Myth #1: Natural gas heaters are only safe when properly ventilated.
Myth #1: Natural gas heaters are only safe when properly ventilated.
Fact: Proper ventilation is important, but it’s not the only way to ensure safe operation.
Carbon monoxide is a leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America. The colorless and odorless gas can be produced when natural gas heaters are used without proper ventilation. Other gases—including nitrogen dioxide, which can irritate your lungs when inhaled—can also be produced in addition to carbon monoxide.
If you’re worried about carbon monoxide buildup in your home, remember that carbon monoxide can also be produced by other appliances burning fuel, such as a furnace or a boiler, as well as fireplaces and gas stoves. A CO alarm can alert you if any of these appliances start leaking CO into the air in your home, allowing you to take action before dangerous levels accumulate.
Myth #2: Carbon monoxide detectors are not necessary if you have a natural gas heater.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be produced by your natural gas heater if it’s not kept clean or properly maintained. This gas can cause serious health problems and even death in some cases. To keep yourself safe, you’ll want to install a CO2 detector in your home. If the device detects levels of CO2 that are too high, it will begin to emit an audible alarm. When this happens, you should immediately evacuate the building and call 911.
Some people don’t feel the need to install carbon monoxide detectors because they feel that modern appliances are safe enough not to worry. However, carbon monoxide leaks have been known to happen when people least expect them, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Myth #3: Combustion is always the result of a chemical reaction.
As you’ve probably guessed, there are a number of misconceptions that surround the concept of combustion. In particular, many people assume that all combustion reactions are chemical reactions. This just isn’t true! Combustion is a type of chemical reaction, but not all chemical reactions involve combustion.
This is an important distinction to make when talking about natural gas heaters and other similar products because the term “combustion” often brings to mind the phrase “chemical reaction.” As we’ve previously observed in this blog, combustion reactions come with a host of potential drawbacks and complications—which may lead some people to fear or distrust natural gas heaters even though they’re perfectly safe.
Now that we’ve cleared up this misconception, let’s go over some things you can do if your catalytic heater fails on you unexpectedly (we’ll be referring specifically to cat heaters here since they tend to last longer than blue flame heaters).
Myth #4: Combustion always requires oxygen to occur.
Myth #4: Combustion always requires oxygen to occur.
This is a tricky one, but the answer is no. Combustion can occur with or without oxygen present. For instance, some candles are capable of burning in an environment that isn’t oxygen rich (like underwater), while other types of candles will burn only in an environment where there’s lots of oxygen (like the average home). A candle that burns underwater and a candle that burns with air uses different types of fuel, which are mixed together depending on whether more or less oxygen is needed for combustion to occur. The same principle holds true for natural gas heaters: they use a different chemical reaction to generate energy when more or less oxygen is available in their environment.
Myth #5: Natural gas heaters can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Myth #5: Natural Gas Heaters can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
The truth:
Combustion byproducts, including carbon monoxide, are harmless when properly vented to the outdoors. While there is a possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning if the heater is damaged or improperly installed, it is rare and much less likely than poisoning from other heat sources and appliances in your home. Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning can be prevented through proper maintenance of the heater and ensuring that you have good ventilation for your heater’s combustion air. Your installer should ensure that all heating appliances are installed correctly and that proper venting exists for each appliance.
Combustion is the result of an exothermic reaction between two or more elements that are exposed to oxygen, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if your heater isn’t properly ventilated.
You’ve come to us because you want to learn about how natural gas heaters work, and we’re happy to tell you.
Unfortunately, misinformation is everywhere on the internet. To make sure that you’re getting a clear picture of how things work, we’ll dispel five common myths in this section.
Myth #1: Combustion is an endothermic reaction between two or more elements that are exposed to oxygen, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if your heater isn’t properly ventilated.
The truth: Combustion is the result of an exothermic reaction between two or more elements that are exposed to oxygen, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if your heater isn’t properly ventilated.Winter is on its way and so are the myths about natural gas heaters. Here, we dispel five common myths.
Myth #1: Natural gas heaters can’t be opened windows or they’ll explode.
False! While natural gas heaters do need to be vented outside, they can absolutely be in a room with an open window. If you’re worried about your heater exploding, you might be thinking of oil-based heaters that certainly should not be in a room with an open window. Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel that needs oxygen to work properly—so it’s kind of the opposite of a bomb.
Myth #2: Natural gas heaters are dirty for the environment.
Also false! Natural gas is one of the cleanest-burning fuels you can use to power a heater, which is why it’s so popular as an option for homeowners who want to save energy and money while reducing their impact on the planet. In fact, when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, natural gas is almost 50% cleaner than oil and 30% cleaner than coal when used for home heating purposes. Natural gas has also been shown to have lower emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides than other fossil fuels.
