Garage Propane Heater Vent Types

Gravity Vented

• A gravity vented propane heater is the cheapest to maintain and is the most compact design. Gravity vented means that the air naturally leaves the heater and is not distributed by the use of a fan. The air in the garage is used to circulate the heat from the unit. To run a gravity vented heater, ensure that the vent pipe for the unit runs vertically out of the building. You also need to ensure that your garage is not under negative air pressure, which means the air in your garage is venting out by another means such as a bathroom exhaust fan.

Power Vented

• This is the most popular type of propane heater used in garages. A power vented heater uses much the same concept as a gravity vented heater with the addition of a flue vent booster fan. The fan circulates the byproducts of the heater’s combustion. You are also able to route the venting pipe horizontally with this type of heater. The venting is usually through a sidewall to avoid the cost of venting the heater through the roof.

Separated or Sealed Combustion

• As the name suggests, a separated combustion propane heater is separated and sealed from the garage space. This type of heater has two flues. One draws air in from the outside of the garage and the other exhausts the combustion byproducts back to the outside. This type of heater is popular in garages where fine dust collects. An example of this would be a garage used primarily for woodworking. Because the furnace has two flues, the dust is not circulated throughout the garage.

Vent Free

• Vent free propane heaters are a newer type of heater used in garages. This type of heater has an oxygen sensor that turns the unit off if there is not enough oxygen in the garage. It is important to have at least one window open in your garage when operating a vent free unit. This keeps enough oxygen circulating in your garage.