moblies

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone uses a portable gas heater. Just looking for something to throw out a bit of heat. Living room is open plan so the aircon heat just goes up the stairs.

Get a fair amount of ventilation through the windows and front door so that shouldn't be a problem.

Not there much during the winter but can't stand being cold so just wondering how effective they are

Pulaski

I used one in Britain, they're quite effective, but they make the air damp - water vapour is one of the combustion products. In an open plan house the heat will still go upstairs.

If you can get a ceiling fan (I am not sure if they are "a thing" in Spain), having it set to draw air upwards in the centre of the room will push warm air near the ceiling downwards at the edges of the room and make the room feel warmer without feeling drafty. (A downward blowing ceiling fan has the same effect, but causes a draft, which is great for cooling in the summer).

MikeJ

Not sure why but our fan works exactly the opposite way, maybe it's our room layout but we have it pushing the air downwards in the colder months so it moves the warm air from the aircon - the aircon vents are near the top of the wall - gently down into the room. This Spring is the first we have used the fan for warming and were amazed at the difference it makes, the room gets quite toastie after just a few minutes.

Pulaski

If you can switch the direction (to blow upwards) you will find the effect is identify (warm air comes down) except you don't get the draft because the fan isn't blowing towards you. In the summer of course you want the cooling breeze.

snikpoh

Yes, they are extremely effective.

If you have plenty of ventilation, then they are a good option.

Maybe a good idea to buy a Carbon Monoxide detector as well.

moblies

Thanks, will give one a go. And will get a carbon monoxide detector

Longlegpete

We have a couple and they are very good for fast cheap heat, keep the room ventilated and you won't have any problems, any heater made in the last 12 years or so should have a cut out that takes effect when carbon monoxide level is getting higher than is recommended, it cuts the gas and the fire goes out, this is well below the levels that would cause a problem.

ononno

A catalytic one is very effective and economical too,and in a well ventilated area carbon monoxide or condensation are not a problem.

moblies

Thanks All

I noticed Leroy Merlin have a couple that are Blue Flame, supposed to be more efficient. perhaps worth a try.

do they need servicing?

I think for the amount of time we would use one as not there much in the winter would probably be ideal for us.

Longlegpete

Not heard of "blue flame " type, ours is the catalytic type and they work well , unless its dark or low light you only see the pilot so it doesn't glow light the normal fire type.

Dont need servicing as such, you should replace the hose every 5 years and you are supposed to have gas appliances checked every 5 years and keep the paperwork you are given, its best to contact a reputable company to do this, the price's are generally much lower than the ripoff knock at the door outfits

If you have a contract with Repsol or Cepsa so got your gas bottle's the official way then they will be the one's to contact.

moblies

Thanks for that, I tend to just buy the bottles from the Repsol Petrol station

Longlegpete

That's what we do, we inherited a few bottles with our house and have since got some more from the local markets.

The only reason i was saying official suppler is you are surposed to have a contract to have the bottles in the first place so I'm not sure of the response from the two main suppliers if you ask them for a safety check but you have no contract, if you do then it's the place to go if you want a check.

moblies

Ok Thanks

we did have a contract for the bottle as it came from Repsol service station, have no idea where it is now after 10 years.

billgates

We have one of those catalytic heaters as well but don't like to use it because of the amount of flaring it does. No idea why it does this. When first switched on it briefly flares upwards over the whole of the front of the heater, then settles down for a while before repeatedly flaring again. Sometimes you can see the flare reaching up over the top of the heater.

Quite worrying really so we don't use it any more.

bobd22

If flaring like you say then I would have the heater checked out. It is normal for that initial flare in fact that indicates that the heater has lit properly and you can release holding the control. The catalytic heaters are the ones mainly sold now although you can still buy the older non catalytic ones. The non catalytic heaters actually throw out more heat if you check the specs but for safety I would always go for the newer catalytic type. The blue flame heaters mentioned I believe are simply the newer type where you just see the black panel and pilot light not the clay brick heating elements.