Dr. Infrared Heater DR-975 7500-Watt 240-Volt Hardwired Shop Garage Electric Heater, Wall/Ceiling Mounted Review (2026)

Overview

The DR-975 is a hardwired electric heater from Dr. Infrared Heater designed for garage and shop spaces, rated at 7500 watts on a 240-volt circuit and producing up to 25,597 BTU of heat output per hour of continuous operation. Dr. Infrared Heater lists the unit as suitable for spaces up to around 600 square feet, which covers a typical two-car garage under normal insulation conditions and a standard ceiling height. The heater can be mounted on either a wall or ceiling using the included bracket, keeping it out of the way of parked vehicles and workbenches rather than taking up floor space like a portable unit.

Heating elements and airflow

Inside, the heater uses spiral steel sheath electric heating elements, which the manufacturer describes as running at low sheath temperatures for more uniform heat output and longer element life compared with some simpler resistance heater designs. A heavy-duty, thermally protected ball bearing motor drives the fan, which the manufacturer states is matched to the heating elements to maximize airflow while minimizing turbulence and operating noise during regular use. The stamped steel front cover includes five adjustable louvers, letting the airflow direction be aimed toward a specific work area or bench rather than blowing straight out in one fixed direction across the whole garage space.

Controls and thermostat

The DR-975 includes a built-in thermostat with remote control, letting the temperature be set anywhere between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit without needing to reach the unit itself once it is mounted overhead. That remote thermostat is a meaningful convenience for a ceiling-mounted heater, since wall-mounted mechanical controls on a similar unit would otherwise require a ladder or a nearby wall switch each time the temperature needs adjusting. Being able to dial in a specific target temperature also helps avoid running the heater at full 7500 watts more than necessary throughout the day.

Installation requirements

This is a hardwired unit rather than a plug-in heater, and the manufacturer's own documentation specifies using 6 AWG copper wire for the electrical connection on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, work that should be done by a licensed electrician given the amperage and voltage involved in the installation. That installation requirement is worth budgeting for separately from the heater's purchase price, since running a new 240-volt line from the breaker panel is a real electrical project rather than something most homeowners can safely do themselves. Once installed, the heater includes a 1 year parts and labor warranty from the manufacturer covering defects in the unit itself and its components.

Who it's for

This heater fits a garage owner who wants to seriously raise the temperature of a full two-car space rather than warm a single work area, and who is prepared to have an electrician run a dedicated 240-volt circuit for the hardwired connection. The 7500-watt output and remote thermostat make it a strong option for cold climates or larger uninsulated garages, but that same wattage means a noticeable increase in electricity costs when the heater runs regularly through a cold winter season. Anyone who only needs to warm a small bench area, or who wants to avoid an electrical installation project entirely, should consider a smaller plug-in heater instead.

Frequently asked questions