Safety Question on Heaters near fluorescent lights

[WBSurfer]

My neighbor has been using one of those tall outdoor patio heaters in his garage for years and I decided to get one. In short, it's AWESOME! The heat is more than ideal.

Getting to my point.....I'm curious if the heater when turn on has any affect on the ceiling fluorescent light fixtures. The heater has one of those large circular reflectors that deflects the heat down but regardless, the thing is hot and putting out tons of heat above it as well.

Is this safe or am I overthinking this?

Thanks ahead of time!

 

[The Cobbler]

I bet it's not rated for indoor use

 

[Norcal]

They would be considered a unvented gas heater, illegal in some States to use indoors, and unwise in all.

 

[rlitman]

It isn't safe. You're not over thinking it, though it is much more likely to set something overhead on fire than a fluorescent light fixture.

 

[tfi racing]

Damaging a light fixture isn't the real danger here,carbon monoxide will likely kill you first,after that heat and fire damage is relatively inconsequential...

 

[fteufert]

For anyone using an unvented heater, install a carbon monoxide detector.

As for issues near the ceiling, put a cheap thermometer up there.

 

[cybrdyke]

Ballasts have a thermal cut out in them that is set to shut the ballast down when the case temperature gets to 70c. If it's an old fixture with those big heavy magnetic ballasts in it, the thermal switch is auto-resetting, which means if the ballast shuts down, it will come back on after it cools down. If it's a newer fixture with electronic ballasts, you might find that the switch is not resetting at all and the ballast may need to be replaced. Any real danger wont be from the ballast failing, but more likely from what everyone else has already warned about.
Good luck
CD

 

[WBSurfer]

I've definitely considered the carbon monoxide issue for sure. If the garage door is partially opened about 12" or so then is it safe to assume that there is enough ventilation to eliminate the hazard for carbon monoxide poisoning? I'm a bit overly sensitive to this issue as one of my close friends growing up lost her daughter in a house that didn't have carbon monoxide detectors. She was 3 years old and died of carbon monoxide.

That aside, my use for the heater is typically short term. Turning it on to allow the garage to heat up enough so I can shut it off for the rest of the day to be able to work in there when it's too cold. I'm in the south part of NC on the coast so it's not brutal here but when it gets cold I just need to take the bite out of the garage and this heater does that.

In conclusion, with the door open slightly while the unit is on and my monitoring intermittently while its on for any fire concerns.......I could just move the heater away from the bulbs while it's on I suppose and that should handle the closeness to the fixture dilemma. I posted a thread some time ago about garage heaters and what was best for low budget and got so many mixed impressions and that's why I went this route. Simple, tons of BTU's for a two car garage, and inexpensive.

I'd be open to other options as I could easily just sell this heater and get something else but budget is the main issue.
I think at some point I will end up getting a split system so I can have heat and air along with safety but $2K isn't in the budget at the moment.

Thanks again for any continued feedback!

 

[kd3pc]

NOT for indoor use, my friend.

door open or closed matters not.

don't do it.

SOuthern NC - get a good flannel shirt or jacket. Live longer.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Using an unvented heaters is almost as bad as using a bar b cue or generator in a garage.... Lol_hitti

DONT USE IT IN THE GARAGE!

 

[Platonic Solid]

I use a 55,000 BTU bullet heater sitting on a shelf I made for it in front of a window. Rear of unit is at the open window. Does a great job.

 

[WBSurfer]

So why do they make so many damn "garage heaters" that are propane type heaters? If you google garage heater, get on Lowes, Home Depot, etc... websites and look for garage heaters the vast majority end up being propane use. Some kerosene but lots of propane heaters. I certainly understand the need for ventilation with a cracked door, window, or partially opened garage door while its on but not really sure how with those things opened there would be a carbon monoxide hazard potential. I'm not trying to argue the point of keeping it and continue using it but more trying to get to the gist of why they sell so many propane heaters that are for the garage if it's such a bad idea as everyone is saying here.

Supposing I ditch this damn heater, and yes I can layer clothes but that's not what I'm going to do so nix that idea, what heater will put out enough heat to make it toasty and not be such a hazard at a reasonable price? What are all you guys using....other than flannel shirts and hooded sweatshirts?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

So why do they make so many damn "garage heaters" that are propane type heaters?

begs the question dont it...My mom used to always yell "We arent heating the outdoors" when I left the door open to the house...theres seems to be a whole market niche for outdoor heaters not exactly sure why I would want to run my 60k Propane heater outdoors? Maybe thats the true cause of global warming...everyone is using their propane & kerosene heaters outdoors, warming up the outdoors, leaving us cold indoors

That being said, I run this 60K in my 30x50 all the time... http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/masterreg%3B-gas-forced-air-heater-60000-btu
Little common sense goes a long way here....

