How do I calculate size requirements for a wood burning stove in a garage?

Hello,

I am going to be starting to construct my new garage project in the next week or two. I am wanting to heat this space with a wood burning stove as a primary heat source and have an auxillary source as well.

My Questions:

1.) What is a good auxillary heat source which would be convenient and cheap to install. Not really concerned too much about cost to operate it as it would not be used often.

2.) How do I decide what size wood stove to purchase? I don't want a stove that will over heat the space constantly.

Garage Specs:

Dims - 24x32x10
Framing - Post Framed
Insulation - I plan to use batten insulation and an OSB covering inside. I plan to use 6x6 poles and install the girts between the poles (2x6's) like book shelving. This will allow me to use std batten insulation. I'm not sure how best to insulate the ceiling - any suggestions would be appreciated.
Floor - 5" concrete slab
Openings - 3 std (3'x3') insulated windows, 1 std steel entry door (36"), 2 (9x9 OH garage doors - insulated)
Exterior will be steel

Thanks in advance!

florida or alaska?

Round here they frown upon giving out permits for garages with wood stoves. Something about storage of flammable liquids and the insurance companies, although I do know guys that have them.

Stove size doesn't really matter, it's the amount of wood you put in there!

For your building any standard sized box stove would work fine. 55 gal drum stove would work.

rasit... permit for a garage where they would know about a stove?

I have a poorly insulated 24' x 24' shop w/ one overhead door, one man door, and one 42" x 60" window that is broken and won't close. I've only fired up my small 2' x 3' wood stove once so far, but it did a fine job heating it. Like mentioned above ,the amount of wood you put it, and how hot you keep it burning will make the biggest difference. I would recommend something a little bigger than mine because 1) you can put in bigger pieces of wood so you don't have to add wood so often, 2) it is easier to get bigger pieces of wood and less work to split it, and 3) you can bring the room temp. up a lot faster if you can really pile the wood on to get it started.
I also HIGHLY recommend either a blower system to move the warm air around or some ceiling fans at a minimum.

Your wood stove is to be 18" from the floor, as are all flame producing appliances in a garage. I think it is part of ICC codes. Besides, it is easier to put the wood in the firebox.

State Farm would not insure my shop if I were to put one in. I bought a Vogelzang (sp) and had to take it back..luckily I didnt install it. If it were to burn I would be out a lot of $$$. It wouldnt take much to heat your 24x24 with a wood stove.

nate379 said:

rasit... permit for a garage where they would know about a stove?

Click to expand...

I share a 900' long property line with the township building (where the bldg. inspector is). In the winter when there's no leaves on the trees, the snow is gently falling, the smoke is bellowing out of the chimney..........

I live in Western Maryland. Winter time temps range from -5 to 35 F generally. Much of the time it hangs around 20 - 25 F

Thanks for the input.

A stove like this would suit your needs:
http://pacificenergy.net/product_super27.php

Buy it with a plain black door, a pedestal instead of legs and it won't be as costly.

It lets you load wood into it endwise, and has close installation clearances.
Whatever you buy, try to get one that lets you put it fairly close to the wall, so you don't lose too much floor space. Some stoves need to be at least 2 feet away, while others can be safely installed closer than 1 foot.

Like others have said, check with your insurance co. Most will require the stove be raised so the BOTTOM of the loading door is at least 18" from the floor. Many will also require "bump protection" to keep a vehicle from rolling into it, and knocking it over while it is going.

In the U.S., stoves have to be EPA approved in order to be installed.

For more info:

http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewforum/2/

And

http://www.woodheat.org/

Once you get it fully insulated, it'll be easy to heat that shop. I use a box fan set on low pointed at the wood stove, this pushes the cool air towards the stove. The main thing is to get the floor warm and that'll hold the heat. . . . I like to say put the heat in the 'crete.