Indoor Propane Heater

Is Ventless Propane Heaters Safe To Use In Homes

The image of curling up with your loved one next to a crackling fireplace is one that evokes many positive emotions in most people. Such is the universal appeal of fireplaces that they have been in continuous use in human dwellings in one form or another since the dawn of civilization.

Sadly, these days a fireplace can be an impractical and costly addition to your home. The hassle of obtaining and storing enough firewood to last the winter combined with the cost of constructing a fireplace and ventilation system can take away much of the allure of a cozy fireplace in your living room. Luckily, there are plenty of cheaper and more practical solutions for your winter heating needs available right now. One such solution is the ventless propane heater.

Ventless propane heaters can easily be installed and come in a range of designs and sizes

Some smaller units can simply be stuck in the corner of a room while bigger and more elaborate models have to be wall mounted and hooked up to the gas mains. Regardless of what kind of ventless propane heater you go with, rest assured that it will be far less expensive to install and maintain than a traditional wood burning fireplace. Propane is universally available and is quite cheap compared to other heating fuels. For further savings, go for a ventless propane heater with a low BTU rating.

As with all fossil fuel based heating systems there are advantages and disadvantages to using ventless propane heaters.

Among the biggest advantages of ventless propane heaters are their mobility, affordability and ease of use.

Most ventless propane heater models are designed to be highly portable, making them easy to transport from one room to another. The tanks that store the propane gas fuel source for the units come in a range of sizes and are easily mounted on a dolly, making transporting them a piece of cake. Propane is cheap and widely available. Chances are that the gas your propane heater fuel tank can be refilled at the local gas station or a nearby hardware store. For safety reasons it is always recommended to store propane fuel tanks outdoors and never keep them indoors.

There are a few things buyers must be aware of before purchasing a ventless propane heater

While the name implies a ventless heating system, no gas based heating system can truly be 100% ventless. Adequate ventilation of the room being heating is a must. A sufficient supply of oxygen is necessary for the safe operation of the device, and this can only be achieved by encouraging enough air circulation through the use of proper ventilation.

Additionally, there are certain health risks inherent in all ventless propane heating systems

As ventless propane heaters use up the available oxygen in the room for the combustion process, there is always the chance of suffocation for people or pets in a poorly ventilated room with insufficient air flow. No consumer level fuel based heater has a 100% efficient combustion process - ventless propane heaters are no different. Extended use of a ventless propane heater in a poorly ventilated room can result in elevated levels of carbon dioxide and other harmful carbon compounds. Finally, anyone with allergies might be adversely affected by such heating systems, since they raise the humidity level in the room they are heating and may promote the growth of airborne fungi and bacteria.

Ventless propane heaters are banned or restricted for indoor use in certain jurisdictions, like Canada, Massachusetts and California where officials are concerned about their safe use.

Make sure you consult with your local government authorities for required permits and restriction guidelines on operating indoor ventless propane heaters. When used correctly in a well ventilated area, ventless propane heaters are truly the best, most cost effective way of heating your home.