There are several types of vent-free gas space heaters. This article focuses on two types, The Infrared and Blue Flame heater and log sets. These heaters are available at most Home Centers and many Hardware stores. These particular heaters are 99.9 percent efficient when in use. That is why they don’t need to be vented to the outside. They also contain an ODS or oxygen depletion system, meaning if the oxygen level drops below a certain level in the room it’s in, it will shut down. This is the safest type gas heater available.
Infrared gas heaters
Infrared heaters contain a plaque of ceramic grids that glow orange when they heat up. This type of heat is called Radiant Heat. Infrared heat is just like the sun, it radiates infrared energy to objects in the room. It warms you, furniture, the floor or other objects in the immediate area. Be careful not to place objects near or in front of this type heater. They could overheat over time and create a fire hazard. Always read the manual and safety warnings before using any heating appliance.
Blue Flame heaters
Blue Flame heaters contain a hollow bar type burner that produces a wide row of blue flames. This type of heater is a convection type heater. Rather than warming objects in the room it warms the air in the room, much like most gas heating systems do. This type heater is safer in smaller areas because it doesn’t heat objects but rather the air. Always read the manual and safety warnings to determine safe distances of objects around this heater also.
Vent-Free Gas Logs
There are many different brands of gas logs on the market. Prices can vary widely. You always want to buy vent-free logs. Vented logs are not 99.9% efficient as vent-free log sets are. Also your chimney damper has to be locked in a fully open position. Most of the heat goes out the chimney.
Vent-free gas logs are available as a free standing set of logs and burner that is set inside an existing fireplace. Also, they are available in a free standing unit complete with case and wood mantle. This type can set against a standard room wall. As with the other heaters listed here, no power source is required for them to operate. Many people enjoy the look of gas logs in a fireplace or unit over the other two types listed here. Gas logs are a convection type heater also.
Ideal Supplemental or Emergency Heat
All of these types of heaters will provide nice even warm heat, even in power outages. They do not require any electric power to operate. They all are very efficient, 99.9 percent to be exact. Whereas most other type heating systems are only 70-80 percent efficient and have to be vented to the outside. They are available with an optional blower, but do not have to have it to operate. They are available to use Natural Gas or LP (propane). Many are Dual Fuel heaters, meaning they can work with either fuel. Adjustments have to be made to the heater by a qualified gas installer first before changing fuels. These heaters should always be installed by a qualified gas contractor. This is not something a home-owner can do. If Natural Gas or LP is available already in your home, this is an excellent choice for supplemental heat or as emergency heat. With gas already in your home installation usually is not very expensive.
The vent-free heater types listed here, comes in sizes rated by BTU output. Small heaters are usually 15-20,000BTU rated. This size is good for small to medium rooms. The larger 30-40,000BTU units are best for a large room, or several medium rooms.
Also please note: Vent-Free Gas Heaters are not allowed in bedrooms by most local and national codes.
Always use a qualified licensed contractor to install these type of heaters. It will cost you some money up front, but will last for many years use. If the power goes out in cold weather, you will be glad you have one.
