In a time where consumers are diligently searching for new ways to cut costs and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the appliances and other systems in their homes, the demand for new affordable solutions to common needs is stronger than ever. What most homeowners fail to realize, however, is that there are already products on the market that can offer both increased efficiency, thereby lowering your home’s overall energy consumption, while also increasing effectiveness, essentially doing the job better than your current system. One of the most costly items in your home to operate, with regards to electrical consumption, is your heating system. While there are traditional central heating and air systems, fireplaces, and even portable electric heaters available, one of the most cost effective items on the market is a propane heater. Residential propane heaters come in two basic types, central heating systems and space heaters.
What Is A Central Propane Heater?
Central propane heating systems consist of a primary furnace that is attached to various locations in the house via a system of ducts. Within the furnace, there is an ignition mechanism and a set of burners, also called elements. The burners are typically made of porcelain which is ideal for conducting significant amounts of heat. When the furnace is activated, the ignition creates a spark which ignites the propane. The propane, in turn, begins to heat the burners. There is a fan mechanism attached to the furnace that pulls cooler air into the furnace, forcing it over the burners to heat up, and then pushes it into the ducts to be distributed throughout the house. The temperature in the house is controlled by a thermostat which is connected to the propane furnace. Older models were typically equipped with a control that simply adjusts the size of the flame heating the burners, thereby increasing or decreasing the temperature of the air being distributed. Newer models, however, are equipped with an electric ignition which turns the unit on once the temperature in the house drops below a certain number and then back off once the desired temperature is achieved.
What Are The Benefits Of Central Propane Heaters?
The electric ignitions on newer propane central air systems allow the unit to only run the burners when warm air is needed, as opposed to running them on a constant basis, thereby reducing the unit’s operating time as well as it’s energy consumption. Some systems will also include a backup method of igniting the fuel, which allows the unit to continue operating in the case of a power outage, ideal for ares prone to severe snowstorms during which the ability to keep your home heated is vital.
Central propane heaters can also be equipped with vent dampers, a component of the system that allows the unit to retain a substantial amount of hot air that has already been produced once the desired room temperature has been met. This hot air is kept in a reserve and is used once the temperature needs to be increased again, taking full use of the energy that was already expended to warm it initially.
Studies show that propane heaters can produce air significantly warmer than traditional heat pump systems, at times as much as 25 degrees warmer. While traditional air systems must typically be replaced every ten years or so, propane furnace heaters can often last up to twenty years. This is primarily due to the fact that its increased efficiency when compared to a traditional heat pump allows it to run for shorter periods of time, reducing the overall wear on the system itself and increasing its lifespan.
Propane heaters also come in a much larger selection of shapes and sizes than traditional central heating systems, making them an ideal choice for consumers who prefer the unit to be housed out of sight in the attic, basement, or closet or for homes that simply have a limited amount of space available that the unit can be placed in.
What Other Types Of Propane Heaters Are There?
Aside from central heating systems, propane heaters are also available in a variety of portable designs. Small room propane heaters are ideal for homeowners who have either a traditional central air system or a propane system but wish to cut costs by just heating the one or two rooms being occupied at the time. A portable propane heater is affordable and heats up almost instantly, reducing the waiting time that a larger unit requires to warm a room. They come in a range of sizes to suit any size room and are easily ported from room to room as needed. Identical to portable cooling units, the output capacity of propane space heaters are measured in terms of BTUs, or British Thermal Units. In order to determine the appropriate size heater you need t purchase, you should determine the square footage of the room it will be used in. If you plan to move it from room to room, you can usually average the sizes of the rooms in order to get an estimated measurement. Once you have determined the square footage, there are online and in-store charts published by the various manufacturers that can show you the recommended size unit to best suit your needs.
Portable units are also available for outdoor use and ideal for patio placement during the cooler months when you still want to be able to enjoy the outdoors without necessarily having to deal with the low temperatures. If you have a pool or spa you would like to use during the cooler months as well, propane pool heaters are available to provide an extremely efficient method of keeping your pool water warm and running your hot tub as well. These units not only cut costs over traditional pool heating systems, they also increase the amount of time during the year you can enjoy the use of your pool and hot tub.
Propane is an extremely versatile heating element that burns clean and helps consumers do their part to protect the environment. Propane heaters provide a wide variety of designs that offer efficient and affordable methods of heating your home, both inside and out.
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