The National Building Code of Canada, specifically Section 9.36.3.10, makes ventless gas fireplaces illegal (2). Many jurisdictions have adopted this code, making its provisions legal. Hazardous chemicals are released straight into the home by these fireplaces. Installing one is likely to result in fines rather than imprisonment.
Is it legal to use ventless gas heaters in Canada?
The first is that, in addition to water vapor and carbon dioxide, some combustion by-products are harmful to our health. The combustion process of an unvented gas space heater is fairly complete manufacturers claim 99.9% efficiency or greater but that tenth or hundredth of a percent can be quite nasty, containing carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, soot, and unburned hydrocarbons.
Carbon monoxide is harmful (even fatal) at high concentrations and causes long-term health issues at low concentrations. Even minute amounts of nitrogen dioxide can influence our immune systems and make us more susceptible to respiratory diseases. On unvented gas heaters and fireplaces, an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) cuts off the gas flow if the oxygen level falls below 18 percent (a sign that not enough fresh air is getting into the house), but the ODS does not detect carbon monoxide or other harmful pollutants.
The second issue with venting combustion products indoors is that even the best ventilation systems aren’t perfect “Clean” combustion products aren’t ideal for introducing in significant amounts into our homes. High quantities of carbon dioxide make us tired and can irritate our eyes. Large amounts of water vapor emitted into our homes enhance humidity levels, which can lead to condensation on windows, concrete slabs, or parts of wall with a high humidity level “thermal bridges” are formed between them. This dampness can cause mold to grow, as well as allergies and asthma in homeowners, as well as rot. The higher the risk, the tighter the home. If a 30,000 Btu/hour unvented gas heater is run continuously, it will create roughly a third of a gallon of water every hour, or about seven gallons per day.
Reading the warning labels that come with unvented gas heaters and fireplaces should give you a hint that they’re not so great: they recommend opening a window during operation, not using them for more than four hours at a time, and not using them as a primary heating source. Are those suggestions truly going to be implemented?
It’s no secret that unvented gas and kerosene appliances are a bad idea. Many scientists and health professionals have long claimed that they are illogical. For years, our newspaper, Environmental Building News, as well as others like Energy Design Update and Home Energy, have urged that such appliances should be prohibited by building codes.
Surprisingly, though, the restrictions have shifted in the opposite direction. States and provinces are finding it increasingly difficult to prohibit these items due to strong industry influence in the code-setting process and the adoption of increasingly universal building rules. Unvented heating products are accepted under the International Mechanical Code, which has nearly generally been implemented throughout North America. California, Alaska, Montana, Minnesota, New York, and Massachusetts, as well as all Canadian provinces except Manitoba and British Columbia, outlawed these unvented heaters in 1996. They are now illegal in only one state: California.
Even while our regulations prevent us from outright prohibiting unvented heating units, we can at least use common sense by refusing to acquire them. We should only install combustion heating equipment that vents to the outside because it is more expensive. Period. The story comes to a close.
Is it possible to vent a ventless propane heater?
Vent-free propane space heaters offer heat without the use of vents or ductwork, and they come in a variety of sizes to fit most situations.
Because they don’t require access to an exterior wall for venting, vent-free propane heaters are less expensive to install than direct vent heaters and provide more installation options. Unlike direct vent solutions, however, exhaust is emitted within the house. As a result, installing vent-free heaters in sleeping rooms is illegal, and some local building standards prohibit them from being installed at all. If you’re thinking about getting one, do your homework!
There are two fundamental types of vent-free propane gas heaters: blue flame and infrared; both are incredibly efficient (typically more than 99 percent).
- Rather than heating the air, infrared vent free heaters use gas to heat ceramic panels that radiate heat onto things (or people) in the room. As a result, an infrared heater is a highly targeted heat source: standing right in front of one will immediately feel the heat, making it a perfect heater to stand in front of if you’ve just walked in from the cold.
- Blue flame ventless heaters work by warming the air in the room through convection. Because it must heat the air rather than a specific object, a blue flame heater will take longer to heat a space, but it will provide more constant temperature control than an infrared heater. A blue flame heater is usually the better choice if your space is insulated.
Can a ventless propane heater cause carbon monoxide poisoning?
What about the dangers of carbon monoxide? CO is an extremely poisonous poison that is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating. It can cause death or lasting brain and organ damage. More individuals are poisoned by CO than by all other poisons combined. Gas heaters emit very little carbon monoxide when they are properly maintained and adjusted. The introduction of Oxygen Depletion Sensors in contemporary heaters has almost eliminated one source of carbon monoxide poisoning from unvented heaters: incomplete combustion caused by a lack of air (ODS). Unfortunately, the ODS is unresponsive to incomplete combustion caused by low gas pressure, dust, filth, or rust on the burner, poor placement of artificial logs in a gas fireplace, or air current interruption. Unvented heaters continue to be a source of CO poisoning.
What exactly is a ventless fireplace?
Ventless fireplaces use interior air for burning, which includes anything in the air and on the burner, and then discharge all emissions into the space in which they operate, drastically lowering the air quality you breathe.
Is it possible to operate a ventless propane heater indoors?
Yes, propane heaters may be used indoors! Propane heaters come in two varieties: indoor and outdoor. Indoor variants are made to be safe to use inside. If you opt for an indoor model, you can expect a warm and secure environment. Otherwise, you’ll need to keep your gas heater outside or in a garage with plenty of air and a carbon monoxide detector.
