Unvented natural gas space heaters

[ROGUE]

Ok, most of the stuff I find on this topic is from the 90's. Whats the story, deadly, bad, or what? Cant even find any reasonable vented units. Are unvented units safe for occasional use and emergency use when power goes out? Anyone have any NEW information that isnt from california in the 90's?

 

[waybomb]

How can they be safe? Combustion results in CO.

A freind recently installed a new ventless fireplace, just because it would be an easier install. It was out within a week and a vented one installed.

 

[mikes280]

check northern tool they have a few. i am looking at one for my shop

 

[Trim'd Up]

Just a quick google search comes up with a bunch of them for sale. My mom has two in her house to back up the woodburning furnace. With both of them running the CO detectors never go off. I wouldn't want one for your main source of heat, but for a backup I see no problem with them.

 

[Buoy]

I used to install Fireplaces in the 90's - but I'll give you what info I had from then.

The vent-free type have an automatic CO sensor that will shut it off it reached any level that would come anywhere near being something to worry about.
Safe.

For temp. or emergency use, I don't see a problem.

BUT, for regular use... A by-product of the combustion is alot of moisture.
If the surface of windows in the room are cold, they will sweat. You're introducing a lot of moisture into the room.
If you've ever seen Direct-vent gas fireplaces (sealed behind glass), when you first fir them up, the glass steams up on the inside, and may even produce water droplets until the glass heats up. Same thing, but, your exterior windows are likely to stay cold, and continue to sweat.

 

[Shockwave]

I use Swank Construction Heaters for new homes under contruction .
They work fine but you need to be careful to leave windows cracked open for ventilation .
The big problem I have with them is they add lots of moisture to the home .
And thats what we are trying to get rid of . So I use them for a good blast of heat then switch over to a conventional forced air furnace asap.

www.schwankgroup.com



Paul

 

[Indy]

BUT, for regular use... A by-product of the combustion is alot of moisture.

BINGO!!!! If used enough they will cause issues with your wall cavities and promote mold problems as well as rot and promote insect infestation. Quite a bit of talk about them in the remodeling industry. Do not go ventless.

 

[VetteLT193]

I've had both. One good thing about the ventless is it really produced heat. The one I have now is vented and it makes a lot less heat in the room so we have to run it 2 or 3 times as long. I think the CO is minimal considering the time I ran the ventless.

So... if you want one for actual heat, ventless is fine. if you want ambiance, go with the vented unit because the sucker will be on a whole lot more.

 

[phragle]

I keep hearing moisture issues...doesn't the normal household furnac really dry out the air in the house to begin with?? a little ambient moisture actually makes it feel warmer doesn't it?

 

[VetteLT193]

I keep hearing moisture issues...doesn't the normal household furnac really dry out the air in the house to begin with?? a little ambient moisture actually makes it feel warmer doesn't it?

It probably depends on where you live and how much you have to run the thing. I never had a problem

 

[MarylandMark]

Glad you started this thread- I've been meaning to look to SOS for some advice.

I have a ventless 38K propane 3 sided fireplace. Empire Comfort is the brand if that matters.

Strong propane smell when it's 1st turned on that lingers for about an hour. No leaks, water column pressure is good, all the little holes the gas comes out of are clear, etc. Had a professional come check it out after I couldn't find any thing and all was ok.

Any ideas? I do open a window to get some air in which helps.

 

[pullmytrigger]

FWIW unvented appliences are illegal in Canada.....period.

should tell you something

From someone who's in the industry the whole thought of it kind of creeps me out actually.

 

[ROGUE]

Thanks for all the input.

Another question.

The gas stove and oven in my kitchen and millions of others burn natural gas in open air, in many cases for hrs each day, unvented.

How is that not causing a problem but there seems to be concerns about heaters that at least try to control the emissions.

 

[Audiofn]

FWIW unvented appliences are illegal in Canada.....period.

should tell you something

From someone who's in the industry the whole thought of it kind of creeps me out actually.

Same in Massachusetts.

 

[Audiofn]

Thanks for all the input.

Another question.

The gas stove and oven in my kitchen and millions of others burn natural gas in open air, in many cases for hrs each day, unvented.

How is that not causing a problem but there seems to be concerns about heaters that at least try to control the emissions.

Your stove may put out 15,000 btu's of heat the fire place will put out 150,000 btu's of heat or more.

 

[mikes280]

ok i see that these things may not be great for the home but how about the garage

 

[ROGUE]

Your stove may put out 15,000 btu's of heat the fire place will put out 150,000 btu's of heat or more.

Unvented gas space heaters are limited to 30k I think. I am only looking at a 20K unit. And the fact that canada, MA, and California bans them doesnt mean anything to me.

 

[phragle]

there isn't much California hasn't banned or is currently in the process of banning.

 

[Audiofn]

Unvented gas space heaters are limited to 30k I think. I am only looking at a 20K unit. And the fact that canada, MA, and California bans them doesnt mean anything to me.

Actually most states have banned them. :sifone::sifone: What if I told you Stec had one when he was a kid?

 

[ROGUE]

Only state ban I could find was CA, where are you getting this info?