A safe heater for a tack room?

[Diamondindykin]

I have two barn cats that eat in the tackroom. With the weather turning colder I am wanting to put a heater in the tackroom to give them a warm place to go and to prevent my tack from rotting. I am a bit nervous about a floor heater even though the have a turn off switch if bumped. I was thinking about one of those heat lamps that hang from the ceiling.

I was thinking about something like this:

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10052&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=FarmTek&productId=287975

Anyone have any suggestions or experience with safe heaters in the tackroom?

[Eventer55]

For quite a few years now, I've been using one of the heaters that has oil or fluid in it and coils. It looks sort of like an old fashion radiator and is tan. You can adjust the temperature and has low med or high settings. It's a plug in type.

[ExJumper]

For quite a few years now, I've been using one of the heaters that has oil or fluid in it and coils. It looks sort of like an old fashion radiator and is tan. You can adjust the temperature and has low med or high settings. It's a plug in type.

Ditto. I use these anywhere I would otherwise be afraid of fire. They are 100% sealed and very safe.

[Diamondindykin]

Ditto. I use these anywhere I would otherwise be afraid of fire. They are 100% sealed and very safe.

Would either of you have a link to one so I can see what they look like?

Thanks

[ExJumper]

Would either of you have a link to one so I can see what they look like?

Thanks

Mine looks a lot like this one:

http://www.sylvane.com/delonghi-trd0715t-heater.html

I googled "sealed oil heater" to find that picture.

[chaltagor]

We had one of those radiator-type ones and it kept two ferrets warm in an insulated room at the barn. Worked well enough to keep the water from freezing.

Also to keep the kitties warm, I don't know what your cats sleep on, but I've gotten old comforters and made "nests" for them. You take the short end and bunch it together to make a long tube with it then curl it up in a circle or coil. I use fleece or old saddle pads on the bottom or curl them up around cat beds. Cats love them and they insulate them well. Any type of blanket works too, but the comforters are more insulating.

I've even startled the feral cats sleeping in the extra ones. I have to space the beds out so certain cats' noses don't get out of joint. :rolleyes:

[Frank B]

The elements in those radiant heaters reach several hundred degrees temperature.

We bought our DeLonghi (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=249077-33454-TRD0715T&lpage=none) heater at Lowe's. It's a gentle heat, although the heater, especially around the bottom, does get hot enough to be uncomfortable to the touch. They take about 15 minutes to come up to heat, and while not top-heavy, can be fairly easily knocked over.

[deltawave]

We got a small electric one that we built into the wall, just so there'd be no risk of tipping it over. It is the same size as a typical heater grate in your wall, but has the whole unit built in between the studs in the wall. It works great.

It looks something like this (http://www.markel-products.com/01-MenuSystem-CatalogPages/01-Built-inHeaters/MarkelBuilt-in/WallHeat-Residential/ProdDisplayPage.htm), but smaller.

[JSwan]

I have the oil filled radiator - not sure it's the same brand but I got it at Lowe's or Home Depot. It's sealed and energy efficient. I also have it plugged into a GFCI outlet. It it tips over it shuts off automatically. I've never tipped it over and I'm very clumsy.

I'd not use the one you linked to for a tack room. It's going to cost you a pretty penny in your electric bill, and those thing get pretty darn hot. My tack room is warmed nicely by the oil filled radiator. I think you can get one filled with water - but I think the oil filled is more energy efficient.

Good luck.

[Bluey]

We have used these from Wal Mart for many years in our wellhouses and tackrooms and they work fine for us.
Scroll down to the Patton milk parlor heater:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=133026

[PalominoMorgan]

Google EdenPure. Cool to touch but maybe too much of an energy draw.

[QM2]

For quite a few years now, I've been using one of the heaters that has oil or fluid in it and coils. It looks sort of like an old fashion radiator and is tan. You can adjust the temperature and has low med or high settings. It's a plug in type.

I was using one of these as well but this year I put it on and came back in a 1/2 hr and the whole tack room was filled with smoke. It was only two years old and I only used it in the tack room.

I'm now looking for an alternative heater which I will only leave on when I'm there. A barn fire is my worst fear.

[goodhors]

We have a regular house baseboard heater, in the tackroom. It is set very low, 50F, and does a good job in the heavily insulated tackroom. We did have to reset the thermometer up high on the wall, to get a better tempeture control. Hot air rises, with low thermometer on wall, it was not reading the temps correctly. Room would be REALLY hot, but cold near the floor where the thermometer was.

Anyway the baseboard heater is about 6ft long, 8-10 inches tall, 4-5 inches deep, screwed to the wall along floor out of the way, pretty economical to run. Especially when we keep the temps turned down. Room is warm for the leather tack, nice to step into from the cold barn area. I clean the heater with the vac every fall before turning it on. Face snaps off to clean the vanes around heat tube. Tack room is about 12ft x 24ft with 8ft ceiling, cement floor.

