Space Conditioning
Propane space heaters can be mounted on walls or suspended overhead, and portable units are available, too. Practical, economical, and safe, propane space heaters offer have many advantages when it comes to keeping farm buildings warm:
- Propane space heaters are available in a wide range of heating capacities.
- They're more energy efficient than central heating because they deliver heat only when and where needed.
- They generally require less maintenance and have longer operating lives than electrical heating systems.
- On a Btu basis, they cost 15-25 percent less than electrical systems.
There are three basic types of propane unit space heaters:
- Convection heaters
- Forced-air heaters
- Infrared or radiant heaters
Convection Space Heaters
Convection heaters produce warm air that is circulated to cooler areas by means of natural air convection or with assistance from a fan. These portable units are very useful for heating large open spaces such as outbuildings and barns.
Convection Space Heater
Source: National Riverside Co,. a division of Scheu Products Company, Inc.
Convection heaters appropriate for farm use typically include the following features:
- Heat output from 62,500-187,000 Btu/hr.
- Mounting height of 8 to 35 feet above the floor.
- Average lifespan of about 18 years.
- Exceed minimum thermal efficiency standards (74 percent at minimum rated capacity; 78 percent at maximum rated capacity) recommended by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-1989).
Propane Convection Heaters*
Typical Characteristics and Prices
Heat Output
(Btu/hr) |
Recommended Heating Space
(cu ft) |
Propane Requirements |
Fuel Use
(lbs/hr) |
Price** |
15,000-20,000-25,000
(3 settings) |
2,000-4,000 |
20-lb cylinder |
0.7 - 1.16 |
$89 |
30,000-80,000
(adjustable setting) |
5,000-15,000 |
20-lb cylinder |
1.4 - 3.7 |
$110 |
75,000-200,000
(adjustable setting) |
14,000-39,000 |
One or more 100-lb
cylinders |
3.5 - 9.3 |
$115 |
Source: http://www.heatershop.com/index.html (2002).
* Includes piezoelectric pilot light igniter. No electrical connection required.
** Excludes shipping.
Forced-Air Space Heaters
Propane forced-air heaters are equipped with fans that blow warm air from a burner over a heat exchanger into the space to be warmed. These heaters are ideal for small- to medium-sized work areas (such as equipment repair workshops), and multiple units can be combined to heat farm and ranch buildings of various dimensions. Typical features include the following:
- Powder coated finish casings
- Push-button electronic ignitions
- High-velocity fans
- Automatic shut-off capabilities
- Built-in thermostats
Propane Forced-Air Heaters*
Typical Characteristics and Prices
Heat Output
(Btu/hr) |
Recommended Heating Space
(cu ft) |
Propane Requirements |
Fuel Use
(lbs/hr) |
Price** |
| 35,000 |
6,000 |
20-lb tank |
1.6 |
$119 |
| 45,000 |
4,000-8,000 |
20-lb tank |
1.2 - 2.1 |
$179 |
50,000-85,000
(adjustable setting) |
Up to 16,000 |
20-lb tank
cylinders |
2.3 - 3.9 |
$189 |
75,000-125,000
(adjustable setting) |
Up to 24,000 |
40-lb tank or larger |
3.5 - 5.8 |
$199 |
| 80,000 |
Up to 15,000 |
40-lb tank |
3.7 |
$315 |
150,000
(with thermostat) |
Up to 29,000 |
One or more
100-lb cylinders |
7.0 |
$339 |
175,000 - 350,000
(with thermostat; adjustable setting) |
Up to 69,000 |
Two or more
100-lb cylinders |
8.0 - 16.0 |
$549 |
Source: http://www.heatershop.com/index.html.
* Includes the following standard features: Continuous electronic ignition; high output fan; automatic propane shut off if heater is unplugged. AGA and CGA Certified.
** Excludes shipping.
Infrared or Radiant Space Heaters
Radiant heaters provide quiet, energy-efficient heating through radiant heat transfer. Such heaters are generally mounted overhead with the infrared energy directed at floor level. Although some convection heat is lost to the ceiling, these heaters are extremely energy efficient. Humans and animals directly absorb energy from the heater, so the desired level of comfort can be achieved without excessively warming the surrounding air.
Propane radiant heaters offer several important benefits:
- Efficiency can be as high as 85-90 percent because a greater portion of the heat energy is converted into infrared heat.
- Combustion is uniform, complete and clean across the entire surface of the heater.
- Negligible amounts of nitrous oxides (NOx) are emitted.
- No fans or blowers are required, resulting in quiet operation and low installation costs.
- No electricity is needed, resulting in lower operating costs.
There are two basic types of propane radiant heaters:
- Tube or low-intensity heater: In a tube heater, a propane-fueled burner fires hot air into hollow steel emitter tubes. As the hot combustion gases pass through them, these tubes radiate infrared energy. Tube lengths generally range from 20 to 60 feet and can be installed in U- or L-tube configurations.
- Luminous or high-intensity heater: In a luminous heater, propane-fueled flames are passed through ports in porous ceramic tiles. Surface combustion on the tiles produces infrared energy.
Luminous heaters incorporate more technological advances and offer significantly better efficiency than tube heaters, but both types offer the same level of comfort if they are correctly installed and appropriately used.
Propane Radiant Heaters*
Typical Characteristics and Prices
Heat Output
(Btu/hr) |
Propane Requirements |
Fuel Use
(lbs/hr) |
Price** |
| 11,000 |
20-lb cylinder |
0.5 |
$67 |
| 22,000 |
20-lb cylinder |
1.0 |
$97 |
| 33,000 |
20-lb cylinder |
1.5 |
$159 |
| 44,000 |
40-lb cylinder |
2.2 |
$195 |
| 100,000 |
100-lb cylinder |
4.6 |
$225 |
Source: http://www.heatershop.com/index.html.
* Includes piezoelectric pilot light igniter, brackets for mounting to propane tank rim, hose and WC
regulator. No electrical connection required. AGA & CGA Certified.
** Excludes shipping
