Infrared vs Blue Flame Vent Free Wall Heaters

[scubaz66]

OK Folks, I'm new to this prospect of heating. I've always had central heating and cooling.

Reading the forum trying to get info on the best route for me to heat my 5th wheel this winter in southern OH. I'm looking at either the Vent Free Infrared or Vent Free Blue Flame wall mount or stand alone propane heater. I understand the aspects of one heating the air and the other heating the objects. I have less than 400 sq ft to heat. Either one I decide to purchase will have a blower to circulate the warm air.

Based on what I've already read on the forum it looks like the Blue Flame would be my best route however, the next question is which one gives off the most odor? Which one causes more of the black smoke on the walls and ceilings?

Which one is more efficient on propane usage?

My guess is the Infrared would be less likely to leave all the black smoke on the walls and ceilings and use less propane.

Is purchasing a 20,000 BTU model overkill? Could I get by with a 10,000 BTU model. Given the slight cost difference between the two I'd think the 20,000 unit would me more efficient.

Yes I know the Vent Less isn't the best route due to Co2 gas being released, but the unit has safety measures built in to shut down the unit and my 5th Wheel already has a Co2 Monitor. My main concern is staying warm and not freezing to death.

I'm not one to sit around my home in my t-shirt and shorts during the winter keeping my home 90 degrees 24/7. I stay bundled up with Jeans and a Hoodie so the unit won't be running 24/7. I'm comfortable at 55-60 degrees.

Any positive comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[dcg9381]

I use a 30k and 20k ductless blue flame unit for "emergency" heat in my home if the power goes down. I strongly prefer the blue flame.
I assume BTUs are BTUs in terms of fuel use.. (Then again, heat ratings on ductless units have magic applied to them).

Our 5th wheel (nothing special, one of Thor's units) would heat pretty easily with 1500 watts of electric heat x 2 units and they worked fine well into 20F degrees.

 

[scubaz66]

I use a 30k and 20k ductless blue flame unit for "emergency" heat in my home if the power goes down. I strongly prefer the blue flame.
I assume BTUs are BTUs in terms of fuel use.. (Then again, heat ratings on ductless units have magic applied to them).

Our 5th wheel (nothing special, one of Thor's units) would heat pretty easily with 1500 watts of electric heat x 2 units and they worked fine well into 20F degrees.

Thank You for this information. I do have electric heat in my 5th Wheel as well as a back up generator if loss of power. Given the cost of electric these days I'm trying to supplement with propane as we get deeper into winter. This is the reason I asked questions regarding the efficiency as well as the cleanliness of each style of unit. Radiant vs Blue Flame.

 

[Jackfre]

Radiant is better than blue flame as you hit a higher temp down in the meniscus of the plaque than you get on a BF. The Rolls Royce of VF’s is the Rinnai 510 (5-10kbtu) & 824 (8k-24k btu). The burnerand fan will modulate across that range. Programmable stat built in on the 824. Cool to the touch cabinet. They are pricey, but terrific. They have an internal IR burner. I have an 824 I mistakenly lent to an old old friend and I cannot get it back from him. He says he needs it. I want to use it for heating around the outside table instead of one of the over-head towers. If buying a wall mount unit I’d stick with Empire. The key to success with VF is a clean environment and keep the pilot assembly and burner clean with compressed air.