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Fueled heaters using propane or kerosene may not suitable for
home use because they need to be vented due to carbon monoxide
emissions, but if you're looking to quickly heat
your patio, warehouse, or other large, well-ventilated area, these
are great options for efficient and rapid heating. The two
most popular fueled options are propane and kerosene.
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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 shutoff controls |
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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 are able to heat. Patio heaters have the ability to
bring the comfort of the indoors to your backyard, and for
warehouses and industrial areas, gas-fired heaters offer 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 91,500 BTUs of heat. 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 another option. Although these
use electricity, they have almost the same function as a
propane heater and burn cleaner. These can also provide
localized heat for tough industrial work areas and
warehouses. However, like propane heaters, they are not
recommended for indoor use because of carbon dioxide
emissions, risk of burns, ignition from flammable gases.
These heaters must be adequately vented at four times
greater per BTU/hour for unvented heaters than for vented
heaters. |
Heater Guide Main Page >> |
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