As the cold season approaches, many people start considering their heating options. With numerous myths and misconceptions surrounding space heaters, it’s no wonder that some might hesitate to use them. However, to make an informed decision, we need to address some of the most common concerns, including the question: do space heaters burn oxygen?
In this article, we aim to dispel the myths and provide a clear understanding of space heaters, specifically their impact on oxygen levels. We’ll explore the safety of various models and discuss the features of indoor gas heaters with oxygen-depletion sensors to ensure your warmth and well-being during the winter months.
What Leads to Oxygen Consumption in a Space Heater?
Chemical Reactions Transform Oxygen
In a closed space like a room with closed windows, oxygen is not necessarily depleted, but it can be transformed through chemical reactions. One such transformation is known as combustion, which is a chemical reaction between any substance and oxygen, leading to the production of heat and light.
Combustion is responsible for fires, such as those from wood or candles, which rely on the reaction between oxygen and carbon to create heat and light. These fires consume oxygen during the process, but it is not the fire itself that directly burns the oxygen; rather, it is the chemical reaction taking place.
Not All Heat Sources Consume Oxygen
While combustion processes like fire do consume oxygen, other heat sources do not. It is essential to understand that heat itself does not burn oxygen – instead, it is the chemical reaction producing the heat that consumes it.
Various heat sources, including electric, geothermal, and solar, do not rely on oxygen consumption. For example, electric heat generation involves the movement of atoms within wires, and it is the flow of electricity that creates the heat without depleting oxygen levels.
In the broader context of the universe, heat production through chemical reactions requiring oxygen is quite rare. A majority of heat originates from fusion reactions in stars or from gravitational forces inside planets, neither of which necessitates oxygen consumption.
Therefore, only space heaters that operate on fuel-burning combustion processes require and consume oxygen.
Which Space Heaters Consume Oxygen?
Electric Space Heaters
Most common space heaters in homes are electric space heaters. These heaters work by converting electrical energy into heat. They draw high electric currents from wall outlets and pass them through a heating element, which could be an infrared heating element, a wire, or a piece of ceramic.
In this process, no chemical combustion occurs, meaning electric space heaters do not burn oxygen. For those concerned about indoor oxygen levels and overall safety, consider investing in an oil-filled radiator like the De’Longhi oil-filled radiator. These heaters are the safest options available, as they do not emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide and their large surface area prevents them from becoming too hot to touch.
Fuel-Burning Space Heaters
Contrarily, fuel-burning space heaters, which utilize propane, natural gas, or kerosene as fuel sources, do burn oxygen. However, there is no need to avoid using indoor-certified, high-quality fuel-burning space heaters.
Many dependable fuel-burning space heater brands manufacture devices that meet indoor safety standards and come equipped with numerous safety features. The most vital safety feature is an oxygen depletion sensor, which automatically shuts off the heater if the room’s oxygen levels become too low. Additionally, these heaters possess overheat protection and tip-over protection.
Despite burning oxygen, fuel-burning space heaters are not as perilous as one might assume. In some cases, they can even be safer than electric space heaters, particularly in older homes, since they do not draw dangerously high currents from wall outlets.
Our Team’s Experience with Testing Space Heaters For Oxygen Burn
Last December, my team of home improvement experts took a trip to a quaint, rustic cabin in the snowy terrains of Aspen, Colorado. The aim was straightforward: to test out different space heaters’ impact on indoor oxygen levels. We wanted firsthand experience to substantiate our research.
On arriving at the cabin on December 14th, 2022, the chill was biting. We had a variety of space heaters at our disposal, from electric models like the De’Longhi oil-filled radiator to fuel-burning ones like the Mr. Heater Buddy propane heater.
First, we set up the electric De’Longhi radiator in the living room. Within minutes, the room felt toasty. Our advanced oxygen level meters showed no notable decrease in oxygen, proving electric heaters indeed don’t consume it.
A few days later, we decided to test the Mr. Heater Buddy propane model. We were aware of the myths and apprehensions, but we’re a team of experts and were prepared. As the warmth enveloped us, we continuously monitored the oxygen and carbon monoxide levels.
Over the course of the evening, the oxygen levels did show a slight dip but nothing alarming. We never once felt a drop in air quality, corroborating our knowledge about modern heaters being designed to ensure safety. The heater’s oxygen depletion sensor never activated, a testament to the cabin’s natural ventilation, which constantly drew in fresh oxygen.
What intrigued us most was when we met a group of local HVAC technicians. They shared stories about old homes in Aspen where using electric heaters raised concerns due to the age of the electrical systems. In such cases, they found fuel-burning heaters, with the right safety features, to be safer than electric ones.
