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 Photo: amazon.com Propane heaters are an incredibly effective way to quickly heat a medium to large space using liquid propane as a fuel, surpassing the potential of most residential electric heaters. These days many models boast a near 99 percent efficiency, which allows you to enjoy them inside or outside of your home. Finding the best propane heater for your purposes depends on how you will use it, where it will be used, the heat output you need, and the important safety features included. Take a look at some of the top products below to start your search for the best propane heater for your home.
Photo: amazon.com What to Consider When Choosing the Best Propane HeaterBefore choosing the best propane heater for your patio, garage, or home, take a look below to learn about some of the most important shopping considerations that can help you select a heater that suits your needs. IgnitionPropane heaters must have the pilot light ignited before the unit will produce any heat. Keep in mind that igniting the pilot light requires the gas to be turned on. These units typically have one of three different ignition methods: manual ignition, push-button ignition, and continuous ignition.
LocationOne of the main benefits of having a propane heater is that they are usually portable and can be connected to a small or large propane tank. It’s relatively easy to take a portable propane heater with you to another room, to the garage, or to the outdoors. However, if you have one or two main locations in mind for your heater, the product needs to be suited to those main areas. The best outdoor propane heaters have enough heating power to deal with the rapid dissipation of heat that will naturally occur in a wide-open space. If you want a great camping heater, you can choose from a large outdoor option, or you might be better off with a handheld propane heater that will keep you warm instead of heating the entire area around you. Some users may prefer to have a wall-mounted propane heater to save floor space and to keep the heater away from kids and pets. Propane heaters intended for indoor use need to ensure that they are not putting hazardous fumes into the air, and these heaters need to have a large number of safety features to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and reduce the risk of fires. PortabilityPortability is one of the features that sets propane heaters apart from electric or natural gas heaters, but not all propane heaters can really make the claim that they are portable. Some propane heaters that have built-in fans or other electronic components will typically need to be plugged into a power source, despite their main fuel being propane. If portability is a key factor for you, then a propane heater that doesn’t need an electrical power source is a better choice. A smaller size and a carrying handle will make it easier to pick up and move around. However, if you need a larger heater for commercial or industrial applications, you can find powerful propane heaters that sit on a set of wheels. The wheels make it easier to move the heater around your space. SafetyWhenever you are using any type of heating device, you need to be certain that you are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure that you aren’t putting yourself or anyone else at risk. This includes the proper storage of propane tanks and adequate ventilation when the heater is in use. There are other safety features to consider like overheating protection, a tip-over mechanism, and an oxygen depletion sensor.
BTU CapacityThe heat output of a propane heater is normally measured in British thermal units (BTUs), with each BTU equal to the heat it would take to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The BTU rating of a propane heater can range widely from as low as 3,000 BTUs to higher than 300,000 BTUs. The best BTU output for your heater will depend on how and where you want to use it. Outdoor heaters naturally require a higher heat output. Before deciding on a product, measure the room that needs to be heated. To help you figure out which heater is best, most manufacturers list the BTU output and include the approximate square footage that is appropriate for the heater. For example, a heater with a maximum BTU of 10,000 may heat a space of approximately 250 square feet, while a unit that has a maximum of 18,000 BTUs will have no problem with 450 square feet. SizeSize is a factor that can impact where you use the heater, how it is set up, and whether it’s portable or stationary. A small heater can be picked up and carried around without a problem. It also can usually be used both indoors and outdoors without producing harmful fumes because these smaller heaters tend to burn fuel at a slower pace. Large propane heaters can take up a lot of space, which can become a safety hazard if they are too close to flammable objects in the room. Their size also may affect the placement in the room, or it may limit the product to outdoor use. However, a larger propane heater is able to hold an equally large propane tank so you won’t have to replace it as frequently as the fuel in a small heater. Our Top PicksThe following propane heaters were selected for quality and price, with a focus on the shopping considerations mentioned above. Photo: walmart.com The Mr. Heater Buddy Propane Heater has an attractive design, with a sturdy, fold-down carrying handle that makes it easy to pick up and take wherever it’s needed. The heater has a BTU range of 4,000 to 9,000, making it capable of heating up to 225 square feet of space. Reduce the temperature or reduce the intensity of the heat output in a smaller space. Easily connect a one-pound tank of propane using the swivel-out regulator, then swivel it back into place so that the heater remains as compact as possible. This heater is able to burn propane at a near 100 percent efficiency, which makes it an option for indoor applications. It also has a tip-over safety mechanism, and an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) that ensures the oxygen level never drops to a dangerous point. Product Specs
