Ventless wall mount natural gas heater

[lzicc]

I have fireplace in my basement family. The family room is about 15' x 24' and is pretty open in the one corner where the split entry steps are. I want to install a ventless wall mount natural gas heater in there for supplemental heat. We only use the fireplace on the weekends since after work it's too late in the day to build a fire. My question is, are ventless gas heaters safe as far as air quality? I've been doing a lot of reading on this and there are many people saying to not install one of these in a living space.

I looked at vented ones, but they are expensive and it would be difficult to run a flue to the outside where the heater would be getting installed.

 

[Jack Murdock]

I have fireplace in my basement family. The family room is about 15' x 24' and is pretty open in the one corner where the split entry steps are. I want to install a ventless wall mount natural gas heater in there for supplemental heat. We only use the fireplace on the weekends since after work it's too late in the day to build a fire. My question is, are ventless gas heaters safe as far as air quality? I've been doing a lot of reading on this and there are many people saying to not install one of these in a living space.

I looked at vented ones, but they are expensive and it would be difficult to run a flue to the outside where the heater would be getting installed.

I have sold serviced and installed vent free heaters and fireplaces for over 20 years hear in NY and New England . The downsides of VF heaters or fireplaces are : odors ( pets or contaminated air quality ) and moisture. For every 100,000 btu of energy ( 1 therm of natural gas ) you put 1 gallon of water vapor into the atmosphere. So if you do not install a huge fireplace or use it as a sole source of heat you should be happy. Now no implied disrespect but a dirty house= dirty air. Lots of pet hair = dirty air. Dirty air = smelly heat. I have heated my basement with a VF heater for years with no issues. Make sure that the fireplace you choose is equipped with an ODS ( oxygen depletion system ). I would stick with brands you can get parts for as well Empire Comfort Systems ( made in Illinois ) being my favorite.

 

[Jack Murdock]

I have fireplace in my basement family. The family room is about 15' x 24' and is pretty open in the one corner where the split entry steps are. I want to install a ventless wall mount natural gas heater in there for supplemental heat. We only use the fireplace on the weekends since after work it's too late in the day to build a fire. My question is, are ventless gas heaters safe as far as air quality? I've been doing a lot of reading on this and there are many people saying to not install one of these in a living space.

I looked at vented ones, but they are expensive and it would be difficult to run a flue to the outside where the heater would be getting installed.

Empire Heating Systems

 

[BRMyers]

We have one in our basement. It is our emergency backup if the power goes out. We have it set where it kicks on a come times a day, but the house is primarily heated by the furnace, but if the power ever goes out, the heater will keep everything from freezing. It has the oxygen sensor and all our detectors are both smoke and CO detectors.

 

[lzicc]

Well, we do have pets. Cat's actually and they do shed. My house is pretty dry during the winter. I added a furnace humidifier to raise the humidity in the house. I would only use the VF wall heater maybe 3 or 4 hours an evening depending how cold it is. Once it would warm up the room, I would shut it off, so it may only run for an hour.

We have a forced air furnace for our primary heat, but the family room stays pretty cool compared to the rest of the house.

 

[lzicc]

Which is a better solution, the blue or the orange flame? I've been reading a lot on the difference but am not sure which one would be more efficient for what I am using it for.

Empire Heating Systems

 

[Jack Murdock]

Well, we do have pets. Cat's actually and they do shed. My house is pretty dry during the winter. I added a furnace humidifier to raise the humidity in the house. I would only use the VF wall heater maybe 3 or 4 hours an evening depending how cold it is. Once it would warm up the room, I would shut it off, so it may only run for an hour.

We have a forced air furnace for our primary heat, but the family room stays pretty cool compared to the rest of the house.

I would get one. We have two cats but they have not been an issue. I assume you have CO detectors etc. ? It will definitely help with the lack of humidity. I would stay clear of the hardware store dual fuel models and get something with parts available. Both Empire and Monesson are made in the USA.

 

[lzicc]

I do have CO detectors built into my smoke alarms, but I would probably get a stand alone one also. I don't want to take any chances. The unit I am looking at, Dyna Glo, has an oxygen depletion sensor which immediately shuts down the heater if carbon monoxide or lack of oxygen is detected. What are your thoughts on that brand?

I would get one. We have two cats but they have not been an issue. I assume you have CO detectors etc. ? It will definitely help with the lack of humidity. I would stay clear of the hardware store dual fuel models and get something with parts available. Both Empire and Monesson are made in the USA.

 

[Jack Murdock]

Which is a better solution, the blue or the orange flame? I've been reading a lot on the difference but am not sure which one would be more efficient for what I am using it for.

They are both 99% efficient. The orange / yellow flame is trying to mimic a fire. I have the blue. I also heat my 2 car garage with a VF infrared heater when I need to bring the tractor in or work on something out there

 

[lzicc]

I'm still reading up on these and was reading some comments and someone mentioned that gas cooking ranges and stove are ventless and don't seem to cause an issue. I don't know if that is a good comparison though. I'm trying to talk myself into buying one as you can see. I see a lot of negatives thoughts on ventless, but then again, I'm using it for supplemental heat, so I don't see it being an issue.