I Tested And Reviewed 8 Best Propane Heaters For Indoor Use (2023)

I recently purchased the Mr. Heater Corporation F299730, 30,000 BTU Vent Free Blue Flame Propane Heater, MHVFB30LPT2 and I must say, I am extremely satisfied with my decision. After reading some negative reviews, I realized that many of the issues mentioned could have been avoided if people had read the instructions properly before purchasing.

One important thing to note is that the elbow that comes with the heater should not be used at all. I repeat, do not attempt to use it. Instead, I highly recommend purchasing the Mr. Heater One-Stop Universal Gas-Appliance Hook-Up Kit. With this kit, I used everything except for the 1/2 male pipe to 1/2 female flare because it didn't fit onto the Camco Low Pressure Gas Regulator (57703) that I also purchased. In order to make it work, I had to go to the local home depot and buy a 1/2 female pipe to 3/8 male flare fitting. Additionally, you may need to purchase extra plumbers tape as the kit doesn't provide enough. Once you have these items, connecting the heater is a breeze.

One of the great advantages of this heater is that you don't have to wait for months for parts to arrive. You can easily find everything you need at your local home depot or plumbing supply store. It simply doesn't make sense to buy the product and then wait for parts when you can get them locally.

Now, let's address the issue of the heater cutting off while operating. This is completely normal and actually a great feature. The heater will automatically cycle between the blue flame, pilot, and back on in intervals. Some people mistakenly think this is a thermostat feature, but it's simply the heater's built-in mechanism. This feature not only saves propane but also eliminates the need for constant adjustment.

Another concern that has been raised is the smell associated with this heater. Personally, I have not experienced any odor and have not needed to open any windows while using it. I also have a Kidde fire alarm with a CO2 detector in the same room, and it has not been triggered. The comments about the smell making you sick or dizzy are misleading and unfounded.

Lastly, I want to address the blower fan. In my experience, it is not necessary at all, so I would advise against wasting your money on it.

I have been using this RV heater and I must say that it is a well-made product. It comes with features such as CO2 shutoff and tip feature, ensuring safety during use. The manufacturer claims that there is no need to vent it, but I prefer to have a small opening for ventilation.

One thing to note about this heater is that it uses infrared technology to heat objects, which in turn heats the air. This means that it may take a bit of time to feel the heat, especially if your doors are constantly opening and closing. However, once everything in the space is warmed up, you can turn it down to maintain the desired temperature.

In terms of fuel consumption, I found that it used about 7 gallons of propane every 5-6 weeks in my 22 ft. Travel trailer. This was sufficient to keep the space nice and toasty, even during nights as cold as 26 degrees. It is worth mentioning that my trailer did not have great insulation or dual pane windows, yet the heater still performed well.

The heater does not require a fan in open areas as it effectively permeates the solid construction and wood cabinets, spreading the heat evenly. However, some people may prefer a blue flame heater that only heats the air.

Installation-wise, it can be easily hung on a wall, providing flexibility in positioning. I personally shut it off as the morning sun comes up and turn it on about an hour before dusk. With this unit, I can comfortably sleep in light blankets.

I have also considered buying the next larger size, but I am satisfied with this smaller one. Surprisingly, I usually run it on Low as it provides sufficient heat for my poorly insulated house built in 1959. On high heat, it tends to get too hot, so I end up switching back to low.

Last winter, I had an electricity outage one evening when the temperature was 22 degrees Fahrenheit. I left the heater on low throughout the night and it managed to keep the living room at 60 degrees and the back bedroom at 58 degrees. It didn't consume much propane either. To keep track of my propane usage, I use a bathroom scale that I set to zero when the tank is empty. It's a simple and surprisingly accurate method.

I recently purchased this product and I must say, it is a nice addition to my garage. However, one thing to note is that you will need to purchase a hose and regulator separately if you plan on connecting it to a bottle.

