Are Vent Free Heaters Bad News?[MY EXPERIENCE USING A VENT FREE HEATER]
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- čas přidán 27. 11. 2021
- In this video, Are Vent Free Heaters Bad News [MY EXPERIENCE USING A VENT FREE HEATER] I am going to share with you what I have encountered using a vent free heater.
I installed my vent free heater about 6 years ago and pretty much knew right away I had made a bad choice. The first winter wasn't to bad in fact it was tolerable. The second year things changed for the worse.
The odor was so bad you couldn't stand to be in the shop, on top of that my eyes would start burning within a few minutes. I would walk out carrying the odor with me, my clothes would smell of it for hours.
These heaters are supposed to be 99.9 percent efficient and unburnt hydrocarbons should not be and issue however they are. The carbon dioxide being released into the space or building up in the space was more than I could stand and I am sure it could not have been healthy levels.
There is a shut off switch in these heaters to turn them off if the oxygen levels go below 18 percent, however they are no sensors for combustion products such as, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
In my opinion these vent free heaters are bad news. the soot it created on my walls and ceiling over the six winters is overwhelming. Let the clean up begin.
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Grew up, along with many other family members, using vent less gas heaters. Back in the day, there weren't any type of sensors, thermostats, or pilot lights, you lit them with a match and regulated the flame with a valve. Fast forward to 1973 when my wife and I moved onto out farm, we continued using both old style and new style vent less heaters with out any issues. As far as safety, our main regulator has a safety feature that shuts off the gas flow in case the gas supply is interrupted. Have not experienced any of the issues experienced in this video.
You cannot smell CO2.
Correct but you can smell the burned odor added and the dust that combines within the process
Bs, try sniffing a freshly opened coke. Get back to me....
The oder is from the gas mixture from the gas manufacturer. Especially propane. These are supplemental heaters not main source.
There is something off. I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with your ventless heater. I’ve had one in my home for over 20 years never had any issues. The only thing is it needs to be cleaned out once a year to keep the pilot and the air holes clear but it works great and the heater is older than 20 years it came with my house.
What brand do you have?
I’ve had a vent free in my home for over 40 years and no issues. Yes it does have some minor moisture.
As with any appliances you should have a separate device detecting fuel leakage and carbon monoxide that’s odorless.
You’re using it in a work environment and probably using solvents or other airborne agents that will cause your heater to burn those agents and cause a toxic environment, that’s the odor you are experiencing.
We all grew up with open propane stoves
Have had a natural gas vent free heater in basement for 20 years with no problems whatsoever. No increase in CO or reduction in O2. Only way to go for me, but if you're not comfortable with it don't install one.
Amazing review. Thanks.
Thank you for the video.
Thanks. I've noticed my brother's living room always triggers my asthma, and he has a ventless propane heater he runs all winter long. He also has that soot all over the wall. I guess I'm going to look into vented propane stoves instead.
Thanks for your experience. You just put the kibosh on that idea for me. I do have a big buddy heater but its only for emergency backup during blackouts.
Hot air rises, cold air drops not rocket science , I have mine in the garage at floor level and a fireplace in the great room , I don't have what you have , My units are 15 years old and not one problem , I am sure that the placement of your fixture is wrong,
Two Questions. (1) Do You Have Gas Regulators To Help Filter The Gas.. And (2) Why Is The Heater So High On The Wall.. Heat Rises, So What It Seems To Be Doing Is Recirculating The Heat That Has Already Been Put Out.. Also.. You Should ALWAYS Keep A Window Slighty Open, So That Fresh Air Molocules Can Come Back Into The Space.. Otherwise? A Ventless Heater, Will Do Just What You Showed In Your Video.. I Have No Problem With My Propane Heater.. I Just Follow Basic Simple Rules Of Physics.. Jus Sayin.. Yep...
I used one this past winter, and now have some serious upper respiratory inflammation, coughing. I am not sure if I was more susceptible with my allergies, but I have never had upper respiratory irritation issues before, only in my sinus issues with my allergies. I am curious if the Nitrogen Dioxide is the cause of my issues. This is from the EPA and is exactly the symptoms I am having.
Health effects
Breathing air with a high concentration of NO2 can irritate airways in the human respiratory system. Such exposures over short periods can aggravate respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, leading to respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing)
Wow, I have one in a space of 120 square feet and never had a problem
Sounds like something is wrong with your setup.
