Home Cars Best Gas Garage Heaters [Buying Guide] in 2020

Best Gas Garage Heaters [Buying Guide] in 2020

by Jonathan Logtenberg
Mr. Heater Corporation F299811 Natural Gas Heater, 10000 BTU, White and Black
Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 30,000 BTU Blue Flame Vent Free Garage Heater
Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT
Mr. Heater Corporation F299811
Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2
Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT
Mr. Heater Corporation F299811
Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2

When it starts to get cold this winter, you may find that your garage becomes almost impossible to enter into without Jack Frost nipping at your nose.  Your fingers get all cold and stiff and you end up shivering no matter how many layers you put on.  This can be a pain if you need to work on the garage throughout the colder seasons as you don’t want to be freezing when trying to work with tools or you may injure yourself. 

There are many different kinds of heaters on the market with all manner of different fuel sources an power capabilities.  This can make it difficult to know which option is best for you.  That is why Surf’n’Buy develop these in-depth guides, to give you all of the information you need to make the right decision for you.

If you are looking to warm up your garage this winter, an indoor gas garage heater is the best way to do it.  These heaters are powerful enough to heat the standard home garage and offer a great deal of heat for a great deal of value.  To find the right gas garage heater for you, we at Surf’n’Buy have found the three best value heaters on the market.  These heaters offer a range of different square footage and fuel sources so that you can simply switch them on and get warm.

Top 3 Gas Garage Heaters

1. Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT


The final option on our list is the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT.  This space heater can pack up to 35,000 BTU and can areas of up to 750 square feet, making it perfect for home and internal use. The blue flame burner ensures effective and even convection heat so that the whole room gets heated and not just the area around the heater.  This heater is small and compact so as to fit in any space and any room to keep it warm and cozy, so you won’t have to find room for the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT.

The electronic ignition makes this space heater incredibly easy to light at just the click of a button.  With full control over the output temperature, you can adjust the heat to the level you like without having to manually turn the heater on and off to maintain the right level. This heater comes with wall mount hardware and legs included so that you can place it wherever you like in the room to provide you with the  heat and comfort you want.


  • Able to heat up to 750 square feet, the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT is perfect for home use to keep living spaces warm and comfortable during the colder months.
  • The small and compact design makes it easy to fit this space heater into any room and with wall mounting ability, you can place this space heater anywhere you like to provide warmth.
  • The electric ignition saves you time and energy, you can simply switch it on and get cozy.
  • With a thermostat included, you can easily monitor the temperature of the room and the heater to ensure comfort and safety.
  • The automatic shut of feature senses when there is low oxygen to keep the room safe from carbon monoxide and low ventilation.


  • At its lowest setting, some customers have reported they can smell gas, which can be slightly dangerous if there is a leak.
  • The pilot light can turn off relatively easily, which may need regular monitoring and this can be annoying for some users.
  • There is no built in fan to keep the heat circulating around the room, so areas closer to the space heater may be warmer than others.
  • The cover of the heater can rattle when it turns on which can be irritating in quieter areas.
  • The set up of the space heater can be slightly complex for beginner users, which may take up too much time or be inappropriate for those unfamiliar with gas connections.


The final option on our list is the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT.  This space heater is both compact and easy to use so you can get up and running as fast as possible.  With the ability to stand it on the floor or mount it on a wall, you can place this heater anywhere to heat up to a 750 square feet space. The automatic monitor can sense when there is low oxygen and will automatically shut of the heater to ensure the safety of those in the room.  If you are looking or a simple yet high quality space heater, look no further than the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT.

2. Mr. Heater Corporation F299811


The Mr. Heater Corporation F299811 offers a huge 10,000 BTUs to quickly heat spaces of up to 250 square feet, making this gas garage heater perfect for home use.  The radiant heat burner offers consistent and even heat to ensure there are no hot or cold spots across your garage.  Multiple burner tiles provide quick and efficient warming to keep your garage as warm and comfortable as possible in the shortest time.

The automatic low oxygen shut off point keeps your room safe and secure as you use this gas garage heater.  The easy piezo ignition simply switches on at the press of a button and the variable output keeps you in full control of the temperature of the room. Each notch, 1 to 5, will result in about a 12.5 degree Fahrenheit change in the temperature of the room.  The Mr. Heater Corporation F299811 can be mounted on the wall or simply be free standing so that you can move the heater around the garage as you need it so you always have heat where it is necessary.

