How does a propane space heater smell?
I just got a small propane space heater today to keep our jobsite home a little warmer while we try to back prime some cedar siding indoors. It’s been down to 30 degrees at night here lately. There’s no other heat in the home at the moment, new furnace coming next week.
The heater works OK, as far as making heat goes, but it smells like it’s burning kerosene, not propane. I called the company and they said “oh, yeah, they smell for the first three hours” but I’m kinda leery of that answer.
My thinking is a propane heater should smell like a propane forklift, not a jet engine.
thoughts? Recommendations?
Replies
In my opinion the propane smells worse then the kerosene. I heat my garage with a torpedo kerosene heater when working on project and there is almost no foul smell.
my next door neighbor has a propane unit and when I walked into his garage when he was using it I about fell over from the fumes.
I would take it back for a kerosene torpedo if you can still get one. HD had them at 50% off last Sunday.
i have a couple propane heaters,they do smell when you first fire them.they burn off some oil and dirt ,then no problem. i think what may be happening is the primer your using [i'm guessing a oil base] is puttting off some fumes and then is going through the heater and burning ,which is making the smell. it doesn't take much to make them stink and burn your eyes a little. try firing it up before you even open the primer and let it run for 30 mins or so and see if it's ok. then if you start brushing and it starts stinking you know why. larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
I think you nailed it .
Using oil based paint (and producing fumes) doesn't sound like a great idea around an open flame heater. :-(
I have a propane job site heater. The fumes suck if you are in the house for all day. Some of my workers use kerosene heaters and the fumes suck if you are in the house all day, but the kerosene is a little better. Some here say use electric heaters, but an internet search showed me that one that could really heat up a house cost about $2000 and required a 80# cord. I went to Lowes and HD and they did indeed have them at 1/2 off, but no elect heater they had was any better than to be able to heat up a single room, and even that would have to be left over night which isn't really an option unless I want to risk getting the heater and cord stolen; cord would have to go out front to the T-pole.
Right now, I'm trying to get my job up to where I can get the elect and heat turned on so the plumbing can be tested. At least partially based on what Bob said, I think I'll have the cleaning ladies come and clean up some before I do get the heat turned on.
Really though, it seems like there is no great solution to this job site heat issue.
In small spaces I have used electric ceramic element heaters. They work well in areas like a double garage.
No fumes, no open flames. Easy to move around, no re-fill, can leave the heater on as long as you have power.
Two points:
1) Just about any new heater, including an electric one, produces odors when it's first fired up. Oils used in the metalwork are cooked off, and there is a burning oil smell of sorts. And when older heaters are first fired up after months of disuse there is typically a smell due to burning dust, etc. This is more of an electric smell, I'd say.
2) Propane contains an odorant similar to what's put into natural gas. If combustion is not complete, or there are any leaks, then this odorant produces a smell. In addition, in larger tanks typically there is a large tablet of solid odorant sitting in the bottom of the tank. When this tablet is exposed it produces considerably more odor -- enough to produce an odor even with proper combustion (to signal the user that the gas is running low).
I didn't know propane heater could smell... I didn't know they had noses. ...;-)
I think it's their feet that smell.......
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., wer ist jetzt der Idiot ?
>>new furnace coming next week.
New furnaces are not supposed to be used on construction sites - the dust (especially drywall dust) is hared on them.
Plus, there's increased chances of condensation in and damage to the flue
What made the teaching of Jesus different and apparently so hard to accept then as now, was that it required a critical reassessment of the structures and values and attitudes of human society as his listeners and followers shared in it.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)
Bob
New furnaces are not supposed to be used on construction sites
I'm sure you have some reason/justification for this statement but I have never been in a new house where the furnace wasnt used durring the construction.
I'm in Iowa, similar climate to yours, and I've probably been in several hundred new homes(durring the winter months)
Now granted I'm doing trim work - hence I'm comming into the house towards the end so maybe they didnt use the furnaces early on, dont know with any certainty but I'm thinking they did.
I just found the comment interesting since it may be one of those things that should be done but isnt?