I love my wave 3 catalytic heater. Its very clean and efficient.
Are you sure you installed a propane heater instead of a natural gas or vice versa? And did you have a propane /natural gas, service technician monometer your heater to make sure the propane to air ratios are correct? And you can’t smell carbon monoxide.
Excellent video!
Sir, thanks for the video... But I think you may have it mounted, up to high on the wall...
We purchased ours, only to use in an emergency. We are in the process of testing it now...
We would not run it for hours either. Just enough to take the edge off...
When we started, our Mr buddy up, outside --- I could smell something... Hoping it will go away as it's brand new...
Did you used the yellow tape?
Well the only thing I can see is moisture in the winter, especially here in Michigan. Can be a good thing. It gets so dry but definitely crack a window. I'm looking to get a natural gas mr. Heater for my family room. I already have a gas fireplace back there that stopped working and rather than spending three grand to get a new one of those, I thought I'd utilize the gas line. I already have ran and just set the heater right on my hearth
Heat rises. With your attic door open and heater so far up the wall, how does the heat ever reach the floor? I wonder if it would run better on the floor? 🤠
I had the same experience with vent-free space heaters. They were all brand new, one in the basement and one in the garage. I used dehumidifiers. I thought that there was something wrong with the branded unit. I replaced them with a different brand and got the same result. My basement and garage are quite air-tight and I kept the rooms comfortably warm.
After searching the internet, I found the soot was caused by incomplete combustion. I recently installed a vented space heater (The brand is Ashley Hearth). It is too soon to see the results. However, the first thing I have noticed is the lack of high humidity and the flame burns blue. With the ventless units, the flame would burn blue with constant yellow-white flames.
It's good you posted this, It is also good for everyone to see other people have experienced the same thing. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I have not had problems yet with mine it is fairly new, and it sits on the floor. I live in an 100 year old house with air leaks everywhere, and it heats the basement. I also have a carbon monoxide, and natural gas detector, and dehumidifier.
The reason your gas wall heater had problems was because it was located in a garage. I grew up with a natural gas wall heater that was installed in a bathroom when the home was built in 1952. It still works today but isn't used much because a burner part is rusted, so it is kept off for safety reasons.
When a gas appliance is used in the presence of hydrocarbons (as in a garage), it creates some *extremely* smelly byproducts. This goes for gas stoves, too. The brown soot you're seeing is proof that the heater is drawing in these hydrocarbons, burning them incompletely, and depositing the soot on the surrounding surfaces.
Most gas wall heaters don't operate at high enough temperatures to produce many oxides of nitrogen which are detectable, except with specialized equipment.* Also, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are both completely odorless. The only significant byproducts of a *properly* operating and *well-located* natural gas wall heater, would be water vapor and carbon dioxide. The fact that the heater in this video is producing nasty odors and ugly soot is proof of unburnt hydrocarbons floating around in the air which are being drawn in and partially burned by the unit. Those hydrocarbons might not be in high enough concentrations to be detected by their odor before they are being drawn in to your gas wall heater.
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*As a side note, natural gas produces fewer than half the emissions of nitrogen oxides as does propane.
There are different grades of propane. Some propane burns cleaner. Also a little dawn dish detergent mixed with warm water will wash that grimy film from your walls and heater. Wipe down twice per heating season.
It was burning natural gas.
You should never see soot, the unit is shot, not sure that is even soot. That discoloration is most likely intense heat hitting that paint. Heat goes up, that heater is way to close to the ceiling.
One of the big questions I would ask him. Are you using a one stage regulator they usually make that kind of mess. Those heaters are really made for two stage regulators.
Sir thank you from the bottom of my heart. My furnace went out and at the moment I can't afford a new one. Yes to everything you said. These things do provide heat but you can't provide enough ventilation to keep the moisture and CO2 from coming. The smell is strong. I even bought an air purifier which helps with the smell. However, it dries my plants and ME out severely. My skin started to feel like sandpaper. It's scary. My throat gets sore too. So my plan is to run it but sparingly supplemented by electric space heater, close off the rooms that I can, open doors at least once a day for awhile to clear out fumes. The manual does say Do Not Use To Heat Home. Fortunately there's an internal cut off valve where it will cut off to pilot light. I'm pretty scared I have already some health problems. I'm thinking I might have to sell my car to get a vented furnace. But I'm trying to save $$ and am wondering if I could hold out 2 months I don't know. I live in Chicago so it gets pretty cold. Thanks for confirming what I've been thinking.
