No matter the type of luxury furniture and appliances fitted in a home, you cannot be comfortable without warmth. Heaters are therefore a necessity in any home to ensure it remains warm enough for the occupants.
Unlike the electric heaters that have a sleek look, natural gas heaters look a bit outdated. On the other hand, if you have a huge home that needs heating, natural gas heaters are your best bet.
Let’s take a deeper look at the differences between electric and gas heaters.
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Electric vs Gas Heaters
Truth be told. Electric heaters are more portable and have modern looks that can blend in with your home décor and theme. You only need to plug in an electric heater to your wall sockets, and your home will heat.
Natural gas heaters are bulkier than electric heaters, and you also need to buy a gas cylinder alongside them. If you have a small storage space, then you need to reconsider your options.
Electric heaters also come with more automatic features compared to gas ones. If you want more sophisticated features with your gas heater model, then you’ll have to buy an expensive one.
Another difference between the two heaters is that a natural gas heater emits more heat during the combustion process. It is therefore ideal for heating large spaces compared to electric heaters.
Factors to Consider When Buying Natural Gas Heaters
Here are some of the features that you need to consider when buying a gas heater for your home.
Heat Output
Heaters usually have a BTU rating that indicates the level of heat they can generate. The higher the BTU rating, the faster the heater increases temperatures. It’s best to buy the highest BTU-rated gas heater.
Warranty
Gas heaters are a bit pricey compared to electric ones. It’s therefore important to buy one with a few years of warranty to give you much-needed security in case it malfunctions.
Heat regulator
Overheating is a common problem with gas heaters which can cause skin burns. Buy a heater that has a thermostat which is pretty much the regulator.
Having a thermostat enables you to set a preferred temperature such that your gas heater won’t heat beyond it.
Room size
Another important factor to consider is the size of your room. Different gas heaters are ideal for different room sizes. A large room is one above 1000 square feet, a medium-sized house measures about 500 sqft while a small one is 300 sqft and below.
ODS shutoff system
When heaters work for a very long time, they tend to deplete oxygen levels in a room. You need to buy a natural gas heater with an automatic ODS shutoff system to shut the heater off whenever oxygen levels go below a certain level.
Now that we know what to look for in gas heaters, let’s look at some of the best natural gas heaters in the market.
Best Natural Gas Heaters for Homes in 2023
#1. ProCom Gas Infrared Wall Heater
This wall heater is rated 10,000BTU and is ideal for small rooms. The product heats through radiation and is also ideal for users with a low budget.
The heater is easy to install, and it comes with a mounting bracket. You can choose to mount it on the floor or your wall depending on your case’s most convenient method. The gas heater is also easy to use and comes with a push ignition feature that makes it easy to start.
When it comes to safety, this ProCom wall heater has an ODS shutoff system. Therefore, you can relax knowing that the oxygen levels in your home won’t go below the required levels.
This wall heater also contains a thermostat so that it doesn’t overheat. You can quickly set your desired temperature levels.
✅ It has a 12 months warranty
✅ Safe (has the ODS shutoff)
✅ The thermostat makes it possible to regulate temperatures
✅ Affordable
⛔️ Ideal for only small spaces
#2. Mr Heater Natural Gas Heater Unit
This Mr. Heater unit is the best if you have a big home that is more than 1000 square feet big. The natural gas heater has a BTU rating of 30,000, which gives it the power to emit a lot of heat at any given time.
The product is also CSA certified, and it comes with an automatic low oxygen shutoff system.
You don’t have to worry about your oxygen getting depleted when the heater becomes too hot. This is an amazing feature because you want a heater that can keep your house warm while at the same time offering maximum safety.
The heater has a thermostat to help you control the temperatures within your home. You want to have full control over your home’s heating levels, which is exactly the freedom Mr. Heater gives you with this heater.
Assembling is easy because the heater comes with mounting brackets. You can choose to mount it on the wall or the floor as it also comes with feet. It is also worth noting that you don’t need any expert help to mount as anyone can do it within minutes.
The heater uses a blue flame mechanism that heats the air and not objects like an infrared flame. Therefore, you can use it even in narrow spaces because it will only heat the air, which will rise, heating the room uniformly from bottom to top.
