Indoor Propane Heater

Few things that Every Propane Heater Owner Should Know

Using propane can be an environmentally friendly and thrifty way of heating your home. Propane is an affordable fuel source in ample supply all over the country.

In the current era of recession and ever increasing fuel costs more and more are turning to propane for their heating needs. There are, however, several safety concerns inherent with using propane for heating that consumers should be aware of. Here are some facts every propane heater owner should be aware of:

1. Even though propane is a fossil fuel, it is generally considered to be one of the cleaner burning gases with fewer pollutants than most petroleum or natural gas derived fuels. A gas under normal conditions, propane itself is not an irritant and does not exhibit any adverse health effects on. 99% of the time heating with propane is cheaper than electric heat in most areas. Additionally, propane burns hotter than electric heat and can warm large areas more efficiently. It should, however, be pointed out that carbon monoxide emissions can be a concern with propane heaters. While this is not a major issue with current models, older units with poor maintenance records are more at risk of increased carbon monoxide emissions.

1. Never store propane tanks indoors. Propane is highly flammable and propane tanks stored indoors near sources of open flames such as gas stoves and water heaters can and do explode frequently.

2. Propane gas is odorless and colorless. It can be impossible to detect in its natural state, and since propane is denser than air it sinks to the floor. This makes propane leaks deadly since it is a highly flammable natural gas that is nearly impossible to detect. Because of this propane suppliers add a chemical called Ethyl Mercaptan, which gives the propane a strong sulfur smell of rotten eggs, making leaks easier to detect.

3. A common problem in many propane heaters is the failure of the pilot light to stay on. This should not be a cause for alarm, since the culprit is almost always a faulty thermocouple, which can be simply be wiped clean. If the problem persists the thermocouple should be replaced.

4. Frosting or freezing of propane regulators is another common problem of propane heaters. While it is normal for a propane tank to frost up under really cold conditions where a lot of gas is being used up for heating, there are precautions you can take to prevent this from happening. The most effective step is to make sure that the propane tank is set up so that the vapor is drawn into the heater and not the liquid propane. Using gas tanks smaller than is recommended for your propane heater is another root cause of excessive frosting. Make sure you use the right sized tank for your unit, and frosting should be a thing of the past.

5. Although propane is sometimes derived as a by-product of natural gas extraction, the two are chemically distinct hydrocarbon compounds and are not interchangeable. While it is possible to convert a natural gas powered heater to propane and vice versa, it is something that should only be done by properly qualified service professionals under strict guidelines laid down by the manufacturer. After changing the fuel type of your heater make sure you get a new rating plate for the unit and have it certified, otherwise you run the risk of being disowned by your insurance company in case of a fire caused by an improperly converted unit.

6. Alternatives to propane heaters include electric radiant heaters and free standing kerosene heaters. Both of these have their advantage and disadvantages when compared with propane heaters; kerosene heaters with a fan forcing warm air can be an economical way to generate heat, but has several unique safety concerns. Electric radiant heaters are normally considered safer and faster acting than propane heaters, but will cost more to run than propane powered heaters and will leave cold spots where it’s not pointed.

If properly maintained and all the safety precautions followed, propane heaters can be the ideal frugal heating solution for your home and family.