Propane Space Heaters
Propane heaters run using propane gas as fuel. They can be used in the home, as well as in warehouses, factories, workshops and agriculture.
Propane Heaters
Each propane gas space heaters contain a tank, a valve and a burner unit. The valve lets out a small amount of propane into the burner unit from the tank. Propane is liquid when under pressure, so when it is released from the tank it becomes a gas. The gas can then be lit, usually with a match. Propane heaters need to have their gas tanks filled, and it is important to regularly check for gas leaks.
Propane space heaters can be vented or unvented. Vented heaters are attached to a wall, and have a vent which goes outside. This means that any combustible gases are released outside instead of in the room.
The combustible gases produced by an unvented propane space heater are released into the room, and should not be used in bedrooms, bathrooms or confined spaces. Propane also requires oxygen to burn, and in small rooms this may become limited, and without oxygen more carbon monoxide is produced. Propane gas heaters should never be moved while in use, as this can cause the propane liquid to fall into the burner unit which can cause a potentially dangerous situation.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Some propane heaters have carbon monoxide detectors, which sounds an alarm in the presence of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is odourless and colourless, so this is an important safety device for a propane heater. It is also possible to buy carbon monoxide detectors separately if the propane space heater does not have one included.
Propane Gas Heaters
The installation of a propane gas space heater is very important to its efficiency and safety. They must be installed on a non combustible surface, and kept away from flammable material such as curtains, doors and walls. Wall mounted propane heaters should only be attached to a non-combustible wall. They should be installed precisely to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Propane heaters are often used in warehouses and other industrial settings. Warehouses are very large rooms, allowing effective ventilation, which reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Propane heaters can be used when there is no electricity, and so are often used outside and when camping. They can often be used to heat up patios in the garden. Some units require electricity if they have a fan to blow air around the room.
Convection Heaters
There are three types of propane heater: convection, forced air and radiant propane heaters. All three types can be bought online or at local hardware stores. Convection heaters are useful in large spaces, as they cause natural convective currents in the air.
Forced Air Heaters
Forced air propane heaters are useful in small to medium sized work areas. Air is blown out of the heater and distributed around the room. They can come with a thermostat.
Radiant Heaters
There are two types of radiant propane heater. Tube radiant propane heaters have a burner which pushes hot air into a hollow steel tube. The air heats the tube, and this tube then emits infrared radiation. Luminous radiant propane heaters have a porous ceramic plate, which has propane fuelled flames passing through it. The plate then gives off infrared radiation.