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old greybeard
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2016 07:51am
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My cabin is 24x28. I have a small wall mounted ventfree propane heater we've used for 15 years. Mainly for fall and spring. Burn wood for main heat. We do have a open floor plan, and run the heater at night. Never really paid attention to the concerns about vent free. We keep a window cracked 2" and our cabin is not tight at all. We actually like the moisture put out as the humidity is needed, usually about 40-50% when we run the heater. Never had a issue with odor or moisture.
We use a direct vent stove at home and love it. But reading all the concerns about vent free am considering changing at camp. We also run a unvented fridge and cook stove. We have 2 CO detectors which have never gone off.
I'd like to know of any issues you've had with vent free of if like us they've worked well for you.
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drb777
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2016 10:14am
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Used to use vent-free infared in my trailer (pre-cabin days), tried both propane and natural gas, but could never get used to the smell or the worry, especially at night. So w/ the cabin build, I planned & installed a Vermont Casting DV gas stove, couldn't be happier. I'll never go back to vent-free heating. Oddly, my Amana natural gas cook stove/oven seems to emit no odor whatsoever, even for my rather sensitive nose. 'Keep the CO & smoke alarms working, but they don't tend to satisfy my nose or brain.
As a kid growing-up, my family was almost killed in a week long auto trip to the West coast when the old Chrysler New Yorker filled up w/ CO exhaust gas. So I guess I realize all too well how dangerous it can be, & that probably makes me a bit over-cautious.
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old greybeard
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2016 10:56am
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+1 on the vermont castings dv, have ran one at home for 15 years. But hate to spend $1500 0n a stove for a cabin.
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drb777
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2016 12:05pm
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Yes they are pricey, but the high quality and remote features are just great, I'm now spoiled. I was able to find a discontinued model (Pinnacle) on Ebay for a substantial discount. So that combined with unlimited free gas from wells on my property makes for a fairly quick pay-out.
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cman47c
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:08pm
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I have a Mr. Heater 20,000 BTH blue flame heater in my cabin. It works great. I keep windows cracked. I also have a Draeger CO monitor which registers real time CO concentrations. I also have 2 normal CO alarms. The heater registers 7 ppm on the Draeger, which is not bad. MY friend has a propane refridgerator which has set off the alarms when the combustion chimney is not cleaned regularly. I think the propane refridgerators are more problematic than the heaters but the heaters need maintenance also.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:46pm - Edited by: bobrok
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Quoting: cman47c I think the propane refridgerators are more problematic than the heaters but the heaters need maintenance also.
I will agree based on experience, and then add that the biggest culprits for me have been my Humphrey gas lights.
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RichInTheUSA
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2016 02:50pm
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I have a ventless natural gas fireplace... and the smell is pretty bad when i turn it on after a long time of not using it. Need to crack the window, just to be able to breath. Cough, cough....
I also have a vented natural gas fireplace... it doesn't smell, but 75% of the heat goes up the chimley.
I also have a propane heater, but don't use it out of fear of the CO.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2016 11:52am
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I ran a ventless propane heater in my last cottage for 11 years. Had to import from the US as they weren't available in Canada. I loved it. The only downside was the moisture. In dry times it was welcome, but it could get pretty damp inside during cool rainy days. I always had 2 CO monitors. Propane lights would always register some CO, but the heater never did.
The only reason I went direct vent in the new place was to avoid the moisture. But they sure aren't as efficient as ventless. Sure you have to take precautions, but I take the same precautions now, as I still have gas burning appliances.
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