Vented or Vent-Free?

rozett · Feb 5, 2005

We have a 200 year-old farmhouse that uses oil-fired central air heat. On one end of the house is a room that was built as a 3-season room, with lots of glass. It has an old (20 years) Jotul propane stove which has been very problematic. Neighbors say the previous owner also had troubles with the stove. Anyway, I would like to replace the ugly thing with a new efficient propane heater similar to the ProCom heaters that Northern Tool sells.

My question... vented or vent-free? I have always had a mistrust of vent-free installations because of carbon monoxide. Todays modern heaters have oxygen sensors that shut it down if levels fall below some standard. A chimney is not a problem as it is already there for the Jotul . So, what experience or recommendations do folks have about vented or vent-free?

Thanks....

thcri · Feb 5, 2005

If your living in the house don't do it. Being in the business we won't under any circumstances install one of them heaters. Two reasons, 1 insurance, 2 cause I have seen too many people die or get poisoning from them things. If you read the instructions really well it will tell you not to install in an area that is not vented properly. Your also relying on a cheap carbon monoxide sensor to shut the thing down.

murph

DocHeb · Feb 5, 2005

Vent free will put out massive amounts of water vapor that will condense on colder walls and cause terrible moisture problems.

Egon · Feb 5, 2005

Code:<hr /><pre> I have always had a mistrust of vent-free installations </pre><hr />

Follow your instincts! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

NY_Yankees_Fan · Feb 5, 2005

Murph,

I just picked up from Home Depot, 50% off end of season, vent less natural gas 20,000 BTU heater for the garage. The 6/10 times a winter I work in the garage I wanted something to take the chill off. My plan is to use it ONLY when I am in the garage. What do you think of this application??

ThistleKop · Feb 5, 2005

I would advise anyone using a ventless heater to buy a carbon monoxide sensor/alarm that can be plugged in an electrical outlet. Not expensive and good protection when coupled with the sensor already on the heater. The moisture problem is another issue. Wouldn't think that would be a problem with occasional use in a garage. This is JMO.

TK

techman · Feb 5, 2005

I too did quite a bit of research when adding a propane fireplace to a new addition. Conclusion was you will get more usable BTU's from a vent free, but concerns like carbon monoxide and oxygen depleation kept me clear of them. I ended up buying a direct-vent from hearthsidedistributors.com. Great price and fast, cheap shipping. Saved about $200 vs. local suppliers.

One thing that was a real warning to me was the rules concerning how much outside air should be provided for combustion. It seemed that this would be an indication of concern with exhause gases and will lower the heating efficiency as well. A CO monitor is good but will not give any indication of problems with CO2 or O2 levems. Remember that newer, tighter houses are more suseptable to this problem.

paul

rswyan · Feb 5, 2005

( I just picked up from Home Depot, 50% off end of season, vent less natural gas 20,000 BTU heater for the garage. )

What did it end up costing you ?

( The 6/10 times a winter I work in the garage I wanted something to take the chill off. My plan is to use it ONLY when I am in the garage. What do you think of this application?? )

I was planning on doing similar myself - was looking at 30K BTU one (ProCom)at Harbor Freight Tools for $99 (not sure if that includes shipping or not.)

I would think it would be a fine application for it. The electric service up in the shed isn't big enough to run the welder so I have to do that out in the garage. I currently have a 28K BTU kerosene here in the garage and I'm getting tired of running after kero 2 1/2 gallons at a time and breathing the fumes. I calculated the cost of operation between the two and I think the natural gas was about 1/6 the cost of the kero or something like that.

thcri · Feb 5, 2005

( Murph,

The 6/10 times a winter I work in the garage I wanted something to take the chill off. My plan is to use it ONLY when I am in the garage. What do you think of this application?? )

I guess I don't know much about your garage and how much leakage it has. If your only out there for a few hours maybe ok?? And every person is different as far as the amount of monoxide one can handle. If this was a business call to my office I would tell you absolutely not.

An interesting story came on the channel 9 news in the twin cities last summer. A young child fell out the back of a boat and almost drown. They had a real hard time keeping this kid alive and the doctors didn't understand the whole situation as to why they were having so much trouble. Finally they discovered carbon monoxide. Ok this kid was only on the back for a few seconds while the boat stopped to talk to another boat, well dad kept the motor running. The carbon monoxide was a shock to everyone and so they did some autopsy's on previous people that drowned while falling out the back of a boat. Carbon monoxide showed up in each of the bodies.

So what I am saying is, your taking a risk especially if your alone. I personally can't believe these manufactures are allowed to make these things and I would think insurance companies would have stopped the manufactures with the law suits they are getting.

Just me, take it for what is worth.

murph