A propane heater is a great way of providing a little extra warmth to drive away the winters chill. These heaters come in a variety of shapes and sizes that can be used as a portable or permanent heat source for a wide range of needs. They offer a safe, economical and environmentally friendly alternative to other heating options and are very easy to use. Modern versions of these heaters allow you to safely provide all the heat you’ll need to be comfortable at home, work or camping with the family.
Propane heaters generate heat by burning propane, a by-product of petrol refineries and gas processing. It can be bought in either a gas or liquid form. Propane, like propylene and butane, is used in everything from gas torches to engines and barbecues, but in most countries like the US it’s most well known for its use in central heating.
It’s generally seen as a more affordable, efficient and reliable way of generating heat, as you are not dependent on an outside energy provider like your local electricity company.
Below we’ve listed the top three best propane heaters within their respective categories. There will be overlapping.
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Portable Propane Heaters (View The Top Five List)
Indoor Propane Heaters (View The Top Five List)
Outdoor Propane Heaters (View The Top Five List)
Propane Wall Heaters (View The Top Five List)
The Three Best Portable Propane Heaters
Unlike industrial propane heaters a normal indoor and outdoor household propane heater is meant to heat only a relatively small area like a living room or small patio. That’s why the majority of propane heater buyers prefer to buy a portable propane heater. Portable propane heaters are characterized by it’s size (normally small-ish), weight (normally under 10 lbs) and mobility (it has wheels if it’s large and/or heavy).
Bestseller No.1
Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Radiant Heater
4,000- to 9,000-BTU radiant heater for spaces up to 200 square feet
$81.26
Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.2
Mr. Heater MH18B, Portable Propane Heater
Swivel regulators and single control,Length 19.00,Width 12.00
$130.47 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.3
Dyna-Glo RMC-FA60DGD 30,000 - 60,000 BTU Liquid Propane Forced Air Heater
Tip-over shutoff and back pressure switch for safety
SaleSaved: $62.45
$86.55 Buy on Amazon
The Three Best Indoor Propane Heaters
There’s nothing better in the cold winter than relaxing in-front of a warm open fire. It not only keeps the cold away but provides a certain type of ambiance only a fire can. Unfortunately having a open log burning fire isn’t always possible due to the cost of logs, safety concerns and health concerns. Indoor propane heaters give you the benefit of an open fire without the concerns that come along with it.
Indoor propane heaters are characterized by it’s size (small-ish like the portable ones), weight (they’re also normally under 10 lbs), mobility (yeap you can also move them around) and build (you can normally set them up, down and sideways to point to someone or something, as well as see the flames or heat source).
Bestseller No.1
Dyna Glo, RA18LPDG, 18,000 BTU Propane Cabinet Heater
Built-in oxygen depletion shutoff (ODS) for safety
SaleSaved: $38.23
$101.76 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.2
Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Radiant Heater
4,000- to 9,000-BTU radiant heater for spaces up to 200 square feet
$81.26 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.3
Mr. Heater 30,000 BTU Propane Blue Flame Vent-Free Heater, VF30KBLUELP
weighs 31 lbs.; Fight the freeze! Pick yours and order today! Mr. Heater Vent-Free Heater
$209.99 Buy on Amazon
The Three Best Outdoor Propane Heaters
Outdoor propane heaters are most commonly used to heat outdoor patio areas, but can of course be used to heat any small outdoor area when it’s cold outside and you need to spend some time there. They tend to be larger than indoor propane heaters and most frequently generate heat at the top which is then forced downwards. The upright heaters can way up to 40 lbs and put out 46,000 BTUs.
Bestseller No.1
AmazonBasics Havana Bronze Commercial Patio Heater
Durable, powder-coated bronze finish
SaleSaved: $2.00
$132.99 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.2
Fire Sense Hammer Tone Bronze Commercial Patio Heater
46,000 btu's
$132.99 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.3
Thermo Tiki Premium Floor-Standing Propane Outdoor Patio Heater w/ Cover - Stainless Steel
Our patio heaters are expertly crafted from premium materials.
SaleSaved: $431.97
$575.96 Buy on Amazon
The Three Best Propane Wall Heaters
Propane wall heaters have become more popular with homeowners searching for a less expensive way of heating their homes. These heaters are very efficient and use a less expensive propane fuel than more conventional furnaces that burn oil. By locating these heaters closer to the living area in the home they also help to eliminate the heat loss involved with pushing warm air through extensive ductwork from the basement or attic. When considering a propane wall heater, there are a few basic decisions you’ll have to make to find the right model for your home.