No place in there for a free standing space heater. We have TOO MUCH STUFF to move around in there easily.

[Bank of Dad]

My cats get locked in the tack room most nights, I just give them lots of bankets and stuff to sleep in. Most nights the water doesn't even freeze, even if it gets down in the 20's. Tack is ok too, not worth the risk of fire.

[Cindyg]

I have an infrared heater, like the one you linked, in my stall.

It doesn't warm the air, but if you stand under it, you will feel the heat. It has a small area of effectiveness. You really have to be right under it to feel the heat. If you're off to the side, I don't think you'll feel it. And if your kitties go under something, they'll get no benefit at all.

When I'm in the barn on winter nights, I can definitely feel it, even through my coat. But it's not a lot of heat.

I don't know how effective it would be at protecting your tack.

Do a websearch for "shop heaters" or "garage heaters" to get some more options that would be safe in a barn.

[fivehorses]

The plug in heaters scare me. Not tipping over as much as how hot the cord and plug get.
I don't have a tack room, but if I did, I would consider a propane heater with a tank outside. Of course professionally installed.

I have a ceramic small heater that I use in my bathroom, but if that is turned on high or its really cold out, the cord and plug get too hot and I shut it off.

[Ranchin Gal]

I have a radiator heater on very low in my tack room and one of the infrared heaters in a stall for emergency use. (Like when we had a foal born in February & it was -30!)
I have used the radiator heater on the lowest setting for quite a few years and it keeps things from freezing up in my insulated tack room. I think my brand is a Honeywell.

[SportNCurls]

I haven't seen lights like you posted before, but I wonder if they get HOT like the ones I use for my chicks do???? I too worry about the eletrical safety.. being sure the cords don't get hot/ short out. Chain doesn't break and they fall.... ( I am picturing cat attempting to jump from high perch)

In all honesty do you Really need to heat the room for the cats? My guys have the skin of a RHINO (just did round of rabies shots last mont and it was HARD and I am very comfortable with shots/ needles !!!!!!!!!!) and buddy up nesting in my hay loft , in the straw , and even in stalls. They seem quite comfortable even sleeping solo.

As far as rotting tack.. is it enough to have an insulated tack room? I really never thought out that.. I do keep my most valuables in the house.. and bridles with bits so I don't stick cold metal in their mouths....

I am interested in hearing heating options...

oh last random thought what about investing in a small outdoor wood furnace that pumps heat into the tackroom? they are supposed to be safe and are used in heating houses ??? I know we looked into one to heat our house, and it came equipped with a second line to go to an auxillary building such as workshop or greenhouse.

[TikiSoo]

Thanks for expressing your fear, 5horses because I feel exactly the same way.
My barn's tack room has a bathroom off of it and they have one of those sealed oil radiator heaters in there. (for the cats!) I am terrified of a barn fire and worry, probably needlessly about hot cords or electrical shorts and the like. The walls have never been "finished" with exposed paper covered fiberglass insulation.
Granted, our winters can reach 15 below, but it seems like an awful chance to take for cats who could conceiveably be kept in the house basement for a few ultra cold days.

I'd be much happier if the heater was only used during those hours when people were around and the horses are outside.

[JSwan]

I think it's important to remember that many many barns are not wired properly to begin with. When choosing any type of appliance, figure out if your wiring can handle it before sticking the plug into the outlet. Most localities don't require barns/ag buildings to meet code requirements, and many people use the wrong gauge wiring, don't have the right service run to the barn, don't use GFCI outlets, etc.

Don't mean to lecture but I notice folks don't always consider that when these subjects come up.

[Loves to ride]

For people that use heaters in your tack rooms..

Do you leave them plugged in all the time?

I have a small 12'x12' tack room, insulated (somewhat) and I'd be interested in putting somethere in it to keep the temp in the low 40's, but I am a freak worrier about fire. I had never considered doing anything until reading this thread but sounds like there may be some options for a fire-worrier like me? As an aside, our house trailer caught fire with me in it when I was a kid so I have a very. healthy. respect for fire (okay yes, borders on paranoia).

The oil one that was mentioned looks interesting..

In googling EdenPure, looks like some negative customer reviews.

[lilypondlane]

When I built my barn, I had a wall heating unit installed and only turn it on when the temp is going way down. I've used those oil-filled radiators in the past and had one bad experience like QM2 and no longer trusted the darn things.

I found a kitty cushion that is deisgned to reflect the cat's bodyheat back to the cat and my old, blind cat who likes to live in the (unheated) garage always chooses this cushion when the weather gets cold. I don't remember where I bought it -- thought it was PetsMart but looked the other day and didn't see any -- but I'd like to get a couple more since they use zero energy, have zero risk of fire and seem to work. Oh, just Google'd and someone on ebay has them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Slumber-Pet-THERMAL-Kitty-CAT-MAT-Bed-Dog-Thermo-*NEW*_W0QQitemZ120333222022QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20 081113?IMSfp=TL081113115009r13691

[Diamondindykin]

Thanks for everyones replies!! I am also a fire worrier and that is why I am trying to get peoples opinions and experiences.

