Direct Vent vs. Vent-Free Space Heaters

Today’s propane space heaters are efficient, powerful devices that can really transform a hard-to-heat living space in your North Carolina home – whether that space is your basement, a sunroom, a garage, or even a whole section of your home.

Equipped with thermostats, blowers, and other advanced performance and safety features, today’s space heaters will keep you warm and comfortable with even heat from floor to ceiling.

But how do you choose a propane space heater that’s right for you? Here are some basics to help get you started in your space heater search.

Space heater type 1: Direct vent

Direct vent space heaters are essentially propane-fired combustion boxes that use outdoor air to create heat; any fumes produced by combustion are vented directly outside your home via a small pipe through an exterior wall.

Direct vent space heaters offer a powerful, flexible, economical and unobtrusive alternative to installing a traditional furnace or boiler. They feature:

• Duct-free operation, making them less expensive to install and maintain than a traditional furnace or boiler;
• Precision heating, with the ability to vary intensity and fan speed to make temperature changes as small as 1° Fahrenheit;
• Easy installation, with simple one-hole venting and no ductwork; and
• Easy operation, with some models featuring programmable thermostats that allow you to adjust operation based on your habits and usage.

Space heater type 2: Vent-free space heaters

Vent-free propane space heaters require neither venting nor ductwork to operate, and both are available in a variety of capacities to suit just about any home or work space.

Compared to direct vent options, vent-free propane heaters are less expensive and offer greater installation flexibility, since they don’t require outdoor venting or access to an external wall. However, unlike direct vent options, combustion fumes in both vent-free options are vented inside the home, which affect some people who are sensitive to odors or allergies.

Vent-Free gas heaters are available in two basic types: blue flame or infrared; both are extremely efficient (typically more than 99 percent), using the about the same amount of gas to produce the same amount of overall heat.

• Infrared vent free heaters use gas to heat ceramic panels that radiate heat like the sun. They heat radiating heat to objects (or people) in the room rather than by heating the air itself. Because of the, the effect of an infrared heater is extremely targeted: if you stand directly in front of one, you will feel the heat immediately, making it a great heater to stand in front of if you have just come in from the cold.
• Blue flame vent free heaters operate by convection, warming the actual air in the room. A blue flame heater may take longer to heat a room because it must heat the air rather than a targeted object, but it will provide more consistent temperature control than an infrared heater. If your space is insulated, a blue flame heater is probably the better choice.

The bottom line

Whatever choice you make, a propane space heater can recover a “lost,” hard-to-heat room with ease; they’re a great, cost-efficient choice for any home with a heating challenge.

Not sure what kind of space heater to choose for your North Carolina home? Why not check out a few in person at our new demo showroom! Look for details about our grand opening in coming blogs, or contact us to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a space heater installation!