✅ Includes an electronic ignition
✅ Blue flame convection doesn’t emit any gas odors
✅ Perfect for areas with no electricity or areas prone to power outages
✅ Guaranteed safety with the ODS shutoff system
⛔️ On the lowest heat, it emits a gas odor
#3. Camplux Tankless Water Heater Natural Gas
You may have had people say that gas heaters compared to electric heaters look like the old granny. Well, not anymore! The Camplux tankless water heater has a compact and modern look that can auger well with most modern homes.
The manufacturers of this natural gas heater had your safety in mind. If you have young children, the device comes with a child lock.
The people living in very cold areas are also safe with the heater as it comes with an anti-freezing feature that’s fully automatic. The product also has anti-cheating protection so that you don’t have to panic when you’re far from home for long.
The tankless water heater has automatic temperature controls and an LED display showing the temperatures at any given time.
The feature makes it much more convenient because you don’t have to guess the house’s temperature readings.
✅ Heats not only water but also the whole house
✅ Fitted with high-quality safety features
✅ Energy efficient
✅ Easy to install
⛔️ A bit pricey compared to other products in this category
#4. Rinnai Vent-free Natural Gas Heater
This propane gas heater is hands down the best if you’re looking for efficiency and quality. The heater is perfect for heating large spaces. It also comes with automatic controls to help you set the temperatures you desire for your home. Notably, even at the lowest set temperatures, the heater is about 99 percent efficient.
The heater also has a fan that is powerful yet quiet. Interestingly, the fan will keep running even after the heater goes off—the mechanism aids in cooling the heater and distributing the heat throughout the house.
Safety is also guaranteed with the heater as it has an oxygen depletion shutoff system. You can therefore breathe easily without worrying about your oxygen getting depleted.
✅ Easy to install
✅ Highly efficient and saves energy
✅ It doesn’t make noise while in operation
✅ Safe
⛔️ Produces a bad smell when you first use it. The bad smell however goes away within a few hours of running.
#5. Bluegrass Natural Vent Free Infrared Gas Space Heater with Blower
This liquid propane space heater is assembled in the USA making sure that it meets the required quality standards. This ensures that you get value for your money
If you have a large space that needs heating, then this heater is the best solution. It has a maximum of 30,000 BTU that heats a 1,450 square feet area. This is great because most space heaters won’t heat beyond 1,000 square feet.
The product is highly economical as you don’t need any vent or chimney to operate. It’s simply turning it on and enjoying a perfectly heated space.
Safety is a major concern for any homeowner. The space heater has a built-in pilot oxygen depletion sensor. The ODS ensures that the heater shuts off whenever low oxygen or carbon monoxide is detected in your home.
Pros
✅ Easy initial setup
✅ You can set your preferred temperatures using the thermostat
✅ Great quality that guarantees durability
✅ Lightweight for portability
Cons
⛔️ The space heater may overheat your home if the thermostat isn’t properly set
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my natural gas heater on all night?
Safety is of utmost concern for any homeowner. Modern gas heaters come with safety features such as a timer, thermostat, and ODS shutoff system. However, machines could fail at any time, which could be fatal for your family.
To be safe, we recommend not leaving your heater on through the night. If you must, you’d rather condition the timer such that the heater runs for a certain period, after which it then shuts off.
Can gas heaters cause headaches?
Most unvented gas heaters will release carbon dioxide into the surroundings as a product of the combustion process. Unvented gas heaters also release vapor into the atmosphere, which is a problem if your house is already moist enough.
Carbon dioxide and water vapor are the main causes of headaches when using gas heaters. When making a purchase, aim at buying the vented gas heaters.
Are gas heaters safe for use indoors?
Yes, gas heaters are completely safe for use inside a house. However, you need to follow the manufacturer’s manual and maintain your heater in the best condition.
By doing so, you’ll avoid problems that could likely make the device unsafe.
Conclusion
Natural gas heaters are a great alternative to electric ones. Most of them can work without electricity, making them ideal for places that experience frequent power outages.
This guide outlines everything you need to know about natural gas heaters.
All the best in your purchase!