Are Unvented Natural Gas Heaters Safe

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is the byproduct of combustion reactions.

Are unvented natural gas heaters safe.

Natural gas is very clean and inexpensive as well. The major risk when dealing with ventless gas heater safety is the production of carbon monoxide. This colorless odorless gas is toxic to both humans and animals in high quantities. Ashrae position paper cited below.

An oxygen depletion sensor ods on unvented gas heaters and fireplaces shuts off the gas flow if the oxygen level drops below 18 an indicator that not enough fresh air is getting into the house but the ods does not detect carbon monoxide or other hazardous emissions. Yes carbon monoxide inside the home is certainly a danger and that s the best reason to get rid of unvented gas space heaters. During complete combustion natural gas which is mostly methane ch4 combines with oxygen o2 from the air and produces carbon dioxide co2 and water vapor h2o. Carbon monoxide results from incomplete combustion of natural gas.

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin the body s oxygen carriers in the blood and make it impossible for the body to deliver oxygen to the body eventually causing death. Both are very good options to use for your ventless heater. An oxygen depletion sensor ods on unvented gas heaters and fireplaces shuts off the gas flow if the oxygen level drops below 18 an indicator that not enough fresh air is getting into the house but the ods does not detect carbon monoxide or other hazardous emissions. It s just never a good idea to burn a fuel inside your home without having a vent for the combustion gases.