In terms of performance, I was pleasantly surprised. Even at 10 degrees above zero, this heater was able to bring my two-stall insulated garage up to a comfortable 55 degrees in just about an hour. Setting it up was a breeze and with a little practice, I found it to be quite light and easy to maneuver.

One aspect that I particularly appreciate is how well it fits in with my Rustic decor. The black color adds a touch of elegance and blends seamlessly with the overall aesthetic. Although I haven't had the chance to use it extensively yet, I can confidently say that it puts out a significant amount of heat even on the low setting.

Moving on to its functionality, I am pleased to report that it works very well. It effectively heats up my 840 sq ft home, making it a cozy and comfortable space. Additionally, it is incredibly easy to set up and move around, making it a versatile option for different areas of my home.

When it comes to heating up my old garage shop, this heater does the job efficiently. It provides quick heat and within 15-20 minutes, it boosts the temperature to a comfortable level. After that, I can rely on my electric radiator to maintain the warmth.

One thing I appreciate about this heater is that it doesn't produce much odor at all. This is a huge plus, especially when using it for an extended period. In fact, I have found that one propane tank can last several weeks since I don't use it for long periods each day.

I have been using the Signature Series Dyna Glow heater for the past two years and it has been fantastic. Not only is it saving me over $300 a month, but it is also incredibly efficient. I have been able to turn off the electric baseboard in my entire ranch-style house and rely solely on this heater.

My wife loves this heater so much that she bought the 10,000/20,000 BTU version as a personal heater. It's like having her own little fireplace and she couldn't be happier with it.

I have also been using this heater in my workshop for almost four years now and it has never let me down. It provides ample heat to keep the space warm and comfortable.

One thing I was wondering about is whether I can add a thermostat to this unit or if I would need to upgrade the entire heater. It would be great to have the ability to control the temperature more precisely.

Last winter, we used this heater several times and it worked wonders in keeping our home warm. It truly lives up to its claims and provides reliable warmth.

I must say that this was a fabulous purchase. The heater does not require an optional fan and the heat output is truly amazing. We purchased three heaters to use throughout our 2,000+ square foot home and they heat the space incredibly well.

One minor suggestion I have is to include a thermostat with the heater. This would make it even more convenient to control the temperature and ensure optimal comfort.

The Dyna-Glo heater is exactly what we needed for our rental property. It was easy to install and took us about an hour to set up after reading the instructions. The only small issue we encountered was that the temperature knob doesn't turn until the pilot has been lit for about 3 minutes, which was not mentioned in the instructions. However, once the heater is on, it quickly warms up the room within minutes. On the high setting, it actually gets the apartment toasty warm, while the medium and low settings provide comfortable heat. There was a newness smell initially, but it dissipated after a couple of hours. Lighting the unit is super easy, and it works great. We are so satisfied with this heater that we will be purchasing another one for our garage.

We bought this Dyna-Glo heater to serve as the main heat source in our off-grid cabin. The installation process was straightforward, thanks to the descriptive diagram on the back of the box and in the manual. We decided to do the installation ourselves, and with a quick trip to the home improvement store for some plumbing parts, we had the heater assembled, installed, and fired up within just 30 minutes. We found that a single burner was sufficient for our 225 sq ft cabin, even on days when the temperature outside was 40 degrees below our desired indoor temperature. On colder days, we used an electric heater or turned on a second burner for extra warmth. We connected the heater to a 100lb propane tank and found that it needed refilling every 2 weeks with constant use of one or two burners. The third burner was rarely used unless it was extremely cold or we needed to heat up the cabin quickly. Overall, we highly recommend this heater for anyone in need of supplemental heat, garage heat, or heating a small area like a cabin or shed.