Lightweight at only 17 pounds, you can move this gas garage heater as easily as possible without needing to lug around a heavy machine.  That makes it the ideal heater to have in your home or garage to keep you warm and toasty any time, anywhere.


  • 10,000 BTUs provide quick and efficient heating.
  • Capable of heating up to 250 square feet, this is the ideal heater for a standard garage or for use around the home.
  • Designed with multiple burner tiles, this heater provides plenty of heat in the shortest time possible.
  • The piezo ignition is built into the rotation knob for quick and easy ignition.
  • The variable temperature puts you in control of the warmth of the room so that you can adjust it as needed.
  • Able to free stand or be permanently mounted on a wall, you can move the heater as you need it or keep it stationary.
  • The lightweight design is easy to move and transport as needed.
  • CSA certified, you can be sure that this is a safe and secure indoor gas heater for your home.
  • This heater can be used up to 4,500 feet in altitude, ideal for those in higher regions.
  • This heater can be used with two different kinds of pipes so that you can use your own pipes to connect to the tank.


  • There is no fan installed in the Mr. Heater Corporation F299811 so the heat does not move around the room as fast as other models.
  • Some moisture will be produced during use, so you will need to ensure the room is adequately ventilated.
  • There is no thermostat installed in this heater and this will need to be purchased separately if you require one.
  • There is only a low or a high heat setting which does not give you as much variability with the heat settings.
  • This heater will not be suitable for larger garages.
  • This heater cannot be converted from propane gas to natural gas and vice versa, limiting the fuel sources available.


If you are looking for a powerful heater for your garage that will keep the place warm and comfortable, the Mr. Heater Corporation F299811 is the way to go.  This heater has a powerful 10,000 BTU output and will quickly and evenly heat up to 250 square feet.  You can decide to mount or keep the heater portable so that you can heat the areas which need it most.  With easy ignition and temperature control, you can adjust the heat as and when you need it.  For a top quality gas garage heater, this is an excellent model to consider.

3. Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2


The Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 offers duel fuel technology so that you can operate it with liquid propane or natural gas, so there are no limitations with this gas garage heater.  The powerful 30,000 BTU output can heat up to 1,000 square feet, which is ideal for those with larger garages.  The blue flame design works in the same way as a central heating system using convection to move the air around the room.

The thermostat control maintains the ideal heat and gives you full control over the temperature of the room.  The wrongful shut off prevents the heater from continuing to work when it has fallen, when the wrong fuel has been connected, or when there is a lack of oxygen in the room.

At 29 pounds, this heater is a little heavy, but your purchase includes everything you need to mount the Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 to the wall so that you get an even temperature throughout the room with no hot or cold spots.  The battery assisted lighter allows for quick and easy ignition so that you can get your room heated as fast as possible with no need to reach for lighters or matches.


  • The Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 can be powered with either liquid propane or natural gas so there is no need to hook it to the gas mains if you don’t want to.
  • Capable of heating up to 1,000 square feet, this is the ideal garage heater for larger spaces.
  • The blue flame creates a convection heat to warm the entire room.
  • With an easy ignition and thermostat control, you can quickly turn on the heater and warm your garage to the perfect and most comfortable temperature.
  • With everything you need to mount the heater, assembly and installation is fast and simple.
  • For an extra cost, you can purchase a specifically designed fan to attach to the heater and move air around the room quickly.


  • This heater is slightly heavier than other models so installation may be a little more difficult.
  • This heater can go through fuel relatively quickly which may end up being rather expensive in the long term.
  • The thermostat may not be completely accurate, so it could take some trial and error to ensure you get the right temperature.
  • There is not a fan installed in the heater and this will need to be purchased at an extra cost.
  • There can be a smell for the first few uses as the heater turns on which can be irritating for some consumers.


If you are looking for the ideal garage heater for larger garages, this is the heater for you.  Capable of heating up to 1,000 square feet, this heater will not struggle to warm up larger garages and rooms.  The quick ignition and thermostat control puts you in total control of the temperature of the room.  Although not able to free stand and move around, this heater has everything you need to attach to the wall and provide even and comfortable warmth throughout the room.  For those with larger garages, the Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 is one of the best heaters on the market to do the job.

Are Indoor Garage Gas Heaters Safe?

Indoor garage heaters have been known to be problematic in the past because they suck air in in order to heat it and this can reduce the oxygen in the room.  They have also been known to be a bit of a fire hazard.  However, those days are over.   Modern indoor gas heaters have been fitted with various safety features to make them much more suited for indoor use to keep you and your loved ones safe. 

