Contrary to what many people think, gas space heaters are a relatively carbon-friendly type of heaters, more than electric space heaters (most of the electricity we use comes from coal-powered plants)… The problem with gas space heaters is mainly on the safety issue and on their vented or ventless features…

See also: Electric vs gas space heaters

Vented gas heaters

Portable gas heaters aren't vented, contrary to most wall-mounted and many freestanding models. Obviously, vented units are much safer, and due to it largely preferable for residential uses.

New wall-mounted and freestanding gas furnaces and space heaters are energy efficient, quiet, compact and may have a cool-to-the-touch cabinet (to avoid burning hazards). Direct venting can be made directly through the back of the unit...

Capacities from around 20,000 BTU to above 30,000 BTU are common. Most of them run on propane (LP) or natural gas. Sealed combustion chambers separate the heated air from gases produced during the burning, ensuring a highly safe performance.

Prices are significantly higher than those of unvented gas heaters, not to talk of electric heaters. Most models have prices well above $500.

Curiously, this type of gas space heaters is more common in some moderate and hot climates (with short periods of cold weather) like Australia.

For customer reviews on this type heaters, see Amazon: Wall Gas Space Heaters.

Ventless gas space heaters

Manufacturers of ventless gas heaters like to point out the safety features of modern units. They have several controls that make them much safer than older models. These gas heaters should have at least a pilot with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) to shut off the heater if there isn’t enough fresh air in the room.

But they lack the sealed combustion chamber of vented units, and they have been banned in home heating, in some states.

Portable ventless natural gas and propane heaters

Besides the traditional lines of gas heaters there are now also cheap ($100-$200) portable ventless gas heaters, mainly focused on outdoor uses.

Mr. Heater is the most well-known manufacturer of this line of heaters, that include: new cordless forced air heaters, forced air propane heaters, radiant tank top heaters, forced air kerosene heaters, typical vent-free gas heaters, portable gas radiant heaters, etc.. These heaters are mostly designed for workshops, recreation areas, sporting events, sheds, barns, construction sites, etc.

Some of these heaters, though small, are very powerful (125,000 BTU/per hour or even 200,000 BTU/ per hour); but most have capacities around 10,000-30,000 BTU/per hour.

See for customer reviews on ventless gas heaters: Small Gas Heaters

Radiant vs. Convection gas heaters

Like electric space heaters, vented and ventless gas heaters can be portable or fixed, but also convection, radiant or convection-radiant…

See:
Convection vs radiant heating
Types of infrared fan heaters
Radiant Convection Heaters
Radiant Space Heating
Convection heating
Space heater wattage & BTU

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