I am extremely satisfied with my purchase of the 18,000 BTU Dyna-Glo heater. It has three tiles that heat up, and I have a large bedroom with a large bathroom that it efficiently heats with just one tile. I previously owned a more expensive Cozy World heater, but it was not as efficient as this Dyna-Glo. I also purchased the fan separately and installed it myself. Some reviews complain about the fan, but it's not meant to blow your hair back. Its purpose is to prevent the wall from getting too hot and turning brown from the unit to the ceiling. I highly recommend purchasing the fan, as it has been a great addition. Although I use this heater for my bedroom and bathroom, I believe it would also be suitable for heating a nice-sized apartment or large living room. This has been the best purchase I've made!

After enduring a shocking power bill of $380 during a particularly cold winter in North Carolina, I made the decision to explore alternative heating options. The inefficiency of my previous electric heater had left me determined to find a more cost-effective solution. That's when I stumbled upon this 30,000 BTU heater.

Upon installing the piping and getting everything set up, I was ready to call the propane company to deliver a tank. Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to compare the price difference between propane and electric heat. As someone who teaches electricity, I took it upon myself to crunch the numbers.

With propane costing roughly $2.69 per gallon (although this may vary), and one gallon burning around 90,000 BTUs, running the heater on maximum (30,000 BTUs) would provide approximately 3 hours of use per gallon. At $2.69 per gallon, the cost per hour of running the heater at its highest setting would be around $0.89 (please note that this worst-case scenario isn't representative of my usual heating preferences).

In comparison, an electric heater producing the same amount of heat as this propane heater would consume around 8,792 watts of electric power, or 8.792 kilowatts. Considering my electricity rate of $0.16 per kilowatt-hour, the cost per hour for this amount of electric heat would be approximately $1.40 (excluding the additional power consumption of the blower motor).

To summarize, for 30,000 BTUs of heat, the propane option costs $0.89 per hour, while the electric option costs $1.40 per hour (not accounting for the blower motor). These calculations have only solidified my belief that this heater is a fantastic investment.

In fact, I've already witnessed its effectiveness firsthand. It produces an impressive amount of hot heat, as demonstrated by the photo I've included. Within seconds of being turned on, the temperature rises significantly. In fact, my meter couldn't even measure the heat accurately, as it maxed out at around 1,100 degrees within a minute. Needless to say, this heater generates an impressive amount of heat.

Additionally, upon further inspection, I discovered that my previous electric heat unit was actually a 41,000 BTU heater. This meant that the costs of running it were even higher than I had initially calculated. To put it into perspective, 41,000 BTUs translate to 12,016 watts or 12.016 kilowatts. At a rate of 16 cents per kilowatt-hour, running the electric heater would cost approximately $1.93 per hour, not including the fan's power consumption.

Considering that propane heat costs less than half the price of electric heat, it's clear to me that propane is the more affordable option. It may be true that propane comes with its own expenses, but for me, it is significantly cheaper than electric heat. In fact, it's a no-brainer.

Lastly, I must mention that this heater efficiently heats my entire house, which spans roughly 1000 square feet. This includes all the bedrooms and living spaces. I couldn't be more pleased with its performance.

The heat from this heater was satisfactory, although I found it necessary to place a small fan nearby to help circulate the heat, as this particular model does not come with a built-in fan option. I have used this heater on both a 300-gallon tank and a 20 lbs tank, and I found that it performed equally well on both. However, for the 20 lbs tank, I had to order a hose with a regulator that included a gauge separately. It would have been more convenient if the necessary elbow fitting for the heater was included in the box, as I had to purchase an additional Legines Brass Pipe Fitting to make it work.

Initially, I had some difficulty getting the heater to ignite, but I discovered that I needed to hold down the ignition button for approximately 60 seconds to allow the gas to reach the igniter. Reading the instructions thoroughly proved to be helpful in this regard. Once the heater was up and running, it effectively heated my 280 sqft insulated cabin, keeping it warm and cozy.

If I were to make the purchase again, I would opt for a larger heater that comes with a fan. The heat tends to rise, so having a fan to circulate the hot air would be beneficial. However, for my intermittent use, this heater serves its purpose well. It is worth noting that if I were to use it more frequently, I would likely invest in a larger model.