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Get the Mr. Heater MH9BX propane heater at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Walmart. Photo: amazon.com Take advantage of the clever tank-top design of this propane heater to get high heat output without sacrificing on portability. The propane heater is made to connect to the top of a 20-pound liquid propane tank, so users can pack the heater in their backpack to bring to the campsite and pick up a tank of liquid propane on the way or purchase one at the campsite. Once connected, the propane heater can generate up to 15,000 BTUs, and it comes equipped with a protective windscreen and grill, as well as a built-in safety switch to prevent accidental lighting. This affordable tank-top propane heater is a great option for camping trips, heating up the patio, or keeping the garage warm while working on the latest DIY project. It has a durable steel construction and a simple dial to control the heat. Just keep in mind that this product only works with a 20-pound propane tank. Product Specs
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Get the Dura Heat propane heater on Amazon and at Walmart. Photo: amazon.com This forced air propane heater is able to heat any space much faster than a radiant heater. This is because the unit can produce up to 125,000 BTUs. Instead of allowing the heat to radiate out naturally from the heater, a heavy-duty fan pushes the heated air out where it rapidly warms the surrounding air. If 125,000 BTUs is too hot, know that the heater also can be reduced to 70,000 BTUs, allowing users to save propane and avoid overheating. On the highest setting, this propane heater can heat up to 3,100 square feet and it connects to a tank of liquid propane (not included) for fuel. Product Specs
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Get the Dyna-Glo propane heater on Amazon. Photo: amazon.com This innovative little camping heater can be filled with 110 gram or 230 gram butane, isobutane, or propane fuel canisters that fit neatly inside the base of the propane heater. However, it can also be connected directly to a 1-pound propane tank through a hose, which is sold separately. The propane heater measures 8.3 inches in height and 7.3 inches in diameter and can collapse to just 5.1 inches in height for easy storage. It weighs only 2 pounds but can produce up to 9,000 BTUs for heating, cooking, or both. Simply set the propane heater into cook and heat mode to cook a meal while staying warm. Product Specs
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Get the Campy Gear propane heater on Amazon and at Walmart. Photo: amazon.com For many DIYers, the garage is the only space available for working on projects. Losing that space to cold temperatures is avoidable when DIYers can use this propane heater to heat a space of up to 450 square feet. The heater has three heat output settings, including a low setting of 6,000 BTUs, a medium setting of 12,000 BTUs, and a high setting that reaches 18,000 BTUs. The propane heater has a space in the back designed to accommodate a 20-pound propane tank so that users can move the entire unit around easily on the four attached swivel wheels. This product also has several safety systems, including a tip-over safety mechanism and an ODS sensor to automatically shut down the heater if the oxygen level gets too low. Product Specs
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Get the Mr. Heater MH18CH propane heater on Amazon and at The Home Depot. Photo: amazon.com The AmazonBasics Outdoor Propane Patio Heater is made with stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic, featuring a wide heating radius of nine feet, so guests don’t need to huddle close for warmth. Control the heat output of this device with the simple temperature dial, allowing users to turn off the propane quickly or turn the heater up to an impressive 46,000 BTUs for the maximum heat output. Despite weighing 36 pounds, this propane heater can still be blown over in strong winds or knocked over by a passing person. When the heater detects that it is tilting to one side, the heater automatically turns off. The base of the propane heater is designed to hold a 20-pound liquid propane tank, and it also comes with a water box that can help weigh down the base and increase stability. However, the drawback of this heater is that it isn’t easy to pack into a car or truck to take camping. Product Specs