Bestseller No.1
Dyna-Glo IR30PMDG-1 30,000 BTU Liquid Propane Infrared Vent Free Wall Heater
Infrared Technology
SaleSaved: $83.73
$165.27 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.2
Dyna-Glo BF30PMDG 30,000 BTU Liquid Propane Blue Flame Vent Free Wall Heater
Blue flame Technology
$159.92 Buy on Amazon
Bestseller No.3
Dyna-Glo IR12PMDG-1 12,000 BTU Liquid Propane Infrared Vent Free Wall Heater
Infrared Technology
SaleSaved: $30.00
$119.00 Buy on Amazon
Three Different Heat Producing Technologies
These propane heaters are available in three basic styles that each convert their propane fuel into heat in different ways. Understanding how these heaters work is the first step in finding the perfect model for your needs.
Forced Air Heater
The most common type of propane heater is called a forced air heater that quickly distributes the heat it creates by blowing air past the heating element. This type of heater is perfect for heating large spaces quickly, but typically requires a power source to operate the fan.
Convection Heater
Another common design uses convection to heat an area. This type of heater requires no external power and simply warms the air in the immediate area around the heater. While this type of heating isn’t a good choice for bigger spaces, it does provide a large amount of heat quickly for smaller areas and is very efficient.
Radiant Heater
The third type of heater is based on a radiant technology that is a little more unique in its approach. Instead of heating the air in a room, it instead heats nearby objects. Much like the suns ability to still heat the ground during cold days, a radiant propane heater can actually warm objects at a distance without transferring this heat through the air between. It does this by directly heating a specialized element inside the heater to a very high temperature. This element can then emit infrared energy that is absorbed by any solid object near the unit. This infrared heat warms the object, which in turn emits this heat to warm the room.
Portable or Permanent?
You have to decide if you want to use a portable heater or one that is permanently mounted in a fixed position. Most portable heaters are not vented and are recommended to be used in well-ventilated areas. These are great for outdoor use or in a very large space with plenty of fresh air. Permanent propane heaters normally include vents that carry any gasses produced during operation out of the room. There are a wide variety of heaters available in both categories to make it easy to find one to fit your needs.
Heating Area
Choosing the right heater is also a matter of matching the unit you are considering to the location you are hoping to heat. Each heating solution is rated for the number of BTU’s (British Thermal Units) it can produce. This is a good way to gauge how much heat you can expect from the product. Many of the heaters also provide a guide as to how large a space they can comfortably heat. If you choose a heater that is too small for a location, you might end up needing to add another one later. It’s always better to have a slightly larger heater than you’ll need to warm the area without worrying about overworking the unit.
Indoor or Outdoor Use
The last consideration is one of the easiest and concerns where you’ll want to use the heater. Indoor and outdoor models of propane heaters are built differently and won’t work properly in the wrong type of location. Indoor heaters are designed to more completely burn the propane and produce less harmful byproducts. These heaters also include other safety features like an oxygen sensor that shuts off the heater when the air in the room drops below a safe level. These indoor heaters also provide better protection from the flame to avoid accidental contact with flammable objects.
Outdoor heaters eliminate many of these features since they are always used in a well-ventilated area. If you plan to use a propane heater indoors, be sure to either vent it to the outdoors or purchase one that is rated as “indoor safe”. Either way it’s always a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector near the heater for protection in case of failure. When used properly, these propane heaters provide a near-perfect way of heating any location efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions About Propane Heaters:
Are propane heaters safe to use indoor?
As long as you use a propane heater which is properly installed, certified for indoor use and inside a room which is well ventilated it is safe to use. The general requirement is 1 square inch of ventilation for every 1000 btu’s (BTU Calculator).
What can happen if I don’t follow proper safety precautions?
The biggest risk of not following safety precautions with a propane heater is carbon monoxide poisoning. When a room is not well ventilated and carbon monoxide, generated from the burning of propane, reaches a too high level compared to available oxygen you will start to experience a headache and/or vertigo. Prolonged exposure can result in:
Cardiovascular collapse
Coma
Death
How do I pick the right propane tank size?
Take a look at our full propane tank size guide.
More details about proper propane heater safety is available here – http://www.air-n-water.com/propane-heater-safety.html
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