My tackroom is 10 x 10 and very well insulated but it can still get chilly in there. My two outdoor cats eat in there but I would like to try and get them to sleep in there when it gets cold so that is why I am thinking about putting a heater in there to entice them in to coming in there to sleep. One cat currently sleeps outside in the rain and the other one will go and sleep in the hay upstairs in the loft. When she comes down when I come to feed she definetly feels cold to me.

Everyone has given me lots of ideas. I am thinking of printing some of these heaters out and taking them to my local fire station to see what they think.

[goodhors]

I think it's important to remember that many many barns are not wired properly to begin with. When choosing any type of appliance, figure out if your wiring can handle it before sticking the plug into the outlet. Most localities don't require barns/ag buildings to meet code requirements, and many people use the wrong gauge wiring, don't have the right service run to the barn, don't use GFCI outlets, etc.

Don't mean to lecture but I notice folks don't always consider that when these subjects come up.

Have to agree with JSwan, have your basic electric wiring heavy enough to take the power load of heaters!! Hot cords and plugs are a REALLY bad sign. You need heavy gauge wire running to outlets, many circuts to run things that draw lots of power like heated buckets, stall and wash stall heaters. GFCI outlets should be the ONLY kind used in barns! Practice dust removal, from bulbs, outlets, wall switches, they also lead to fires. Put in a power outlet, don't run extension cords. They make the power draw harder work for the device at the end, heating them up even more.

Have you thought cost of running the heater? Those little heaters are designed to run for shorter times, just warm up an area, not full time. They make the power meter SPIN while running. Sure no savings along with your tank heaters and other cold weather accessories driving up the power bills. We definately notice when the tackroom heater and water tank heaters are being run, shows in the higher dollar amount they want each month for electricity. Hate to think what those oil and ceramic heaters cost to run.

[AdAblurr02]

When our forced air furnace crapped out last year, we "made do" with three of the small oil-filled radiator types - I believe they are DeLonghi brand. They are VERY efficient, and if kept on the LOW range setting, are not big power users. Our power bill actually went down from the electric forced air furnace consumption! I got them on sale for about thirty bucks each at Lowes. They got us through, very comfortably, until we could get the furnace fixed.

FWIW, my leather shop/tack room is about 12 x 24, two rooms with a wide door between, concrete floor that gets really damp each winter when the water table rises :( :( I have used an oil filled radiator heater in there, on LOW, for years now. I place the heater out from the wall, so the air can circulate around and through it. It keeps it at least fairly dry, if not exactly warm. In this area (Pacific NorthWet) dry is GOOD.

People who have issues with these heaters may be running them at higher power levels - which IMHO are too much draw for the supply cords they are made with. Feel the cord, near the plug end - if it's warm, you are pulling more power through it than you should be for the wire size. Turn it down!

Those little heaters that install in the wall have a pretty abysmal history of failure.... ie, fire hazard. I wouldn't use one after doing the research on them.

[Diamondindykin]

As far as wiring goes I am all good there. As a matter of fact my husband just put in a much larger panel last month so I can put in some more lights and a water heater next year. I will never use up what is available there!! He personally wired the barn when we built it 7 years ago and he is very anal about stuff like that so I have no worries about that.

I am only planning on running a heater at night on low/medium so I am not too worried about the extra electricity. Like AdAblurr02 we just switched from forced air in our huge shop (our business is from home) to a wood burning stove so we are actually saving lots of money on our electric bill right now.

I also live in the PNW and when the water table gets high sometimes the concrete in there sweats or is wet so I am also hoping running a heater in there will help.

[QM2]

Diamondindykin i had a arn cat that hurt itself last winter and had to e crated. I bought a disk insert that you heat in the microwave and it heats for 12 hrs. It was great! I think I ought it at Petsmart. You might try that.

[justahorseymom]

This heater is inexpensive at Costco's. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11298263&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US I was considering the thought of using it in my guy's run in shed - on a controlled thermostat plug - for those truly cold evenings. But is that silly? Thoughts?

[Cindyg]

This heater is inexpensive at Costco's. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11298263&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US I was considering the thought of using it in my guy's run in shed - on a controlled thermostat plug - for those truly cold evenings. But is that silly? Thoughts?

I have something similar in my run-in stall, and I've never had a bit of trouble with it. I only turn it on on the coldest, wettest nights of the year. My horses, however, don't seem to care or notice it. I've certainly never seen them huddle under it! I use the hay to keep them under it.

They may not care, but I sleep better knowing it's there.

:)

[vickienme]

In a small room I like to use the 1500 watt heat lamps, with shield. Two of them if necessary when it gets colder. They have clamps too so you can place them where you want them easily. I get them at my local farm co-op store. Keeps my pump and feed room warm. at least 50 degrees when it's below zero outside.