Doug
>> >>New furnaces are not supposed to be used on construction sites>>I'm sure you have some reason/justification for this statement but I have never been in a new house where the furnace wasnt used durring the construction. Every installation manual I've looked at says not to do it, for the two reasons I mentioned. (And I look for the manual in every house I inspect)The same is true here: contractors are guys, we don't need no stinkin instructions.And they use the cheapest filters available, the ones that only stop adult mice.But shoot, the blower and flue won't fail during the contractor's warranty period.
What made the teaching of Jesus different and apparently so hard to accept then as now, was that it required a critical reassessment of the structures and values and attitudes of human society as his listeners and followers shared in it.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)
Do you have a co alarm where you are using the heater?
Warrantees are written by lawyers
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hey Bob, around here the flooring contractors won't warrantee their floors if the heat/AC isn't on.We double filter the air returns, seal the edges with green tape, and haven't had any problems. Been doing it about 10 years.The inspections dept. even will issue conditional power ok, just for this.Every bath, kitch and laundry room gets a working gfci...no cords running out the doors or windows. It's just considered part of building a good house. "But to be honest some folks here have been pushing the envelope quite a bit with their unnecessary use if swear words. They just put a character in to replace a letter. But everyone knows what they're saying." Sancho
The furnace manufacturers say not to use the "final" furnace during coonstructionEverybody does....
What made the teaching of Jesus different and apparently so hard to accept then as now, was that it required a critical reassessment of the structures and values and attitudes of human society as his listeners and followers shared in it.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)
Your reply is as dumb as your signature, you don't have a clue what you are talking about!
Can you disagree without the insult? The man has plenty of knowledge in this area, how bout you?
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The secret to a long life is knowing when its time to go. M. Shocked
well, Shacko has a point.I stupidly left out the third reason manufactures say furnaces shouldn't be installed during the construction phase:Like this, from Bryant:"CAUTION: Do not use this furnace during construction when adhesives, sealers and/or new carpets are being installed.... Compounds of chlorine and fluorine when burned ... form acids which cause corrosion of the heat exchangers and metal vent system."That was in their Series G installation manual.
I'm not sure why he thinks my tag is "stupid."Maybe because I'm expressing my religious belief? Or maybe because I'm saying following Christian teachings is hard?It is for me, at least.
What made the teaching of Jesus different and apparently so hard to accept then as now, was that it required a critical reassessment of the structures and values and attitudes of human society as his listeners and followers shared in it.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)
Edited 2/2/2007 1:12 pm ET by rjw
Or , he just dislikes you..?
I just read it as a cheep shot, not worthy of posting.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The secret to a long life is knowing when its time to go. M. Shocked
If it were not for sin following Jesus would be easy.
Your reply is as dumb as your signature, you don't have a clue what you are talking about!
He made that post at 2:05 am, yours was made at 12:17 pm - you had that much time and thats the best reply you could come up with? I gotta wonder who's the dumb one here!
Doug
If you kids don't stop this fighting right now I"m turning the car around.
I'm not fighting - he started it!
Doug
Mommy, he's looking at me!!
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
are we there yet???Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I gotta go potty!!
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I'm hungry...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Can we stop at Stuckey's??? Can we, huh? Can we?
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
99 bottles of beer on the wall................................Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I just installed a ventless , 99 per cent free jobs , blue flame .
I ran it yesterday all day and it doesnt smell at all. None .
Tim
>>I just installed a ventless , 99 per cent free jobs , blue flame .I recommend you read, undrstand and follow the manufacturer's instructioins and safety warnings.It may not be used in bedrooms.It is not intended as a primary heat source.Open a window (or better, a door) at least 1"I'll add: use a good CO meter (minimum, witha digital readout - best is a low level, as at the http://www.aeromedix.com site)BTW - there is no such thing as a "ventless" combustion heater.It vents - it's just using the whole house to do so.Sort of like living in a chimney.When they work right, there isn't much CO dnager, although themoisture they add to the air is significant, and all sorts of other combustion by-products.When they don't work right, they cause serious medical problems and can kill.PS: Color of the flame doesn't mean squat
What made the teaching of Jesus different and apparently so hard to accept then as now, was that it required a critical reassessment of the structures and values and attitudes of human society as his listeners and followers shared in it.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)
That was a good post to me .
Blue flame is the type of heater and it says its ventless .
