Gas heater & wood moisture - Woodworking Talk

Captflx · 01-14-2009, 10:14 PM

As I was shopping for a vent free gas heater for my shop, I learned that a by product of gas heat is water vapor---about 1 oz. per 1,000 btu.
Anyone had moisture problems with wood supplies or projects when using this type of heater?
If so, my alternative is a more expensive vented heater that also uses outside fresh air for combustion.

Kudzu · 01-14-2009, 10:30 PM

I use a 2 brick in my Basement shop and no problem there at all.

autoBrad · 01-14-2009, 10:41 PM

Exactly what type of heater are you looking at? only ventless gas heaters I know of are like the propane tube heaters, etc... Also, make sure you consider the fire hazard for different types of heaters... I'm ultimately going to end up with a sealed combustion furnace haning in my ceiling with a vent and intake to the outside..

I am curious to hear what people say about this.. Especially the moisture aspect. Right now I keep most of my wood in a non heated non insulated garage .. So, I know that wood has moisture..

BHOFM · 01-14-2009, 10:48 PM

We heat the house with a ventfree fire place and
yes, they do make moisture! Which is nice in the
house!

More than I want in the shop.

I use an electric in the shop and the humdidty is
below 20% most of the time!

firehawkmph · 01-14-2009, 11:42 PM

Capt,
There was another thread last month about what we use to heat our shops. In it there was a good deal of info on the different gas heaters.
Mike Hawkins

Direct vent gas heat

Captflx · 01-15-2009, 10:30 AM

I did locate the previous thread about what type of heater; however, the moisture generated by a vent free propane or N.G. heater was not discussed as it relates to the condition of wood. In a cold dry climate perhaps the moisture is a benefit? Some safety issues have been raised about an open flame heater which I'll have to consider more.

rusty baker · 01-15-2009, 10:37 AM

Ventless heaters are illegal in many places because they can be dangerous. They tend to create carbon monoxide.

dbhost · 01-15-2009, 10:56 AM

It all depends on your shop. Mine is a bit drafty as it is in a garage with no real seals to speak of around the doors... (That needs to change soon). I use a Propane heater (Mr. Heater Portable Buddy, my Deer blind heater) to GET the shop warm. I use an electric oil filled radiator to keep it that way. I have one of those thermometer / humidity gauges in the shop, it doesn't fluctuate with or without heat... It DOES rocket skyward come spring time with the raise in relative humidity off the gulf of Mexico though...

BHOFM · 01-15-2009, 12:57 PM

All the later vent free units have sensors to detect
CO and low O2 and shut them down if needed.

If you use spray paint in the house it will shut our fire place
down.