Most heaters have an automatic sensor and shut off function in case the oxygen in the room depletes to an unsafe level, which limits oxygen shortages.  Other  indoor gas heaters shut off when they tip or fall and the Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 shuts off when the wrong fuel has been used.  This ensures that you are as safe as possible when using your indoor gas heater.

Although gas heaters always pose a slight safety concern due to the nature of the fuel and flame, with proper maintenance, you shouldn’t be worried about your heater.  Simply follow the instructions in the user’s manual to maintain your gas heater regularly and you will ensure safety during use.  All heaters will need to be cleaned to remove dust and debris, and you will also need to ensure adequate ventilation in the room to ensure plenty of oxygen and remove any moisture which is produced.  Following these steps and quick and easy, and well worth your time to keep your garage safe when using the heater.

Make sure to remember to turn off the heater before you go to bed and keep children and pets away from them so that no one gets hurt, as gas heaters tend to be very hot in the immediate vicinity.  It’s also a good idea to keep heaters away from flammable objects such as curtains and boxes.

Which Gas Does a Gas Heater Use?

Gas heaters can use a multitude of different fuels.  The most common is a propane gas heater, which has the added benefit of being cheap.  Some indoor gas heaters use butane, which can be a little more expensive.  Other models use liquified petroleum gas, which burns hotter but is also more expensive. Then, there are models which connect to the natural gas mains which run into the home.  Natural gas is generally the cheapest fuel available to consumers. These models will need to be mounted and generally cannot be moved once installed. Depending on your needs, you will need to consider which gas fuel is best for your needs.

If you want some flexibility in your gas fuel selection, the Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 can use either natural gas or propane gas so you can connect it to the gas mains or simply purchase propane.  This gives you the freedom to decide how you want to power the indoor gas heater and at what cost.

The fuel type will also change how long the tank lasts.  If you are hooked up to the natural gas supply, you won’t need to worry about running out of fuel.  However, if you are purchasing tanks, this is a valid consideration to ensure you know how much you will be spending and how often.  Petroleum gas lasts a little longer than butane and propane, but it is generally more expensive to buy.  Depending on how high you set your heater, the actual rates of use will change, but it is important to note that gas makes things a little more difficult in terms of budgeting, as you may need to pay for the gas on delivery.  Some suppliers spread the cost if you subscribe to regular refills, so check with suppliers before you purchase an indoor gas heater.

Natural Gas Heaters Energy Efficiency

When you are purchasing an indoor gas heater for your garage, one of the things you may be wondering about is energy efficiency.  Garages are generally more draughty than inside the home, so heat can be lost quickly.  Therefore, you need to consider energy efficiency to make sure you’re not wasting money on heating an area which could lose temperature.

If you are heating the entire garage for a few hours or more, then a convection gas heater is the ideal option as it will create a more even temperature throughout the room.  However, if you are only heating a garage for a short period of time, you may want to consider a fan or radiant heater as they move heat around the room faster, but they won’t achieve an even temperature throughout the room unless used for a while.

As there are different kinds of indoor gas heaters that you can use in your garage, it’s impossible to say exactly how energy efficient they will be.  Gas heaters are not as efficient as electric heaters, but they generally burn a lot hotter, which is ideal when you live in a colder climate. 

For natural gas in particular, though, we have created a useful table to help you calculate roughly how much you will spend on your indoor gas heater when connected to the mains.  Hopefully, this will help you decide which heater is the best and most efficient option for you and your garage.  This conversion will change depending on the output of your heater as the higher the heat, the more gas it will use, so use this table as a rough guide for cost and budgeting.

  Heat Output (BTU/hr) Cost per hour
Radiant gas heater (on high) 20,000 $30-42
Radiant gas heater (on low) 3,500 $8-13
Gas convector heater (on high) 10,000 $18-26

Can You Run a Natural Gas Heater on LPG?

For the most part, natural gas heaters are not able to run on LPG (propane or liquid petroleum).  They need to be converted in order to use a different fuel source and this will need to be done by a professional and can only be done on certain models.  This is because the gas pressure of LPG and liquid gas are different and therefore they need different levels of oxygen for proper combustion.  If the wrong fuel source is used, you can cause serious damage to the heater and cause a fire hazard in the home.

