back up heat

[MudMoney]

I would like to hear from members who run an auxiliary heat source in their equipment room. I currently use my boiler as my main heat source switching to a forced air when I shut down due to extreme cold of zero and below. Do any of you use back-up heat system and what type?

 

[Randy]

My equipment is heated by a 220 volt electric heater that is mounted to the ceiling. I?ve been thinking about putting in a natural gas vent less wall heater, something that doesn?t require electricity. I?ve lost power a few times in the winter and the equipment has almost frozen. I think Greg Pack and Capt. Ken are using that type of gas heater.

 

[Greg Pack]

In March 1993 I had been in the carwash business about six months. We actually had a blizzard in Alabama. Well, actually we got maybe 12" of snow. But where I live the threat of a dusting sells bread and milk out of every grocery store in town. So it was a big deal for us. I learned two things back then: that some space heater required electricity to run, and what a normally open solenoid was. I spent about three days thawing out and fixing the plumbing. That was fifteen years ago, I don't think my power has been out in the winter since.

I have had good luck with heaters like these. They are reliable, fairly efficient and no electricity is required for them to run. If we have a rare threat of a winter storm come through I turn them on just in case we lose power. They usually cost about $200 at Lowes during the colder season.

http://www.comfortheaters.com/heaters/crn30.html

 

[jprb]

We use Mr. Heater brand radiant (natural gas) heaters that hang from the ceiling. No electric required and they keep the equipment room as warm as you want it.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_20858_20858

JPRB

 

[Ric]

We use Mr. Heater brand radiant (natural gas) heaters that hang from the ceiling. No electric required and they keep the equipment room as warm as you want it.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_20858_20858

JPRB

I use these also. They keep working even if you lose electrical power.

 

[mjwalsh]

It looks like whatever the heater-----clearances would be critical--- so something combustible isn't potentially ignited.

 

[Ric]

It looks like whatever the heater-----clearances would be critical--- so something combustible isn't potentially ignited.

That is especially true with the radiant/infrared heaters.

 

[bigleo48]

My wash is heated (floors, water & room heat) by four tankless gas boilers. So if one goes I can keep running on three or less depending on the weather. They do not consume much power, so a 2500 watt 110vac gas generator can run them all including the fan coil for heat and the injection pumps for the floor.

Anyway, it's sunny and hot today...I'd rather not think about those problems in April...especially after such a tough winter here in the North-East!

Big Leo

 

[Wally]

I use the little ventless gas heaters. Set the thermostat at about 60 and forget about it.

 

[MudMoney]

I really appreciate the feed back from members here. What has happened to me is 10 years ago I sold a wash to a guy with a strong CPA background but lacking common sense. He froze up the equipment room 2 winters ago. Water ran onto another property and undermined a house foundation. I maintained he shut his heaters down trying to save money. I had installed 2 forced air furnaces when it was mine. The main point of the lawsuit is, would a reasonable operator have a back up heat source. I will keep forum members informed as to how this action turns out.

 

[Ric]

So, this CPA dude ran this wash for about 8 years after buying it from you before this took place and now you are being drug into this issue? He's on his own, unless there is more to the story.