Heater for shed?

[Nomsie]

Hi everyone, just wanted to ask a few questions - as usual! Due to the increase in my herd I have purchased a lovely summer house for them to live in (although a few will stay indoors - I just can't not have piggies in the house now! lol).
The summer house has lovely opening windows for in the summer, and large glass panels in the doors so they will get lots of natural light. We will be insulating the whole thing with polystyrene sheets, but obviously as my piggies currently live indoors I will be putting some heating in there so they don't have to adapt to a colder living environment.

So my questions are these - does anyone currently use heating in their shed? If so, what type?
What thermostat do you use if any?
Do you keep the heating on constantly, or just over night?

Thanks folks

Nomsie and the gang x

 

[nutmeg]

Hi, I use an electric oil filled radiator, so no exposed elements etc. I tend to use it only overnight, but when the temperature really drops like it did the last two years, I have left it on. They have built in thermostats and I've not found it expensive to run. xx

 

[Nomsie]

Thanks for the reply. What temperature do you set it at? x

 

[nutmeg]

It just has a dial, so depending on how cold it is either quarter way, half way or full way round. I don't let the temp dip below about 10 degrees though, I have a digital thermometer in there on a clock. Loads of hay, and snuggly houses too. xx

 

[BossHogg]

I've just got a 2Kw oil filled radiator for my shed, I've also bought 150mm space blanket insulation for the walls/roof. It dropped to -20 here last year so i'm making sure I'm well prepared. This will the first year they staying outside, They used to come in for the winter but since my numbers have grown by 3, I don't have the room inside any more so I'm providing somewhere warm outside.

 

[Nomsie]

Yes, that's my problem too - the numbers have grown, hence the new summer house. I was looking at a 2kw oil filled radiator yesterday - I just hope it's fairly energy efficient. My other half thinks I'm mad as I heat the pond for the fish and now this for the piggies! lol

Nomsie x

 

[Mackers]

I have tubular greenhouse heaters in my bunny sheds. They are only 45w per foot so cost about the same as a 100 watt lightbulb to run a 2ft model ie. virtually nothing.

I put them low down, just above the water bowls to stop the water freezing and since hot air rises, it keeps the shed at a few degrees above freezing throughout the coldest weather. The sheds are also insulated with polystyrene sheeting. I have left them all all day and night when it's been -10 degrees and it's remained at about 3-4 degrees in the shed. I noticed no increase in my electricity bill.