There’s a compelling reason to double-check the propane heater you purchase. The smoke produced by indoor and outdoor propane heaters is handled quite differently.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be caused by using an outdoor-only gas heater without adequate ventilation.
Are propane heaters with blue flames safe?
While the winter in southern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania has been relatively mild, it can still get quite cold at night.
If the chill in your bedroom prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep, you might be tempted to use your gas space heater to warm it up while you sleep.
Sleeping with a propane space heater on is dangerous and potentially deadly for you and your family.
Space heaters are a primary cause of home fires related to heating, according to the National Fire Protection Safety Association. How significant is it? Space heaters are responsible for 43% of home heating fires in the United States. And space heater fires are responsible for 85 percent of the deaths related with home heating fires.
Space heaters are hazardous in a number of ways. The first is the context in which we employ them. Heaters can spark a fire if they are put too close to combustible materials such as furniture, mattresses, bedding, clothing, curtains, and area rugs, all of which can be found in bedrooms. In fact, more than half of all fires caused by space heaters begin this way.
When utilizing a vent-free gas space heater while sleeping, you run the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Because carbon monoxide has no odor, you can inhale a potentially fatal amount of it while sleeping before the CO monitor in your bedroom goes off. Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in your red blood cells when it builds up in your bloodstream. Organs including your heart, lungs, and brain are deprived of the oxygen they require to function. This can result in harm or even death.
As if the dangers of using space heaters while sleeping and not turning up the thermostat weren’t enough, there’s another reason: it’s inefficient and won’t save you money. If the temperature in your home drops too low without the use of space heaters, your pipes may freeze and explode.
SPACE HEATER SAFETY
While sleeping with a space heater on is not a good idea, today’s propane space heaters are still an excellent way to provide additional heating for unheated or inadequately heated areas of your house, such as garages, finished attics, and sunporches.
While safety features have substantially enhanced the safety of propane space heaters, they must still be used carefully. Here are a few pointers:
- Leave propane space heaters unattended at all times. Turn them off every time you leave the room, even if you believe you’ll only be gone for a minute.
- Read (and re-read) the owner’s instructions thoroughly to ensure that you understand how to securely operate your space heater.
- CO detectors should be installed on every floor of your home, outside all bedrooms, and in areas where space heaters are used.
- Keep a three-foot clearance around the space heater, and keep children and pets away of that area.
- A professional service expert should evaluate and service your propane space heater once a year.
STAY WARM IN BED WITH THE SPACE HEATER OFF
You may be concerned about your heating expenditures if you have to turn up the heat instead now that you know not to use a space heater while sleeping. There is, however, a technique to keep your bedroom warm without doing so.
- Flannel sheets, thick comforters, many blankets, electric blankets, and weighted comforters all aid in keeping your body heat near to you.
- When the sun sets, close the curtains or blinds in the bedroom to maintain midday heating.
- Use insulating drapes, weatherstripping, caulk, door sweeps, and expanding foam to eliminate drafts that chill the space.
- In the evening, use the space heater to warm the room before night. To preserve the heat in the bedroom, turn off the space heater and close the bedroom door when it’s time to go to bed.
Are propane forced-air heaters safe to use indoors?
Propane heaters for domestic use are completely safe when used appropriately. Here are a few pointers to help you use your gas indoor heater safely:
- Choose a propane heater with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) mark that is the proper size for your room or space.
- A low oxygen sensor, a high-temperature coated safety shield on the front, overheat protection, and automatic shutoff if it tips over should all be included in your indoor propane heater.
- Before using your propane indoor space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- Make sure your propane indoor space heater is situated safely away from flammable things such as furniture, curtains, doors, bedding, and towels, and that it is set on a non-combustible surface away from where people walk. Make sure your wall material is non-combustible if you use a wall-mounted room heater.
- Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in your home or in the area where you use your indoor propane space heater.
- Never leave a propane heater indoors unattended. When you leave the room, turn off the heater. Before you go to bed, check sure your gas indoor space heater is switched off.
- If your propane indoor heater’s flame is yellow or orange instead of blue, turn it off right away since it’s not burning properly. To resolve the issue, contact your New York propane service provider.
- Vacuum any dust from the outside of the propane indoor space heater and the grills with the hose attachment of your vacuum cleaner.
- Air fresheners, deodorants, aerosol spray cleansers, and hair spray should never be used near a gas space heater.
- When using an indoor propane space heater, make sure the pathways to all of the space’s exits are clear.
If you need help choosing and installing a propane space heater, contact your propane company. More propane safety advice can be found here.
Is condensation a problem with ventless propane heaters?
You might not realize it, but using the heaters in colder weather is more likely to cause moisture condensation on the walls and ceilings, particularly in locations furthest from the heat.
Are there any propane heaters that can be vented?
If you’re looking for the greatest vented propane heater, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got your back. Information, reviews, and troubleshooting suggestions are all included in this handy book.
In comparison to other heating items, vented propane heaters are a cost-effective solution. They’re reasonably easy to install by a professional and can successfully heat small spaces, compact dwellings, or cottages.
Many vented propane heaters function without the use of electricity, making them excellent for structures in isolated places, workshops, and areas prone to winter power outages. They can also help with heating concerns in traditional homes, such as cold spots.
Choose the vented propane heater that best matches your demands from the list below if you’re looking for one for your space.