How Safe Are Propane Garage Heaters?

Written on: April 3, 2023

Always allow for proper ventilation when heating your garage.

For so many homeowners in Hazleton, Mountain Top and other cities and towns in our Pennsylvania service area, a garage is more than just a place to put a car. It’s a woodworking space, workshop, art studio and place to hang out with friends.

But most garages are uninsulated and have cold concrete floors. On a chilly morning, it can get awfully cold in there. So, it’s unsurprising that many people come to Koppy’s Propane to talk about installing propane garage heaters.

Propane is an excellent way to heat your spaces. The products we sell and install are easy to operate, efficient and durable. Propane provides robust heat and can warm you better than natural gas or electricity.

Propane garage heaters are also quite safe. Propane emits very no methane and virtually no particulate matter. Even so, all fuel combustion produces byproducts, and you need to take proper safety precautions.

Safety tips for your propane-powered garage heater

Generally, propane garage heaters produce heat with a propane flame and a ceramic element. This process can lead to the accumulation of combustion byproducts, including carbon monoxide. You need to ensure proper ventilation and take the following precautions:

• Install your garage heater near a source of ventilation like a window.
• Install it on a non-combustible surface and away from flammable materials.
• Keep your garage door and/or window open when running your heater.
• Never leave your garage heater unattended. Turn it off when you aren’t in the garage.
• Turn off your heater if you see a yellow or orange flame, which indicates incomplete combustion. The flame should always be blue.
• Never use air fresheners, deodorants, aerosol spray cleaners or hair spray near your heater.
• Have your heater serviced regularly to ensure proper operation.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector and gas leak detector in your garage.

Choosing the right propane garage heater

To begin, your best option from a safety perspective is a vented propane heater, which vents combustion byproducts outside.

You should always choose a propane heater with the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label. Also, the following features are essential for your safety:

• a low oxygen sensor
• high-temperature coated safety guard on the front
• overheat protection with automatic shutoff

You should also make sure that you choose a product that is the right size for your garage. The Koppy’s Propane team can help you with this.

Come to Koppy’s Propane for your garage heater installation.

Are you interested in adding an efficient propane heater to your garage? The Koppy’s team is here to help!

We sell and install industry-leading products from Modine Unit Heaters and Detroit Radiant Heaters. These include convection and radiant models in a wide range of sizes and styles, including portable products. We’ll handle your garage heater installation and can provide repairs and service to ensure it’s running safely and effectively.

There’s no need for chattering teeth while you’re working in your garage. Reach out to us to learn about your garage heater options.