Liquid Propane Vent-Free Radiant Heater

[ArkRescue (Premo)]

So I get email from Tractor Supply and they have this item listed:

ProCom® Liquid Propane Vent-Free Radiant Heater, 15,000 BTU - 1099858 | Tractor Supply Company

I'm wondering if the cost of the liquid propane would result in savings compared to the electricity the heat pump uses running over-time when it drops below freezing?

[GWguy]

Short answer: yes, but limited use because of the small area covered, 600 sq ft.

Long answer: un-vented heaters remove oxygen from your living space (that's why it has a sensor). It also introduces CO and CO2 which can give you headaches. It uses propane, but doesn't say if it's a little camp-style bottle or a 20 pounder. If it's the later, it's sitting in the same room. If you have a slight leak, could be a real problem. The heater uses an open flame, again, could be a problem. All compounded by the small area coverage which means you'd probably wind up closing doors to get maximum heat benefit. It has to be mounted, so you are now drilling holes in the floor.

[ArkRescue (Premo)]

hmm sounding like I'm better off to use the current space heaters I use when I'm at home to supervise the use of supplemental heat.

I hate to even think about another Winter with high electric bills, but it appears I have no choice if I want the temperature above 50 degrees inside. I did what I could as far as that foam insulation in different areas, and I added extra area rugs to insulate the floor (has crawlspace and no insulation under house).

I considered using plastic to seal off all windows, but then I'd lose the ability to open/close the blinds to make use of the sun as additional light/heat. Short of draping heavy quilts over the walls, I think I've done all I can for now to insulate this place since it's a rental. My former home (sold it) was 3 times the space I have now, and the bills of both homes are about the same - crazy huh? Shows how this current place lacks insulation.

When I'm not home I drop the temperature by 8 degrees (to about 60), and I never set the heat above 70 (usually at 68 when I'm at home), so it's not like I'm emulating the Bahamas in here as some people do LOL.

I'm using the ceiling fans on low to help circulate the air (vents in ceiling). Can't think of anything else I can do.

Originally Posted by GWguy

Short answer: yes, but limited use because of the small area covered, 600 sq ft.

Long answer: un-vented heaters remove oxygen from your living space (that's why it has a sensor). It also introduces CO and CO2 which can give you headaches. It uses propane, but doesn't say if it's a little camp-style bottle or a 20 pounder. If it's the later, it's sitting in the same room. If you have a slight leak, could be a real problem. The heater uses an open flame, again, could be a problem. All compounded by the small area coverage which means you'd probably wind up closing doors to get maximum heat benefit. It has to be mounted, so you are now drilling holes in the floor.

[limblips (Premo)]

Originally Posted by ArkRescue

.

When I'm not home home I drop the temperature by 8 degrees (to about 60), and I never set the heat above 70 (usually at 68 when I'm at home), so it's not like I'm emulating the Bahamas in here as some people do LOL.

I'm using the ceiling fans on low to help circulate the air (vents in ceiling). Can't think of anything else I can do.

I have one that I use daily to heat the garage/smoking lounge. They are fine for supervised use in a smaller space. In addition to the CO and CO2, moisture is a by product of combustion. I doubt you would have much of a problem with any by product since it sounds like your house is not tightly sealed! I know it seems right to turn down the heat while you aren't there but sometimes it is cheaper to get a place warm (or cool in the summer) and keep that way then it is to have the ups and downs. You will have to experiment. You should try to get a thermal survey (not too expensive, I think the Elec Co will do it for free).

[ArkRescue (Premo)]

I want my wood burning stove I had in the last house !!!!!! Yes it was WORK to keep it going but it sure did help heat the house !

Originally Posted by limblips

I have one that I use daily to heat the garage/smoking lounge. They are fine for supervised use in a smaller space. In addition to the CO and CO2, moisture is a by product of combustion. I doubt you would have much of a problem with any by product since it sounds like your house is not tightly sealed! I know it seems right to turn down the heat while you aren't there but sometimes it is cheaper to get a place warm (or cool in the summer) and keep that way then it is to have the ups and downs. You will have to experiment. You should try to get a thermal survey (not too expensive, I think the Elec Co will do it for free).

[aps45819]

Originally Posted by ArkRescue

I want my wood burning stove I had in the last house !!!!!! Yes it was WORK to keep it going but it sure did help heat the house !

United States Stove Co. 2421 Large Logwood Wood Stove - 3192571 | Tractor Supply Company

[ArkRescue (Premo)]

Nice - now if I only had a way to exhaust the smoke .....

Originally Posted by aps45819

United States Stove Co. 2421 Large Logwood Wood Stove - 3192571 | Tractor Supply Company

[ginwoman]

Ark-can you ask your landlord to insulate the crawl space? If they won't would it be worth your while to have it insulated yourself?

[aps45819]

Originally Posted by ArkRescue

Nice - now if I only had a way to exhaust the smoke .....

Mibro® Industrial Bi-Metal Hole Saw, 3 in. - 3903176 | Tractor Supply Company

[ArkRescue (Premo)]

I asked and was told there is barely enough space under there to crawl so I guess that means no. Heck the bathroom floor stays damp almost year round - owner says yeah that's been a problem for 30 years - I guess it wasn't something he wanted to disclose prior to my signing the lease? So I use rubber backed rugs on the floor in the bathroom because the grout in the tile floor stays damp all the time. I'm not a construction person but I'd say that's a recipe for disaster????

Originally Posted by ginwoman

Ark-can you ask your landlord to insulate the crawl space? If they won't would it be worth your while to have it insulated yourself?