator-Heater-with-Energy-Efficient-Operation-Cover-150-sq-ft-Black-AH-450B/205581337


It keeps it toasty out there as long as it is running. Those things are probably fairly safe?

[cayugafalls]

14. If you say this little heater can keep it warm enough then a window unit with heat should do

Then a window unit should work. 11,000 btu heat can handle 400 sq ft.

But if that little oil heater works, then just use it and don't worry. They are really safe and have tip control built in, I've used one for years with no problems.

However, if humidity is an issue then a window unit will work best.

[Ahpook]

17. Thank you

It says it heats 150 sf. but that little thing keeps my studio perfectly warm all through the winter.

I just worry closing the door and walking over to the main house with that thing on

[GemDigger]

15. That is the style (oil filled radiator style) I have been using for years.

I live where we have longish winters and I had a plant that I needed to chill to 40 degrees F, so I parked it in the garage, put the heater in the garage, watched closely for the temp I needed and let it go day and night for 4 months. I have had this particular one for 18 years or so.

[TreasonousBastard]

18. I was going to suggest you get an oil-filled heater. They are generally quite safe and efficient...

since there are no kids or pets running around. Just keep it far enough from anything flammable and you should be OK. They all have thermostats and overheating circuitry.

Next question is how low to set the thermostat. Electronics will be ok with temps in the 40s, but some wooden things might not be. And do you care about humidity? Setting the thermostat lower keeps the thing running cooler and/or for a shorter time.

[Ahpook]

19. Humidity is an issue with guitars

I'm going to take them to the house and bring the one or two I need at the time of recording to the studio.

It maintains a steady 70F if the radiator is left on. It surprisingly works well

It is set lower in the evening when I leave.

[peacebuzzard]

22. I had a similar version of this type 10 years ago.

from the same store. This version may be improved, but the one I had purchased just did not put out enough quickly. It was a difficult environment: large rooms, extreme winter. There was central heat but that big house never could heat up. I was always cold; normal temps of Santa Fe NM winters are extremely cold. I felt no improvement with this type of heater.

I think one of the posts above has a suggestion I will check into. It referenced a ductless type heater.

[bottomofthehill]

11. Check out GE Zoneline

It is the unit you see in a lot of hotels. For about 2500 dollars you should be able to buy and install. It is a heat pump and will need to run a lot when cold but it is a heating and cooling unit. I put one in the garage when we converted it.

[Warpy]

16. A thermostatically controlled electric radiator would work

Some of them use heated oil, which gives a fairly steady, even heat. Or you might consider installing under floor electric heat, again with a thermostat. Note the thermostat is the operative part, that and not having any open heating coils that could catch on fire.

Those are the two options I'd consider. Amazon and DIY stores have a pretty big selection in a lot of different sizes.

[PJMcK]

20. I went through this dilemma last year

We have a cabin in the woods on our mountain property that I was converting into a music studio. The cabin is about 20' X 15' and during the reconstruction, it was fully insulated, including under the floorboards. It had 110-volt electricity but no plumbing as it's too close to the property line.

After much research and discussion with builders, lumberyard advisors, etc., I came to the conclusion that electric baseboards were the only viable solution. The cabin had to be rewired for 220-volts and the radiators have variable (manual) thermostats.

The biggest problem occurs during the night when it gets cold. The "bones" of the building and everything in it get cold if I turn off the heat. Then it takes a long time to heat back up. But if I leave it on at night set at, say 68º, it wastes too much electricity. My solution has been to set the thermostat at about 60º at night then it only takes a half an hour or so to get comfortable. It's a little bit of a pain but so far, it's worked well.

The cabin also has a small Malm fireplace that heats up the space fairly quickly and gives the cabin a cheery atmosphere. If you can add an enclosed stove, like a Jotul, you can cut your fuel/electrical costs significantly. Here's there website:

https://www.jotul.com

One thing I definitely recommend: Do not leave your space heater going all night unattended. Even if it's UL-Listed, that's a potential danger and I'll bet the owner's manual recommends against that practice. As I've been told countless times, Safety First!

Good luck with your studio!

[Soxfan58]

21. A Mobile home furnace

Good luck!

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

23. In wall forced air heater

https://www.homedepot.com/p/King-Electric-120-Volt-1500-Watt-Pic-A-Watt-Electric-Wall-Heater-in-White-PAW1215-W/307678306

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Register-2-000-Watt-240-Volt-In-Wall-Fan-Forced-Heater-in-White-RMC202W/100055948



Easy to install ,thermostat can be on board or wall mount. 110 v 0r 200v. pic a watt 750 w 1000 w 1500w or 2000.I think 110 v. is pre set.
Don't know how you ran power in, I would assume you have more than one circuit.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

24. A mini split system is perfect for this situation.

They are really efficient and safe. They heat and cool and controllable by WiFi.

I just installed a 24,000 btu system for a friend. You could probably get away with a 12-18000 btu depending on your insulation.

MR COOL brand makes a unit that can be installed DIY or by a competent handyman. Refrigeration tools aren’t required because everything, including the refrigerant lines, comes pre vacuumed and charged. No brazing or soldering required.