I actually clicked into this thead as the wording was exactly what I was wondering but in terms to a cieling mount Hot-Dawg heater I recently acquired...didnt know how far away any lighting or other such devices should be away from it.

 

[fteufert]

The only difference between that outdoor heater and an indoor heater is an oxygen depletion sensor.

XXXXX BTU's burning by an unvented propane heater is all the same except for that oxygen sensor.

Cooking all day in a small kitchen with a propane or NG stove can kill you too, in theory.

 

[WBSurfer]

begs the question dont it...My mom used to always yell "We arent heating the outdoors" when I left the door open to the house...theres seems to be a whole market niche for outdoor heaters not exactly sure why I would want to run my 60k Propane heater outdoors? Maybe thats the true cause of global warming...everyone is using their propane & kerosene heaters outdoors, warming up the outdoors, leaving us cold indoors

That being said, I run this 60K in my 30x50 all the time... http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/masterreg%3B-gas-forced-air-heater-60000-btu
Little common sense goes a long way here....

I actually clicked into this thead as the wording was exactly what I was wondering but in terms to a cieling mount Hot-Dawg heater I recently acquired...didnt know how far away any lighting or other such devices should be away from it.

Using something like what you are using, do you have any doors open, windows open, etc.... for ventilation? It's propane as well as mine and from what everyone here is saying I'm going to die if I use this inside my garage. (A little humor boys don't take it aggressively).... Bottom line of me is that I can relocate my heater to another area that isn't near a ceiling light fixture but now I'm more concerned about the carbon monoxide issues.

If you are using something like that putting gout 60K BTU's then you would be facing similar concerns as me but apparently you have been doing it for quite some time and still alive.

I'd like to hear some additional feedback on using one of these heaters in the garage with some ventilation such as cracked doors, windows, etc....

 

[WBSurfer]

The only difference between that outdoor heater and an indoor heater is an oxygen depletion sensor.

XXXXX BTU's burning by an unvented propane heater is all the same except for that oxygen sensor.

Cooking all day in a small kitchen with a propane or NG stove can kill you too, in theory.

That said, .......what are your thoughts on using this heater with a garage door cracked open 12" or so of ventilation? Enough ventilation for eliminating the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If you are using something like that putting gout 60K BTU's then you would be facing similar concerns as me but apparently you have been doing it for quite some time and still alive.

I dont open windows or doors...IMHO when its -14 outside like it was last week the little 60k couldnt keep up if that air was blowing in. May as well keep the doors closed and enjoy the natural heat...usually never goes below 34 in the shop without any heat at all. Yesterday for example I went out to change an idler pulley on the truck and when I got in the shop it was 38 (30 outside), fired up my heater...in no time at all it was 46 and climbing...at that point Its nice to work in just a sweater so I just shut it off.

As mentioned burning ANYTHING indoors which is not vented causes Carbon Monoxide and other nasty stuff...if you were really worried, get a carbon monoxide alarm and watch that. Nobody seems to panic about NG or LP Stoves or other devices?

 

[Jlbc212]

Having the garage door open 12" should supply plenty of oxygen for the heater. The reason why Hot Dawg and other brands of gas heaters are better is that they vent their products of combustion to the outside. However, even these heaters require a sufficient amount of oxygen to operate safely and efficiently. If the heater is sized properly for the size of the garage, there should be sufficient oxygen for the heater. Most enclosed garages have enough air infiltration.
Unvented heaters dump their products of combustion back into the enclosed space. If the oxygen level becomes insufficient, carbon monoxide will be produced. The amount produced will increase exponentially as the heater continues to run. The same thing can happen with running a vehicle or any other carbon fueled equipment in an enclosed space.

My bigger concerns with the heater the OP is using is toppling it over or using it too close that could ignite.

 

[fteufert]

I looked at the same type myself, and would use one too if I found one cheap. I currently use a 15,000 BTU sunflower type.

12" is more than enough air coming in, in my opinion.

That said, .......what are your thoughts on using this heater with a garage door cracked open 12" or so of ventilation? Enough ventilation for eliminating the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning?