Vent free heater in garage?

[ukiltmybrutha]

Hi, I am moving into a home where the entire house is heated by propane and there is a smaller attached 3 car garage.

I have used this ventless heater as an auxilary heating source in my home for years along with a CO2 detector:

https://www.shopyourway.com/procom-30k-btu-dual-fuel-thermostat-blue-flame-wall-heater/323260133

I see that they now have this heater available that is specifically designed for garage use...

https://www.usaprocom.com/product/model-mnsd300tga/

I do plenty of mechanical work and was wondering if I can use the heater that I already have or if you see any reason why the new one is any better.

I know about the amount of moisture that these things can dump out but the RH in my area hovers at around 8% in my area all winter. I get all kinds of sinus issues due to that low RH anyways.

Any thoughts? Open flame anything gets me nervous but I wanted your thoughts first. I'd rather recycle what I have if possible.

Thanks.

 

[The Cobbler]

just to point out, You have a CO detector, not a CO2 .
but anyway I don't like the ventless, unless you have air infiltration, but even then, I' would be leary

 

[6768rogues]

If you are thinking about a ventless heater, look carefully at the specs. If you install it according to the directions, you will probably have a small heater in a large space with a window partially open.
I don't like unvented combustion. No matter how safe they are supposed to be, I still don't want to concentrate and breathe the products of combustion.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Thanks everyone...yes CO2.

I am more concerned with the open flame with issues like gas fumes etc.

Also, do you see why the black heater is a better design vis a vis the white one I already own?

I reached out to their tech support to ask, but I am still curious.

Thanks.

 

[Adk Mike]

I thing they’re fine for a little heat when your out in the garage for a short time . Long term and when they are on all the time you can get moisture on the walls and stuff can get dusty .they are best when used along with another heat source like a furnace for space heat in a cold area.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Also, do you see why the black heater is a better design vis a vis the white one I already own?

Marketing gimmick?

 

[Skiff Builder]

Looking at the instructions on the newer black model I see nothing different from the older white one. Just a new casing???
I have the white Procom30K, installed 2 years ago in the boatshop for temp day use. Works well. Heats the 32x34x9.5 insul space to t shirt temps dead of NJ winter. It does'nt get run when solvents etc are in use. Have flood vents down low and can vent up high on wall if needed. I watch my windows for moisture- only saw tiny bit once on a long 16 hr workday with everything closed tight and temp up to 78 deg.
Think we run 100K+ on the gas range in kitchen!

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Keep in mind that any ignition source is required to be a minimum of 18" above the floor in a garage.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Thanks everyone. I contacted Procom and like you guys thought it is the same heater. I will keep it 18 inches above the ground.

So instead of getting 100 lb cylinders filled for this thing, can I tap into my houses propane system? It is exclusively heated by Propane as far as I know.

Just wondering if that is a DIY job.

Thanks.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

The fume issue you discuss is real.

If you are working with or storing solvents, paints, thinners, etc. around a vent free heater, that air gets sucked into the burner and blown back at you with the heat. I found it would give me a headache after a couple of hours. This isn't from carbon monoxide (CO), this is from "God knows what" as who even knows what the byproduct of spray paints, varnishes, thinners, etc is when burned? Not me...I just know it will give you a headache.

Point being - if you are going to all the time/trouble to run a gas line for this heater...why not just get a vented heater and do it right. Yeah, I know they sell vent free units as "garage heaters"...and they are better than hypothermia...but not a lot better.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Phil

 

[Jazz1]

If ventless LPG heating were without risk we would all be doing it

 

[Angelfire]

The fume issue you discuss is real.

If you are working with or storing solvents, paints, thinners, etc. around a vent free heater, that air gets sucked into the burner and blown back at you with the heat. I found it would give me a headache after a couple of hours. This isn't from carbon monoxide (CO), this is from "God knows what" as who even knows what the byproduct of spray paints, varnishes, thinners, etc is when burned? Not me...I just know it will give you a headache.

Point being - if you are going to all the time/trouble to run a gas line for this heater...why not just get a vented heater and do it right. Yeah, I know they sell vent free units as "garage heaters"...and they are better than hypothermia...but not a lot better.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Phil

I purchased a small cabin years ago that had electric baseboard heating (very expensive to run) and a wall hung ventless. Even without the paints, thinners, etc.....I would get headaches from it. Never did try to measure CO coming off of it but instead installed a forced air unit. The ventless is still on the wall "just in case" but I haven't run it in several years and very glad I replaced it. When it did run, it took forever to heat the place up.

I agree with the others that if you're going to the trouble of running gas lines etc, look for an alternative heat source. I realize the lure of re-using is great, but for me, I'd be looking for something else.
Cheers.

 

[Bruce Amacker]

Keep in mind that any ignition source is required to be a minimum of 18" above the floor in a garage.

I think code is 8' up around here. I've never heard of it that low.

PS Ventless is a bad choice. Burning HC (natural gas/propane/gasoline/kero) creates H20 (water) that makes for a very damp/wet environment. When I had one the engine block in my car sweated so bad it dripped on the ground when I ran the heat. You want to rust parts? Buy a ventless heater.

 

[Mr onetwo]

NFPA 54 venting requirements. The 18" requirement is a national code and note that vents for air must be above the heater per the screen grab I attached. Unvented heater are fine as long as you provide combustion and ventilation air. I would consider a high intensity grid heater myself.