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Because fueled heaters emit carbon monoxide, they
may not be suitable for indoor home use. However, these units are
excellent for heating areas that are large and well-vented, such as
patios and warehouses. The two most popular fueled heater options,
propane and kerosene heaters, are great options for efficient and
rapid heating.
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Outlay Costs: Low to
medium
Energy Costs: Depends on propane consumption
Safety: Only for outdoor use or
well-ventilated areas; look for safety shut-off controls and tilt
switches |
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These heaters often come in the form of
patio
heaters and
gas fired
heaters, and they are relatively small for the amount of
space they can heat. Instead of staying inside during the
colder months, you can relax in your backyard or patio with an
extra-warm patio heater. Freestanding patio heaters usually weigh
less than 30 pounds and feature around 20 feet heating circles!
And for
warehouses and industrial areas, gas-fired heaters offer extremely
efficient and rapid
heating. Because fueled heaters do not require electricity,
they can be very cost-effective.
The one thing to keep in mind when purchasing a
propane heater is the cost of fuel. Propane tanks can be
purchased or rented from a propane supplier, and one gallon of
propane produces around 91,500 BTUs of heat (click
here to read more about BTUs). Therefore, if you have a
heater rated at 25,000 per hour, divide 91,500 by 25,000 to find
your estimated propane consumption (this will result in 3.66 hours
on one gallon of propane at full capacity). With
the above heater scenario, if you spend 80 hours a month in your
shop or workplace, you will go through 22 gallons of propane a
month. Here is a simple formula to estimate propane
consumption:
91,500 / Heater BTUs per Hour = Hours the
Heater Will Run on One Gallon of Propane
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Outlay Costs:
Medium to high
Energy Costs:
Can be high; uses both fuel and electricity
Safety: Look for
automatic overheat/safety shutoffs |
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Kerosene heaters are also a very popular fuel heater
option. These heaters use both fuel and electricity, serving
the same functions as propane heaters but at the same time
burning much cleaner. They can also provide
localized heat for tough industrial work areas and
warehouses. A popular type of kerosene heater commonly used
in warehouses is oil-fired heaters. These specific kerosene
heaters also provide great efficiency and rapid heating
power. However, like propane heaters, they are not
recommended for indoor use because they come with carbon
monoxide emissions, risk of burns, and safety hazards of
flammable gas ignitions.
These heaters must be adequately vented at four times
greater per each BTU/hour for unvented heaters than for vented
heaters. |
Propape and Kerosene Heaters >>
Heater Guide Main Page >> |