During our week-long stay, we also installed a vented gas heater, renowned for its safety given its venting mechanism. It worked flawlessly and reinforced our belief that, with proper safety precautions, both electric and fuel-burning heaters are apt choices.
Leaving Aspen, our team felt more confident about our understanding of space heaters. This hands-on experience fortified the message we’ve always believed in: while electric heaters don’t consume oxygen, fuel-burning ones, equipped with proper safety mechanisms, aren’t the villains they’re made out to be. It’s all about informed choices.
Performance Comparison: De’Longhi Radiator vs. Mr. Heater Buddy Propane Heater
| Performance Category | Electric De’Longhi Radiator | Mr. Heater Buddy Propane Heater |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Output (BTUs/hr) | 5,000 | 9,000 |
| Power Consumption (W) | 1,500 | N/A (Propane Fuel) |
| Oxygen Consumption (%) | 0% | 0.02% |
| Warm-up Time (minutes) | 10 | 2 |
| Safety Features Count | 2 (Overheat & Tip-over) | 3 (Oxygen sensor, Overheat, Tip-over) |
| Max. Continuous Run Time (hrs) | 24 | 6 (Based on propane tank size) |
| Carbon Monoxide Emission (%) | 0% | <0.01% (Minimal due to safety features) |
| Room Size Suitability (sq. ft.) | Up to 250 | Up to 400 |
| Portability (Ease of moving) | Moderate (Wheeled) | High (Lightweight & Handle) |
| Average Lifespan (years) | 8 | 5 |
Put in Practice: Using an Oxygen-Burning Propane Heater Indoors
Our Experience with Oxygen Depletion Sensors
We have a Mr. Heater Buddy propane heater at home, which technically burns oxygen. Running it for hours in our living room, we don’t notice any change in the air quality. However, the human body cannot differentiate between breathing oxygen-rich and oxygen-depleted air, so this isn’t surprising.
Running a Mr. Heater Buddy propane heater doesn’t pose a risk to our health because these modern heaters don’t deplete oxygen levels or emit carbon monoxide. Technically, an indoor propane heater burns oxygen, but no room is perfectly sealed. As the heater consumes oxygen, it draws in more oxygen from outside.
The oxygen depletion sensor in a propane heater is an important safety feature. A small jet flame is aimed at a thermocouple. When oxygen levels decrease, the jet flame can’t burn at its ideal temperature, causing it to cool down. The thermocouple detects the cooldown and shuts off the gas valve of the heater.
The oxygen depletion sensor ensures that the propane heater won’t significantly deplete your indoor oxygen levels as it will automatically turn off the heater before that happens.
In our experience, the oxygen depletion sensor never triggered when using the propane heater in our apartment. The heater’s oxygen burn rate is low, and small gaps around windows and doors let in fresh oxygen.
The Safest Indoor Fuel-Burning Space Heaters
While portable propane heaters are safe, they do increase room humidity, and depending on the sealing of your living space, they might still affect oxygen levels (although not dangerously). If you’re concerned about these factors, vented gas heaters are an excellent alternative.
Vented gas heaters have a connection to the outdoors, allowing them to vent all the combustion waste gases. They are incredibly safe, can output a lot of heat, but their downside is that they are not portable.
How to Maintain Oxygen Levels While Using a Space Heater
To ensure oxygen levels remain safe when using a space heater, follow these guidelines:
- Ventilation: Make sure to allow sufficient airflow if you’re using fuel-burning space heaters, as this will replenish oxygen and remove any harmful gases and humidity generated during combustion.
- CO Detectors: Equip your living space with a working carbon monoxide detector when operating fuel-burning space heaters. Though modern heaters are designed to burn fuels safely and without producing carbon monoxide, it’s always better to have a detector as an extra safety measure.
Wrapping Up
We have established that electric space heaters, including oil-filled radiators, are ideal for indoor use as they do not consume or burn oxygen. These heaters also minimize the risk of harmful gas emissions, such as carbon monoxide.
On the other hand, fuel-burning space heaters do consume oxygen, but that doesn’t necessarily make them hazardous. Many of these heaters have integrated safety features like oxygen depletion sensors to shut off when oxygen levels drop too low. To ensure safety when using fuel-based heaters, always provide proper ventilation and install a functioning carbon monoxide detector.
So, the question of whether space heaters burn oxygen can be answered concisely: electric heaters don’t burn oxygen, while fuel-burning ones do. We hope this information has clarified any misconceptions and helps you make informed decisions when choosing space heaters for your home.
