Unit Heaters in Fredericksburg, VA
A unit heater is a self-contained heater that hangs from the ceiling or mounts on a wall and blows warm air straight into the space. Robert B. Payne installs, repairs and maintains unit heaters for garages, workshops, warehouses and light commercial buildings across Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania and Culpeper.
- Gas, propane, oil & electric
- Homes & businesses
- 24/7 emergency service
- Licensed & insured
Heating a whole home? See our Fredericksburg heating services. For larger buildings, see commercial HVAC.
Where Unit Heaters Work Best
Unit heaters don’t need ductwork, mount up and out of the way, and heat open spaces quickly. That makes them a good fit for:
Garages
Attached and detached garages where you work on cars, store equipment or just want to keep pipes and paint from freezing.
Workshops
Wood shops, pole barns and hobby spaces where you need steady heat without giving up floor or wall space.
Warehouses
High ceilings and big open floors where a ducted system would be costly to install and slow to heat.
Light commercial
Loading docks, service bays, shops and storage areas that need their own heat apart from the office.
Types of Unit Heaters
| Gas-fired | Electric | Hydronic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Natural gas or propane burner | Electric heating elements | Hot water piped from a boiler |
| Needs | Gas line and a vent to the outside | A dedicated electrical circuit | An existing or new boiler and piping |
| Best for | Larger garages, shops and warehouses | Smaller spaces and occasional use | Buildings already heated by a boiler |
| Watch for | Venting and combustion safety | Higher running cost in big spaces | Freeze protection on the piping |
We also work with oil-fired heaters and larger duct furnaces. If your building already has a boiler, a hydronic unit heater can extend that heat into a garage or shop. Not sure which fits? We’ll look at the space, ceiling height, insulation and fuel you have available.
Unit Heater Installation
Size the heater
We measure the space and look at ceiling height, insulation, doors and windows. An oversized heater cycles on and off. An undersized one never catches up on cold days.
Plan the location
We pick a mounting spot that spreads heat across the space and keeps the unit clear of vehicles, lifts and stored materials.
Run fuel, power and venting
We connect the gas line or electrical circuit and install venting to the outside for gas-fired units.
Start up and test
We fire the heater, check the controls and safety shutoffs, and show you how to use the thermostat.
Unit Heater Repair
Call us if your unit heater:
- Won’t turn on or won’t light
- Runs the fan but blows cold air
- Starts and then shuts off after a few minutes
- Makes rattling, grinding or squealing noises
- Gives off a burning or exhaust smell
Common causes include no power to the unit, a closed gas valve, a failed exhaust fan or a wiring problem. We also repair fan motors, igniters, heat exchangers and controls on all brands.
Gas-fired heaters must vent outside. If you smell exhaust or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, shut the heater off, get everyone out, and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Keep a CO alarm in any garage or shop with a gas heater.
Unit Heater Maintenance
Garages and shops are dusty, and unit heaters pull that dust right through the fan and burner. A yearly tune-up before the cold months keeps the heater running and safe. We:
- Clean the burner, heat exchanger and fan assembly
- Check electrical connections and controls
- Lubricate moving parts
- Inspect venting and test for carbon monoxide on gas units
- Check the fuel supply and thermostat
Between visits, keep sawdust, chemicals and stored items away from the heater, and listen for new noises or smells. Our Energy Savings Agreement adds 15% off parts, labor and overtime, plus priority service.
Commercial Unit Heaters in the Fredericksburg Area
Fredericksburg averages lows below freezing from December through February, and an unheated warehouse or service bay can mean frozen pipes and slow work. We install and service unit heaters for businesses as part of our commercial HVAC services, with upfront pricing and 24/7 emergency service when a heater fails on a cold morning.
Unit Heater Service Near You
What Our Customers Say
Wonderful experience! We have a maintenance program set up with Robert B payne Heating & Air. Our unit stopped working, we called, they came right away and corrected it. Ray Zimmerman was the technician who came. Very professional, courteous, and kind. …
Very trustworthy business and fast. Have used them for years. Brandon is a great tech! Update 6/5- Had my summer tune up today and another very thorough, professional experience with Robert B Payne. Thanks guys!
Brandon Murphy and Spencer have excellent work ethics and demeanor! Very profesional and personable. Bravo Zulu to Robert B. Payne Heating and Air staff for always providing excellent service.
Five-star reviews from our Google Business Profile.
Unit Heater FAQs
What’s the best heater for a garage?
For most garages that get regular use, a gas-fired unit heater heats fastest. For a small garage you use now and then, an electric unit heater is simpler to install. We’ll recommend one after seeing the space.
Do unit heaters need ductwork?
No. A unit heater blows warm air directly into the space it’s mounted in.
Can I heat my garage from my home’s boiler?
Often, yes. A hydronic unit heater uses hot water from your boiler. We’ll check whether your boiler has the capacity and how to protect the piping from freezing.
Does a gas unit heater need to be vented?
Yes. Gas-fired unit heaters need proper venting to the outside, and a CO alarm in the space is a good idea.
Do you service unit heaters for businesses?
Yes. We install, repair and maintain unit heaters in warehouses, shops and other commercial buildings. See commercial HVAC.
How often should a unit heater be serviced?
Once a year, before the cold months. Dusty shops and garages may need the fan and burner cleaned more often.
Do you install unit heaters in barns and workshops in Caroline and King George?
Yes. Our service area includes a lot of farm country, with 214 farms in Caroline County and 169 in King George County in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Unit heaters are a simple way to keep barns, shops and equipment buildings above freezing. Source: USDA.
All Heating Services
Unit Heater Service in Fredericksburg, VA
Call Robert B. Payne to install, repair or tune up the unit heater in your garage, shop or warehouse.
