Ventless gas heaters sound like a good deal at first:
- They’re inexpensive.
- Can be located almost anywhere in a house.
- Don’t require an expensive vent pipe or much in the way of installation cost.
- They’re efficient.
These attributes can make them attractive solutions for many homeowners, but make no mistake, they are dangerous. Even with careful maintenance and followed recommendations for safe usage, Unvented gas heaters pose several threats. Here are the three real dangers of using unvented gas heaters.
Fire Risk
- Improper installation, positioning, and maintenance are the most common reasons why these heaters create housefires. These heaters can still be a fire danger in smaller spaces if placed near combustibles such as furniture, fabrics, and paper.
- Allowing them to run for too long or running them unsupervised, especially with pets or children, are also dangerous causes for house fires.
Unvented Gas Heaters May Cause Health Issues:
Natural gas and propane heaters significantly impact indoor air quality and, as a result, can become a severe health concern.
- Ventilation is needed to remove pollutants such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Unvented gas heaters do not have this option, though, which makes them not only dangerous but also falsely boosts their heating efficiency.
- According to the National Fuel Gas Code, one air change per hour (ACH) would mean that a room that measures 10