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Who Installs Electric Garage Heaters? Here’s Who to Hire
An electrician installs electric garage heaters safely and to code
Photo: Kirill Gorlov / Adobe Stock Photography
Photo: Kirill Gorlov / Adobe Stock Photography
Highlights
Installing an electric garage heater involves electrical wiring and proper circuit protection managed by a licensed electrician.
Expect an electrician rate up to $130 per hour, with at least two hours of labor for basic installs.
Costs rise when adding a subpanel, running longer new wiring, or changing out circuit breakers.
Larger heater units can surpass $1,000, and insulating the garage can improve efficiency and comfort.
Hiring a pro ensures permits, local code compliance, correct sizing, and reduced fire risk.
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This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
If you are asking who installs electric garage heaters, the answer is a licensed electrician. These power-hungry appliances demand safe, reliable, and long-lasting installation that meets local codes. Electricians determine amperage and circuit needs, obtain permits, and verify your panel capacity, advising you when a subpanel is necessary.
Benefits of Hiring an Electrician for Installing an Electric Garage Heater
Hiring an electrician delivers safe, reliable results for a power-hungry heater. They help size the unit correctly and allocate amps across circuit breakers. They also obtain permits and ensure the installation meets local codes with all safeguards in place.
Consider these other reasons to hire a licensed electrician for your electric garage heater installation:
Helps select the correct heater size for your space
Evaluates panel capacity and advises on subpanel needs
Chooses proper wiring to handle the load
Implements safety measures to minimize fire risk
Obtains required permits for the job
Follows local codes to protect future resale and service
Installs and configures circuit breakers
Places circuits correctly to manage amperage safely
Tests operation to prevent breaker overloads
If you’re not comfortable working with high-voltage wiring or want to ensure everything is up to code, hire an electrician near you to handle the installation safely and efficiently.
Can I Hire a Garage Builder to Install an Electric Garage Heater?
A garage builder can likely handle installation when you are adding on or building a new garage. In many cases, the builder will subcontract the electrical work to a licensed electrician. Confirm who performs the electrical portion and how services are bundled in your contract. One advantage is having a single point of contact during construction. A drawback is that builders without an electrical license will subcontract, which can add scheduling layers.
How Do Electricians Install an Electric Garage Heater?
Electricians follow a standard process when installing electric garage heaters:
Assess the garage and recommend the correct heater size for the open space.
Determine whether new wiring is needed from the main panel to the garage or if existing wiring suffices.
Check electrical panel capacity and advise if a subpanel is required.
Install any new circuit breakers to handle the heater’s load.
Install a junction box and route wiring in conduit to the heater location.
Mount the heater securely to wall studs using its bracket.
Open the heater and connect the wiring to the junction box feed.
Wire a separate thermostat if the unit requires one.
Test operation and confirm it does not overload any breaker in the main panel or subpanel.
Verify safe operation and minimize fire risk before finalizing the job.
How Much Does Installing an Electric Garage Heater Cost?
Plan for an electrician rate up to $130 per hour. Expect at least two hours of labor, with more time needed if the job involves adding a subpanel, long wiring runs, or changing circuit breakers. Materials influence electrical garage heater cost too—a larger heater unit can surpass $1,000. Insulating the garage improves efficiency, with an average insulation cost of $4,700.
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