You can convert a heater at home provided you feel knowledgeable enough to do it properly.  You will need to purchase the relevant kit and ensure it is going from the current fuel source to the desired one, as the process is different when going from LPG to natural gas and vice versa.  However, it is recommended that you hire a licensed professional to do this as the process is tricky and if done incorrectly can be incredibly dangerous.

Some modern indoor gas heaters, however, have been created to be able to use both fuel sources.  The Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 is an excellent example of this.  This heater can use both LPG and natural gas as needed so that you can decide how to power the heater without needing to convert it first.  This is much easier and cheaper overall as you can switch between the gas sources if you feel the need to without having to hire a professional to do it for you.

Can You Use Propane in a Natural Gas Heater?

As we said above, propane and natural gas are not interchangeable fuel sources in most indoor gas heaters.  It is also incredibly difficult to convert a heater from one fuel source to another.  If you wish to do this, you will need to hire professional help as it can be dangerous if done incorrectly.  If you are looking for a heater which can use more than one fuel source without needing to be converted, consider the Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2, as this heater can use either fuel source without needing to be adapted or converted first.  This saves you time and money in the long run as you can pick the fuel source which suits you better at the time.

Is it Cheaper to Heat with Propane or Natural Gas?

Propane is usually more costly than natural gas to purchase, but it will produce almost twice the amount of heat for the same amount of fuel.  It is difficult to compare the two as propane is measured in gallons or liters whereas natural gas will be measured in cubic feet or cubic meters.  This can make converting the efficiency of each fuel source to be able to compare the rather tricky.  Professionals use the term BTU, or British Thermal Units to compare different fuel sources, which makes things a little easier.  1 BTU is needed to increase 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.  To make things a little easier, we have included both the BTUs and the square feet that the heaters in our guide are capable of heating.

The actual cost of natural gas will depend on where you live, however gas fuel is almost always more efficient and less expensive than electric powered heaters.  If you don’t have a gas line connected to your home, it is always going to be cheaper to buy propane as the cost of installing a gas line will be large.  However, if you are looking to invest now to see cheaper bills later, it is well worth the expense.  On the other hand, if you are only looking to use your indoor gas heater on a seasonal basis, then a propane gas heater will likely be less work to install and cheaper overall.

The cost of the fuel will also depend on the age of the appliance.  If you are buying new, the gas heater will be more energy efficient than one which is 10 or 20 years old.  Propane heaters also tend to last the longest and repairs are often cheaper, which is another important consideration to take into account as proper maintenance is vital to keep the heater and your home safe and secure.

What Burns Hotter, Propane or Natural Gas?

Propane and natural gas are not that different from one another in terms of heat output, although many believe that propane actually burns hotter.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.  Propane is a much denser fuel than natural gas and will produce around 1.5 times the amount of BTUs per cubic foot than natural gas.  This means that it will last longer but not necessarily that it will burn hotter, its density also tends to make it that little bit more expensive than natural gas. 

Propane is great in terms of cost efficiency, but you should also be aware this makes it a little more dangerous due to its density.  The propane can pool in low spots on the ground if the air is still, so it is vitally important that you ensure adequate ventilation in the garage when you are using the heater to prevent this problem.  Unfortunately, there is no real way to make your heater burn hotter unless you purchase a higher powered heater with a higher level of BTUs. 

This is important to consider when purchasing as you will need to ensure the heater is powerful enough to heat the room properly.  If you buy a heater that has too low a power to heat the room it is in, you will end up wasting gas and losing money.  Make sure to consider how many BTUs or square feet you need to heat before purchasing to ensure you purchase a heater which is built for the job. 


So that’s all we have for gas garage heaters, we hope that we have helped to inform you on the different aspects of gas heaters.  There is a lot of information to take into consideration to find the right heater, so make sure to take your time to consider which heater is right for you.   An added benefit of gas heaters is that they are incredibly dependable and won’t shut off if there is a power outage, providing you with reliable and consistent heat for your garage,

Whether you are considering the Mr. Heater MHVFB30NGT, the Mr. Heater Corporation F299811, or the Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2, we at Surf’n’Buy are certain that these heaters will offer you everything you need and more.  The Dyna-Glo GBF30DTDG-2 can be powered with two different fuel sources without the need for conversion and can heat up to 1,000 square feet of space, perfect for larger garages.  If you are looking for something a little smaller, the Mr. Heater Corporation F299811 offers great value for your home.

We hope that this Surf’n’Buy guide has helped you find the gas garage heater to keep you warm this winter so that you can keep working all year long.

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