Thanks for taking the time to post this. So many people feel as though they are safe. Some companies offer financing on their systems. Maybe that could be an option for some clean air. Also a MR. Heat propane heater is way cleaner burning.
Not a solution, but might help you be comfortable at marginal temperatures. Have you considered a heated vest? If you were trying to stay warm inside a home that's chilly, you might still want to wear a jacket over it to contain the heat. Or maybe a heated mattress pad? Get a small one to use both on the bed and on a chair (don't fold it while it's on). Far better than an electric blanket because heat rises.
I'm not sure about yours, but that is way too high up on the wall to mount the one i own. I think the directions say 18" from the floor...
Never had any of the issues mentioned
I have had a rinnai propane heater in my home for 32 years never a problem!! Something is wrong with yours., In fact the humidity level in my home are lowered very much by running my heater!!!
I use a dynagli vent free propane heater in my house and it has never produces suit, maybe you should try ckeanung and properly adjusting your heater, oh and also, you can't smell co2, so your probally smelling hurt dust
My guess is that something is out of kilter with your ventless heater. As the efficiency of the burned gas gets lower then you will get the water, the carbon smell, and staining that you are seeing. Check to see if you are getting a full burn (near full). Blue flame is what you are looking for. If you have a lot of yellow flame you are not burning the gas any where close to completely.
The vent free is gone, I switched to electric. Super clean air now.
Have not had any of those problems, just the last one a noise that I will take up with the manufacture.
I had more moisture because the space is so well insulated. I would crack the attic door to help with that. Thanks for watching.
the heater should be at least 3ft away from the Ceiling and at least 8 inches away at the sides. but you did what you needed to do for you and thats more important. nice vid.. nine the less..
Looking at it, seems like it's never been cleaned 😏
Does an RV propane furnace put toxic fumes inside the RV?
No, they are vented outside the coach, just like the hot water heaters for RVs.
You have to clean them
Sounds like maybe this guy lives in a Midwest, in a very humid environment. His workspace is probably insulated very well, and doesn't have active ventilation. We use vent free heaters in the very southeast corner of Colorado all the time and don't have issues with the additional moisture that these heaters produce because our relative humidity is below 50.
Also, your heater is mounted too high and chances are you aren't maintaining that heater properly. Especially if you have it in a shop, you have to use an air compressor to blow out the orfice and space around it. Dust anywhere near the orfice will create an unclean burn. The dark around the heater is caused by carbon
The soot and any smell seems like the propane is running rich and needs to be adjusted. I've never met anyone with a vented propane heater that was happy with the heat being put out. So, if you switch, make another video. : )
czcams.com/video/wlckL5h9Wx4/video.htmlsi=yhBlqZcsIuLUx4lC
It was running on natural gas and I did switch to electric.
What alternatives do you recommend? What alternative did you switch to?
I went with an electric 5000 watt heater. It was a lot less cost up front. My electric bill is slightly higher.
@@detroitdiy Thank you! Did you need to run a new 220V circuit for that? Did you need to upgrade your electrical box?
Panel was fine, but yes I ran 220 to the unit.
czcams.com/video/wlckL5h9Wx4/video.htmlsi=B-xIhE20d2pkfxfL
Thank you so much!@@detroitdiy
We ordered one, UPS damaged it so it was returned. I’m going with vented.
Good idea.
I have one and even run a pot of water on top to add humidity because my fish tanks water evaporate too fast and I still have to add more water to them more than in the summer.
I haven't had any of these problems, there are entire countries using them as a main source of heat with no increased health problems. Japan is one of those countries.
There are tons of articles that state otherwise about health problems. In fact I tagged one and put a link to it in the description of that video.
@@detroitdiy Articles can be written by anyone.. They are meaningless, There are many industries writing false information about their competitors to scare people away from certain products and services that work well and are simply inexpensive.
First guess is that you are running this heater in NG mode or with a NG orifice, but running it with Propane. And that is causing it to run far too rich and is the source for all your issues.
Second. That soot is from it burning the dirty air in your garage!! Mine is 10 years old and runs for weeks on end, And it still looks new!. I'm willing to bet your seeing sawdust, paint fumes and other stuff being sucked into that heater and burned. That is why your eyes are burning and you have a smell. I also think you have it mounted way to close to the ceiling and your probably cooking that sheetrock, paint and light fixture!
