Propane Space Heaters (Pros and Cons)

One of popular space heaters is powered by propane for the fuel or usually people call as propane space heaters. They can be used to heat small, medium or large rooms (depending to the size of the unit). Even they also can be designed as central heating to warm up the entire home.

The size is so crucial and if you ignore this point, your unit cannot work properly and even can lead to the bad efficiency performance that eventually will result an unexpected high utility bills (bad news for your monthly finance).

And as well we know that they can be categorized into the combustion heating appliance that will produce an amount pollutants (like CO that can be so harmful for anyone) when working. This is the key why there are many experts recommend to always and check the venting mechanism carefully (make sure the unit is properly vented). The venting mechanism is not only important to circulate the byproducts of the combustion process to the outside but also important to keep the heating system work well.

You may find some propane space heating units that are designed with unvented-design. As the name implies, this type does not require the venting mechanism. But however, basically the combustion heating units always must be vented in order to reduce the risk of CO poisoning. So, if you seriously care to the safety, it is much more recommended to avoid choosing & using unvented units for indoor use.

Pros and Cons

Propane space heaters are one of popular choices if we are looking for the heating solution with friendlier utility bills. The propane prices are now relatively slightly cheaper than electricity energy and kerosene (depending to the local price in your area). Propane is also a highly efficient fuel in this modern living.

Although there are also byproducts of combustions process, but relatively lower if compared to wood or kerosene heating appliances.

Propane space heating units are able to provide the quickly heating performance with more powerful heat energy output for heating. Even if you compare to the electric space heaters, they can work better in the quickly heating performance, ‘yes’ they work faster for heating than electric units.

The propane fuel is typically stored into a pressurized tank, and this tank is portable enough (can be moved). Therefore, they are best option if you want to use gas heaters but in your local area is not available natural gas pipeline transmission.

However, there are also some disadvantages or downsides that you have to consider! The up-front costs, including for the installation is not cheap (except for portable models). Since the propane that is stored into a pressurized tank, you may run out of the fuel (empty tank), therefore you may need a back up full tank with propane at least one to anticipate this problem.

Moreover, the venting mechanism also can lead to heat losses. But this can be minimized by making sure that the venting mechanism is properly installed, and don’t forget also for the maintenance.

In addition, there are also some homeowners who have perception that propane space heaters is not as safe as when using electric heaters. But as long as you do the maintenance properly and obey the manufacture’s guidelines on how to use your unit properly, your propane space heater can be as safe as like electric heating units. For more detailed information, read also dangers and safety on using propane!