On a separate note, I own three of these heaters with different BTU ratings – 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000. I am satisfied with their performance, but I have encountered some issues with the companies selling these heaters. It is important to mention that the heaters themselves work very well. I highly recommend purchasing the fan with the thermostat, as it is compatible with the 20,000 and 30,000 BTU models. I personally use the 20,000 BTU heater in my 18-foot cargo trailer, which houses my dirt bikes and a couch for overnight stays. The fan is designed to draw fresh air from the outside, preventing the activation of the low oxygen sensor.

Lastly, I am absolutely in love with the small fireplace I purchased for my RV. Previously, I was using a radiator-style plug-in heater, which barely provided enough warmth for my RV. However, this little fireplace has been a game-changer. It perfectly suits my needs and I never have to use the high setting to keep warm. It is worth mentioning that I did find a cheaper alternative for the same product, but unfortunately, it could not be delivered to Oregon or California, so I ended up purchasing this one instead.

I recently purchased this heater and have been using it for a few days now. Overall, I am quite satisfied with its performance and functionality. The heater is equipped with three adjoining burners, each rated at 6000 BTU, which allows it to kick out plenty of heat. The burners can be controlled individually, with low setting activating the center burner, medium setting activating the left and center burners together, and high setting activating all three burners simultaneously.

One of the standout features of this heater is its radiant heat. The burners have ceramic elements with small holes that allow the gas to flow through and heat the ceramic to a bright orange color. This results in the emission of radiant infrared heat rays, which feel great, especially when coming in from the cold and wanting to warm your hands.

While some reviewers have reported difficulty keeping the "pilot" lit, it is important to note that the pilot actually serves as an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). This sensor is designed to detect if the oxygen levels in the room fall below a safe level and automatically shuts off the flame, thereby ensuring safety. However, it is worth mentioning that the heater is not intended for outdoor use as any breeze can blow out the exposed pilot.

The user manual describes this heater as a "construction heater," and there is a disclaimer stating that it is not suitable for residential use. From a safety perspective, there are a couple of reasons why this may be the case. Firstly, the heater is unvented, which means that while it burns cleanly initially, over time, partially clogged air inlets on the burners could result in the release of carbon monoxide. To mitigate this risk, it is recommended to use the heater indoors with a carbon monoxide alarm in the room to monitor it.

Secondly, the heater runs on a common 20 lb. propane bottle, typically used for gas BBQ grills. These tanks are not considered safe for indoor use or storage. While people do use them in residences, it is crucial to ensure that all gas fittings are tight and the flex hose is in good condition to prevent propane leaks that could lead to fire or explosions. The manual advises turning off the gas at the tank valve whenever the heater is not in use to minimize the risk of leaks.

Despite these safety concerns, the heater does incorporate multiple safety features. It has a tip-over sensor that immediately shuts off the heater if it is bumped or knocked over during operation. Additionally, the propane regulator, which attaches to the propane tank, has a built-in tip-over regulator. It is important to connect the regulator to the tank with the flatter side facing up to ensure proper functioning.

Over time, the heater may accumulate dust, cobwebs, or other debris that can partially block the air inlets of the burners and the pilot ODS. The manual provides instructions on how to clean these components using a vacuum cleaner or compressed air. The ODS is designed to prevent the heater from burning in a closed room until it has used up enough oxygen to start producing carbon monoxide. Adequate ventilation is necessary when using the heater, as stated in the manual.

One safety feature worth mentioning is the chrome reflector panel that extends forward from the bottom of the burners. It helps prevent the floor directly in front of the heater from getting too hot. However, it is important to exercise caution and avoid placing anything flammable close to the sides of the heater, as there are no reflectors to limit the radiant heat in those areas.

The wheels on the heater make it easy to move around, and the locking brakes ensure stability on uneven floors and prevent accidental movement. Personally, I find this heater to be a great supplemental or backup option for heating my unheated workroom, which is approximately 500 sq. ft. It heats the room quickly when set to high and maintains the temperature when set to low.