Vented Vs. Vent-free Space Heaters

What’s The Difference?

Does your home have unheated, or inadequately, heated rooms and spaces?
You’re not alone. Many homes here in North Carolina do.
Perhaps it’s a former sunporch converted to living space, an addition built onto your home, or a garage or shed you use as a workshop.
We offer a solution that doesn’t involve the hassle and expense of running new ductwork or baseboards: vent-free propane heaters from LG Jordan!
Our heaters are of outstanding quality, and are made by top manufacturers Rinnai, Empire, and Heatstar.
With propane heaters, you can:

• Get heating in spaces without heating, or that aren’t reached very well by your home’s heating system
• Zone your home’s heating, so you only heat the space you’re in while not using your heating system to heat areas you’re not using, saving you on energy costs
• Get your room warm faster than with central heating alone!

There are two kinds of propane heaters: vent-free and vented. Both have their distinct advantages. Read on to see what works best for your living situation!

Vent-free Propane Heaters

With a vent-free propane heater, ductwork and vents aren’t required. Installation is easier as well as less expensive than vented heaters.
You can also install them places you can’t install a vented heater, because vent-free heaters don’t need access to an external wall for venting.
They come in a wide range of sizes, so you’ll be able to find the right one for your space.
Today’s vent-free propane heaters come with safety features such as an oxygen depletion sensor, overheating protection, and automatic shutoff. But because exhaust is released inside the home, it is illegal to install vent-free heaters in rooms where people sleep. And some municipalities may ban them altogether. Check your local codes to clarification.

There are two basic types of vent-free propane heaters: blue flame or infrared.

Infrared vent-free heaters use propane to heat ceramic panels that radiate heat onto objects (or people) in the room rather than by heating the air itself. Because infrared heaters are an extremely targeted heat source, they’re great to be near if you’re coming in from the cold outside.

Blue flame vent-free heaters warm the air in the room using convection. That makes them take a little longer to heat a room. However, you get more consistent temperature control than with an infrared heater. These heaters are the best choice for insulated spaces.
Vented propane heaters are vented out from the back of the unit into a chimney or a vent pipe so any dangerous combustion exhausts are directed outside.

They offer a more precise heat that you have more control over. However, they do need to be installed on an exterior wall, so that may limit your placement options for the space you are looking to heat.
Because of also having to install the necessary venting equipment, installation takes longer and is more expensive than vent-free heaters.

What to Know about Propane Space Heater Installation

The installation process for your propane space heating will differ depending on the kind of product you’re adding to your home.

For example, a vent-free propane heater won’t require ductwork or vents. So, the installation will require a relatively small amount of time and effort compared to a direct vent model. Vent-free products tend to be more adaptable in where you can install them, but because they do not vent combustion products outdoors, you need to follow careful guidelines for safe positioning. The LG Jordan team knows the regulations for where a vent-free space heater can go and will ensure yours is in a secure, fully-compliant place. We will also ensure that all the built-in safety components of your heater are fully operational.

Regarding vented propane heaters, these appliances often require a more involved installation process. They need to be installed on an exterior wall and vented through a chimney or pipe. Depending on the existing setup in your home, your installer may need to add pipes through your wall or flue to vent combustion gases.

Regardless of the type of propane space heater you’re installing, it’s essential to have a licensed professional handle the process. Installing any gas equipment requires specialized training, experience, tools and parts.

How to Safely Use a Propane Space Heater

Here are some essential propane space heater safety tips to help ensure you have both a toasty warm room and a safe indoor environment for your loved ones:

• Install both carbon monoxide detectors and UL-listed gas detectors in the room where you have your heater. Please note, these are different types of devices.
• Never leave a space heater running when you’re not in the room or asleep.
• Keep children and pets several feet away from the heater at all times. Also, please be sure that you keep curtains, furniture or anything flammable away from the appliance.
• The flame in your propane heater should always be blue. If you see a yellow or orange flame, then your propane gas is not combusting all the way. Please turn off the heater and contact us for service.
• Never spray anything on your heater, including air fresheners, perfume or deodorant.
• If you smell any odd odors around your heater, please turn it off right away. If you smell gas (which is odorized to smell like rotten eggs or skunk spray), leave the house right away, and once you are a safe distance from the potential gas leak, call 911 and LG Jordan for help.
• Talk to us about arranging regular maintenance for your space heater. Proper care for your appliance will ensure it runs safely, reliable and efficiently for years to come!

Trust LG Jordan with safe, expert installation of a heater that’ll perfectly fit and warm up your residential space. Contact us today to get started with a FREE no-obligation estimate!