The Truth About "Vent-Free" Heaters

When it comes to staying warm in the fall and winter, many outdoorsmen and women turn to vent-free gas heaters. Yet, it's best to take care when using these heaters, as sometimes they don't always live up to their name.

For safe operation, many gas heaters require exhaust vents. They help to exhaust potentially noxious gases away from the living area, either outside the building or up into the attic. Sure, these vents are vital for safe operation of the heater, but this can lead to energy inefficiencies. Exhaust vents also allow heated air to escape into the atmosphere along with exhaust gases.

Due to a special design, the newer vent-free heaters do not need exhaust vents or separate venting systems. There are a number of definitive benefits to this style of heater. The general energy efficiency is significantly better, as you won't be exhausting warmed air into the atmosphere. They can also be much easier to install and maintain because you won't need to worry about venting the units and installing duct work.

Typically, gas and propane space heaters need an electrical supply to ignite. However, some gas heaters (such as the Mr. Heater Buddy Gas Heater) feature a no-electricity-required ignition system. In spots where a wall outlet isn't handy, this can be life-saver.

Vent-free gas heaters sound like a fantastic option for some of us, but unfortunately there are a handful of safety concerns that you should be made aware of. To ensure proper ventilation, most vent-free gas heaters recommend leaving a window opened for air flow in the room. This obviously kills any heating efficiency vent-free heaters claim to have, especially in the middle of winter!

The sobering truth is that dangerous gases are still produced with vent-free heaters. Research has shown that even small amounts of carbon monoxide can be dangerous, regardless of the claims made by some vent-free manufacturers. Proper operation still requires venting to some degree, which seems to contradict the term "vent-free" quite a bit!

The typical modern gas heater features a low-oxygen sensor that will shut off the unit if dangerous conditions are detected. This eases my safety concerns to a degree, but I'd recommend taking it even further. Installing a carbon monoxide detector in any room where you frequently operate a gas or propane heater, vent-free or not, is a great idea.

Drafty cabins, decks, and tree stands could certainly benefit from the convenience and portability of a vent-free gas heater. Yet, completely vent-free fuel-based heating is a bit misleading. Before buying any heater, there are safety concerns to be aware of.