I know its not ventless but that type of heater is much better than the old ones , being its safer. Actually there is no flame which means to me its all burned . Plenty of moisture present .
The subject house is a nice one that doesnt have a central unit . I did pretty much all I could do to it and it sits in a bad school district in the country sticks. Its on a dirt road etc. Country people rent it .
It was built with a chimney for a wood stove to serve as primary heat but the insurance people would not allow that on my commercial bulk policy.
The new ventless type heater was an option as it is operated off a thermostat which the insurance accepted. Since they covered it my liability umbrella covers it too.
I actually wondered about what I should do from a liability standpoint and this stove was an option to making it.
The house is on a slab and is a two story . I dont see a good way.
What would you do with it ?
Tim
Installed a CO detector and smoke alarms .
Tim,From a liability point of view, I don't think getting a pass from the insurance people is going to do it, depending on its use and installation details.You always have to follow the manufacturer's installation and use instructions. Per the rules which apply to all: they are not intended to be the primary heat source. They are not allowed to be used in bedrooms and bathrooms, which could be interpreted as saying they aren't allowed to be used as heat sources for those rooms regardless of where they are located - although this rule could go either way.There are vented space heaters available and you could probably use the existing chimney for the flue.
What made the teaching of Jesus different and apparently so hard to accept then as now, was that it required a critical reassessment of the structures and values and attitudes of human society as his listeners and followers shared in it.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)
Mine smells a lot like crisping hot dogs.
I wonder why.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I don't think the smell is that bad, but I spent today repainting a new addition from the soot from a propane heater. It was in every corner and wherever there was a ceiling joist.
Not the first time I've had to do that, and the heat isn't great for the drywall mud either.
Can you get your $ back?
If a propane heater is producing soot it isn't properly adjusted, or there is a lack of oxygen in the room.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
We thought that might be the case - it was turned down one night, but we're a little gun-shy to ever use it again, compounded by the moisture issue.
Treat every person you meet like you will know them the rest of your life - you just might!
> Can you get your $ back?
Yes, I bought it at HD two days ago. Have all the parts and pieces. Dont' know about returning the propane tank tho, since we've used the propane in it. I might just hang onto it as a spare for the BBQ grill. (Its one of those BlueRhino trade-empty-for-full tanks).
ventless is advertising hype to make you think its an advantage - you are still burning fuel inside? right?
making CO that kills?
>>you are still burning fuel inside? right?
>>making CO that kills?Almost all of the "ventless" gas heaters I test* are not producing significant amounts of CO - usuallty in the 10 ppm to 50 ppm range, which is quickly diluted and leaves no measurable amount in the ambient air.However, if they go out of adjustment (the most common problem is probably flame impingement) they can start producing large amounts of CO.TRhe other potential cause of CO is if the oxygen levels drop too much, either from consumption of the available O2 or from the CO2 building up in the room.For the past several years, they use a pilot light and thermocouple as an "oxygen depletion sensor" which is supposed to prevent them from working when O2 levels are too low.I don't know if the oxygen depletion sensors actually perform as intended. I will confess I am suspicious of all claims made by companies who manufacture and sell "ventless" heaters"
----------------FWIW, I have taken a number of course in CO Safety Analysis and Combustion analysis and have been "certified" and (ii) follow a detialed protocol in testing for CO
What made the teaching of Jesus different and apparently so hard to accept then as now, was that it required a critical reassessment of the structures and values and attitudes of human society as his listeners and followers shared in it.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)
As Dan said, if it's sooting, it is out of adjustment and almost certainly producing large, even dangerous, possibly deadly amounts of CO.I have tested a few combustion appliances with a lot of soot which were not making too much CO when I tested, but its possible the problems had been fixed and the soot left in place the soot ghosting you mention is from moisture (from the heater, in this case) condensing on cold surfaces (such as where the studs provide thermal bridging) and then the soot sticking to the moisture.Happens with candles, too (although they don't provide the moisture.)
What made the teaching of Jesus different and apparently so hard to accept then as now, was that it required a critical reassessment of the structures and values and attitudes of human society as his listeners and followers shared in it.
- Monika K. Hellwig
from Jesus: The Compassion of God (The Liturgical Press, 1983)