When people think about heating a shop, they usually think propane or kerosene. Both work, and both have their place. But more shop owners are going electric for a simple reason: an electric heater doesn't burn anything. No fuel to haul, no tanks to swap, no combustion fumes to ventilate, and no smell on your clothes when you come back in the house.
Electric salamander heaters, the rugged, wheeled units built for shops and job sites, are a different category from the plug-in space heater in the spare room. They put out serious heat, and they need serious power to do it. Here's what to check before you buy one.
Know Your Voltage
This is the first question, and it isn't optional. Electric salamander heaters are built for a specific supply voltage, and the common options are 240V and 208V.
- 240V is typical in residential and rural service. Most farm shops, acreage outbuildings, and home garages with a subpanel are fed at 240V.
- 208V usually shows up in commercial and industrial buildings.
The two aren't interchangeable. A heater built for 240V running on 208V produces noticeably less heat. That's why REX offers the 15 kW model in both versions: the PSH15241 for 240V and the PSH15203 for 208V. If you don't know what your building runs on, an electrician can tell you quickly. Find out before you order.
Check Your Panel Capacity
Electric heat draws a lot of current. At 240V single-phase, a 10 kW heater draws roughly 42 amps and a 15 kW heater roughly 62 amps. That calls for a dedicated circuit with the right breaker and wire gauge. Your electrician will size it to code, which usually means some headroom above the heater's draw.
The practical question is whether your panel has room for that. Many shop subpanels do. Some older services don't, and it's better to find out before the heater arrives than after.
Size the Heater to the Space
Electric heaters are rated in kilowatts. To compare with fuel-burning heaters, one kilowatt is about 3,412 BTU. So:
That puts these units in the range of a small-to-mid propane heater. They're well suited to insulated garages, workshops, and enclosed work areas. For a large, drafty machine shed with a door that's open half the day, a high-output kerosene heater like the ZB-K125 will move more heat. Electric works best in a space that holds on to the heat it's given.
What You Get Without Combustion
The advantages are real. Because nothing burns, there's no carbon monoxide from the heater itself and no water vapour condensing on your tools and equipment. You don't need to vent for combustion byproducts or schedule fuel deliveries.
The REX salamander heaters are built for rough environments: powder-coated steel housings, finned tubular heating elements designed for efficiency and long life, a safety thermal cutout, auto-reset overheat protection, and a tip-over switch. The 10" wheels and handle mean you can move heat to whatever corner of the shop you're working in.
What It Costs to Run
Running cost is easy to estimate. A 15 kW heater running at full output for an hour uses 15 kWh. Multiply by your electricity rate and you have your hourly cost at full load. In practice, a heater on a thermostat in a reasonably insulated shop cycles on and off, so actual use is lower. Your rate, insulation, and outdoor temperature will decide the final number.
The Black Friday Sale: November 27 – December 6
All three REX electric salamander heaters (PSH15241, PSH15203, and PSH10241) are up to 18% off during the Black Friday Sale, November 27 through December 6, and shipping is included. If you're unsure about voltage, circuit sizing, or which model fits your shop, call REX at 1-877-453-3964 before you order. We'll help you get it right. You can also shop online at RexEquipment.ca.