What would you replace it with?
I replaced it with an electric heater. czcams.com/video/wlckL5h9Wx4/video.html
An electric heater? that's going to be expensive on the bill much more inefficient
The moisture in the Propane is what rusts out your grill.
The moisture was almost as bad as the odor.
Something is not right with that heater don’t use it anymore update to a newer one may be a clog
It is gone, was doing it from day one.
Sounds like your heater is faulty by design or configuration or something else.
I'm not a fan of vent free. Got a fire place 8 years ago and the apartment was so humid all winter and I was glad once it warmed up. The following winter I got a dehumidifier with a pump and ran tubing to the sink drain. It's been fine ever since but running a dehumidifier constantly really adds to the electric bill. That first season really rusted a bunch of screws on things
They also release benzene. There are no safe levels of benzene.
It sounds like you have a heater that is too big for the space.
Right size your heater. A 10,000 BTU heater is enough for an insulated 400 sq foot space. 20X20 room.
If you are running a 30,000 BTU heater in a small space, you will load up on water vapor.
Thanks for the information I was only a click away from purchasing one of those I’m glad I decided to check your input super detailed description
I decided on a 5000 watt electric to replace it, so far I am happy.
Co2 is heavier than air...so opening te attic wouldn't have let it out.
I put two of these in my house 2 years ago the cost of living went though the roof in our area I didn’t have 700 a month to pay for my electric bill these heaters our god sent they keep food on the table I think this guy has some problems with his heater the soot that’s on his must not be burning properly there is some people I work with went the way we did and there happy
Hard to find low cost direct vent heaters. Really does not make sense since vented units are simpler than non-vented units. The goofy thing is when you do a search for a vented units you get returns for non-vented units.
I know the Google search all to well, farm stores such as Tractor supply do carry a decent lineup of heaters.
@@detroitdiy I will check the Farm Supply for vented heaters. I bought a thermostat controlled non-vented heater for around $70 that's a lot like the Mr Heater and now sold as a Fire king brand. I think the Mr Heater is a better made heater but no thermostat or any inexpensive vented units. With all the people going into vans where I live I would think there would be some low cost vented units out there. Maybe at some point retro will became cool again these old stile units will come back into stile.
Perhaps your regular is bad and it’s not burning efficiently. I doubt you have a good blue flame
The fumes still go into the air space, these heaters are not meant to be run 24/7, if you can afford to run something like those things and keep buying propane every week than you can afford a forced hot air unit and your lungs will thank you unlike with one of those ventless ones. It is silly to think that the fumes are not entering your lungs, they are ventless, simply stated there is no ventilation🙄
You got something wrong I've had one in my shop for yrs. and never had a problem. mine don't even have that burnt look Around it that you have. I think your burning dirty gas. and defiantly have it hung to high. should have returned it pretty sure its defective.
Was running on natural gas, always had a nice blue flame. Throwing it in the trash was a good day for me. Thanks for your input.
Go with 240V electric. You won't regret
I did, thanks for watching!
You are smelling something other than co2. Seems like something is wrong with your heater. Mine still looks like new and I’ve had it for 3 years. Have it checked out by a professional.
Why did you keep it running for so long , like 6 years. Ridiculous I say.
I couldn't agree more, that is a great question. I would have to answer money. Since installing the electric heater, I love being in my shop again.
What did I just watch?
Propaganda perhaps?
Youve all but scared me off, from buying a ventless garage heater!
Looks like your unit needs to be cleaned
This is an
Issue and accumulative so you will not know it u till its too late.
What kind of crap are you burning in that heater . I have one in my house for 12 years now never seen anything like this 😂
Natural gas.
Rent house just moved my family into7 yo daughter with health issues and husband won't listen I smell gas and can't breath house is ancient and windows painted shut. Only heat sources are two gas vent less heaters one bigger n one cute old one on bathroom wall have no pilots I light manually gas was turned on outside but guy said he couldn't light them they already failed so man legally ok health in danger but Landlord or husband will help no smoke neither
Vent free heaters are not intended to be a primary heat source. Not sure what state you are in however this is not an ideal way to heat a home. The exhaust gases are in the home. If the thermocouple is bad the pilot will not stay lit.
I’m looking at renting a home with one of these as the primary heat source. I’m really apprehensive about it, it just doesn’t seem like the right way to do things. The heater is also in the living room.
It could be the heater itself and your giving a vent free a bad name