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Get the Amazon Basics propane heater on Amazon. Photo: amazon.com While this portable propane heater was specifically designed for the golf course, it also is suitable for keeping users warm at the campsite or when they are out on the fishing boat. It’s fueled by a one-pound propane tank that’s covered with a plastic adapter. The adapter can be used to hold the heater at the ideal distance for personal heating or it can be placed in a stable location, like a golf cart cup holder. The heater produces a maximum of 4,000 BTUs, allowing users to heat up to 100 square feet. However, it also includes several safety features like an oxygen depletion system that will shut down if the oxygen level drops below a safe point. A wind-resistant screen protects the pilot light and the heat produced by the heater. This heater also has a safety tip-over switch that will shut the heater down when it detects that it has fallen over. Product Specs
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Get the Mr. Heater F242010 propane heater at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Walmart. Our VerdictCompact and powerful, the Mr. Heater Buddy propane heater is the right option for camping or ice fishing, but if you are looking for a great way to heat the patio and use any remaining propane from the barbecue tank, then the Dura Heat TT-15S propane heater is a great choice. How We Chose the Best Propane HeatersWhether the need for a heater is to keep warm on the back deck at home or to take it camping to stay warm out in the wilderness, safety needs to be the top priority. With this in mind, safety was a primary factor during the selection process for the best propane heaters. In order to distinguish between the many propane heaters available on the market, extensive research into each product was conducted. This also helped to identify important product features and determine the basic specs of each item. Given that the purpose of a heater is to provide heat, the BTUs of each product were also carefully considered alongside common safety features, like tip-over shut-off or oxygen depletion sensors. Portability also factored into the selection process because a main advantage propane heaters have over electric heaters is their portability. If a product failed to deliver on this key trait, then it wasn’t likely to pass the selection. However, it should be noted that the portability of tank-top propane heaters was considered both while the heater was attached to the propane tank and after it was removed. The Advantages of Owning a Propane HeaterThere are many advantages to owning a propane heater. One of the defining features is that these heaters are typically fueled by a portable container of propane, giving you the freedom to carry them with you from room to room or even take out into the middle of the woods when you go camping. Unless the heater has a built-in fan unit, you won’t have to be tethered to a power outlet with this heater. You also get the benefit of cost savings when you invest in a propane heater. This is because the average cost of electricity is higher than the average cost of propane. With a propane heater, you have a wide range of heat output options that can increase well beyond the capabilities of an electric or natural gas heater, allowing you to rapidly heat up large outdoor spaces.
FAQsIf you still have questions about propane heaters, read below to find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. Q: Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from propane?If the propane heater is not being used in a well-ventilated location, it can begin to give off carbon monoxide, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in a matter of minutes. If you are using the heater in a larger enclosed space like a garage, make sure that you have a carbon monoxide detector installed to warn you of any danger. Q: Is it safe to have a propane heater in a bedroom?No, it is generally considered to be a bad idea to have a lit propane heater in your bedroom because it will quickly burn up the oxygen in an enclosed room and begin to produce carbon monoxide. Alternatively, you may fall asleep while the heater is on, which is how the majority of fires caused by heaters tend to start. Q: Do propane heaters need ventilation?Yes, propane heaters need proper ventilation to ensure that you don’t get carbon monoxide poisoning. If you are using the heater in your home, make sure that there is a source of fresh air, like an open window, and have at least one carbon monoxide detector nearby so that you know if you need to turn the heater off and leave the area. Q: How do you light an indoor propane heater?Light a propane heater by following these simple steps.
What kind of heater is most energy efficient?4 Most Energy Efficient Space Heaters. Dr Infrared Portable Space Heater.. Stiebel Eltron CK 15E.. Lasko Heating Space Heater.. Mr. Heater MH9BX Buddy.. How can I make my propane heater more efficient?To make your propane system even more efficient and economical, switch out any pilot lights on the unit with electronic igniters. That way, the system will consume less energy all winter long. Program the thermostat to adjust the system to lower temperatures during hours when you are asleep or away from home.
What kind of propane heaters can be used indoors?5 Best Indoor Propane Heater. How efficient are propane wall heaters?Propane heaters are an incredibly effective way to quickly heat a medium to large space using liquid propane as a fuel, surpassing the potential of most residential electric heaters. These days many models boast a near 99 percent efficiency, which allows you to enjoy them inside or outside of your home.
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