42x48x16 Tube Heater

wewiserangers · May 9, 2026

Having a 42x48x16 fully insulated (fiberglass) shop build this summer. Will have one 18x14 over head door in one 42' end wall.

I got quotes for both 1 and 2 tube heaters. Around $10,000. For 2 tubes and around $6000. For 1 tube.

I'm looking for suggestions on which route I should go on a building this size. This will be a farm shop in central Illinois.

Thanks

PoorUB · May 9, 2026

wewiserangers said:
Having a 42x48x16 fully insulated (fiberglass) shop build this summer. Will have one 18x14 over head door in one 42' end wall.

I got quotes for both 1 and 2 tube heaters. Around $10,000. For 2 tubes and around $6000. For 1 tube.

I'm looking for suggestions on which route I should go on a building this size. This will be a farm shop in central Illinois.

Thanks

My largest consideration with tube heaters is clearance under them. Many rewire several feet directly under the heater.

You mention 16' high. If you mount the tube heater right at the 16 foot, and you park the largest piece of farm machinery right under it and still have 5 or more feet of clearance under the heater?

Before buying the heater, get a good look at installation instructions and verify the clearances.

Bert_ · May 9, 2026

One tube will do a fine job.

Location matters. Right down the middle is not always a good spot. Put it were you spend the most time. Don't put it right above where you always park a big piece of equipment.

cannuck · May 9, 2026

I have layed out a 48' wide shop that I can't yet afford to build on our farm. My layout uses tubes on each side with reflectors at 45 degrees. Means a lot more tubing but I managed to find mine from surplus inventory so quite cheap. Oh: locate burners at entry door end to offset leakage/opening.

PoorUB · May 9, 2026

cannuck said:
I have layed out a 48' wide shop that I can't yet afford to build on our farm. My layout uses tubes on each side with reflectors at 45 degrees. Means a lot more tubing but I managed to find mine from surplus inventory so quite cheap. Oh: locate burners at entry door end to offset leakage/opening.

You need to consider the BTU load. Two tubes can be much more than needed. For the OP's shop he only needs about 60,000 BTU, assuming it is reasonably insulated. Tube heaters are about 80% efficient, so about input 75,000 BTU should be plenty.

42x48x16 Tube Heater

wewiserangers

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PoorUB

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Bert_

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cannuck

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PoorUB

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