Myth #3: You
The cold weather is here! And as the temperatures dip, it’s easy to be tempted by any potential source of warmth.
But with all the misinformation out there about natural gas heaters and combustion, you may not be able to trust your instincts when it comes to keeping yourself warm this winter.
Here are 5 common myths about natural gas heaters that we’re going to bust:
1) Natural gas heaters are dangerous.
This one is a little tricky, because yes, natural gas heaters can be dangerous—but only if you don’t use them correctly or let them get old and worn out. Natural gas heaters should be installed and serviced by a professional every year or two. If you have an older unit, it might leak carbon monoxide or other harmful gasses into your home. A newer unit will be more energy-efficient, but most importantly: safer.
2) You can’t use a natural gas heater in an enclosed space without ventilation.
Most natural gas heaters come with some kind of ventilation system that allows harmful gasses to escape, meaning they can safely be used in any room of your house (as long as you follow manufacturer instructions).
3) You’ll save money on your heating bill if you use
The winter season can bring a lot of joy—crisp, chilly weather, cozy nights by the fire, and even a little boost for your bank account if you’ve got an energy-efficient natural gas heater. But it can also bring out some wild myths about natural gas heaters. We’re here to dispel those myths and set the record straight:
Myth #1: Natural gas heaters are bad for my health.
Truth: Natural gas heaters are actually GOOD for your health. In fact, they’re so safe that you could eat breakfast in the same room as one and be just fine. You know why? Because their combustion is nearly complete—that means that when you turn on a natural gas heater, there’s barely any byproduct left over except water vapor and carbon dioxide, which we all breathe out anyway.
Myth #2: I should never leave my house when using a natural gas heater.
Truth: Natural gas heaters are incredibly safe and efficient! As long as they’re installed properly and maintained regularly (which we’ll talk about in Myth #3), they’re just as safe as any other appliance in your home. So don’t worry! While you shouldn’t leave the house with your stove on or anything like that,
If you’re in the market for a new heating solution, chances are that natural gas heaters and combustion have crossed your mind. Natural gas stoves, dryers, and furnaces are popular among homeowners looking to cut costs and reduce their environmental impact. They’re also extremely energy efficient, with 95 percent of the fuel being converted into usable heat.
But while they may be the right move for you, there are some misconceptions about how these heaters work and what they can do that could keep you from making the switch. Here are just five of them:
MYTH 1: “Natural gas is not safe because it’s flammable.”
Truth: Natural gas is only flammable when mixed with air (or oxygen) in between 5-15 percent concentration. When leaks occur (which is rare), the fumes are lighter than air and rise away from people and ignition sources. And, as an added bonus, natural gas is also non-toxic and non-poisonous.
MYTH 2: “You need an electric starter on a natural gas heater.”
Truth: If you have electricity in your home, you don’t need an electric starter because natural gas ignitors work without electricity. However, if you have a power outage,
Winter is here, which means cold mornings and nights. What’s the best way to stay warm? There are tons of ways to stay cozy when the weather gets chilly, but many people love the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace or natural gas heater.
Before you buy, though, there are some things you need to know about how these heaters work and how to use them safely. The myths surrounding natural gas heating are prevalent this time of year, so we’re here to dispel them once and for all.
Myth #1: Natural Gas Heaters Are Dangerous
Natural gas heaters have a bad rap for being dangerous. In fact, wood-burning fireplaces face far more danger than their gas counterparts. Natural gas is actually much safer than wood because it burns cleaner and doesn’t produce toxic fumes like smoke or creosote buildup. Another benefit of natural gas is that you can refill your tanks at any time, as opposed to having to go out in the cold several times a day to gather firewood. All in all, natural gas heaters are not dangerous if you follow instructions and don’t put combustible items around the heater when it’s operational.
Myth #2: Natural Gas Heaters Can’t Provide Enough Heat for Your Home
Many
Winter is a great time to curl up in front of a crackling fire with a good book. But have you ever wondered what makes your fireplace so warm and cozy?
The answer is natural gas. Natural gas is a fossil fuel, meaning it was formed by the decomposition of plants and animals over millions of years. Natural gas doesn’t burn well on its own, so we add oxygen to cause a chemical reaction: combustion. As the gas burns, it gives off heat energy—that’s what warms your face when you sit too close to the fire!
And yet, there are plenty of myths about how natural gas heaters work. Let’s get some facts straight so you can enjoy your fireplace responsibly this winter.
1. “Natural gas is bad for the environment.”
2. “Natural gas heaters are unhealthy”
3. “Natural gas heaters are dangerous”
4. “Natural gas heaters are expensive”
5. “Gas heaters don’t work well in the winter”