Gas heaters have many advantages over their electric and oil counterparts. Typically, 23% of a household’s income is spent on heating. So being energy efficient is an important factor when choosing a heater. Opting for a gas heater can reduce heating costs by more than half. With regular maintenance, gas heaters can last for 5 to 10 years. They are reliable, cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Gas heater servicing should occur at least once per year. Some aspects of gas heater servicing can be done without the need for a professional. Vacuuming the duct registers when necessary keeps the gas heater in good shape. Regular maintenance is important to keep the heater running at maximum capacity. It also reduces any possible safety risks.
Regular gas heater servicing is vitally important. When these heaters are not serviced regularly, carbon monoxide leakage can become a problem. Carbon monoxide is a Purchasing a carbon monoxide detector near the heater can help alert to any leaks. Gas leaks are harmful not only for inhalation but post significant fire risks.
There are two main types of gas heaters. Flued and portable. Each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Flued
Flued gas heaters are installed indoors and have pipes that direct any gas fumes to the outdoors. This ensures that the room that the heater is installed in does not become fume-filled. Regular gas heater servicing will keep the flue in good working order.
One benefit of a flued gas heater is the ability to set the thermostat. This keeps the gas heater running to keep the room at a constant temperature. This is done with the use of a remote control. Being able to program the heater to turn on and off at certain times and at certain temperatures, enables the room to always be warm when entering. Child lock is a new feature that is being installed, which is always handy to reduce any potential child hazards.
Portable
Portable gas heaters are a heater that is on wheels that is lightweight and easy to move, making it ideal for those people who need a heater they can move from room to room as needed. They are always ready to go once plugged in and provide instant heat at a rate of up to 26 megajoules per hour. If using a portable gas heater, ventilation is quite important. Without adequate ventilation, water vapour can cause condensation to form on walls and floors, causing mould. Not having a flue does mean that there will be some carbon monoxide fumes that are leaked into the area, but these amounts are very minimal.
Environmental Impacts
When choosing gas heating, environmental sustainability can be the main concern. Some of the bigger types of heating sources such as coal or oil, natural gas have low carbon emissions. Natural gas heaters reduce carbon emissions by up to 70% less than other fossil fuels. Natural gas heaters work by use of a combustion process. This process produces only a tiny number of by-products that are then released into the air. Making them great for the environment and for the home.