Propane Heater Information

[danrclem]

I have a woodstove that I'll never take down but since I'm getting older, I'm wanting to get something with less work involved. I also have a propane furnace that hasn't been used in a long time but it's very low efficiency and it was installed in 1987. I thought about having a new furnace installed but I would imagine the price of that would be very costly. I thought about a pellet stove, but it seems like they can have a lot of maintenance issues, and I want something very simple for my wife to operate just in case something ever happens to me. I am seriously considering buying a gas heater. I'd like to have one of the fancy cast iron heaters, but it looks like they can be pricey.

Maybe someone can point me to a link where I can do some reading about the different kinds of gas heaters and their positives and negatives. Can they be vented through a basement wall with only concrete, brick and have the venting end just outside the concrete wall or do they have to go vertical?

I found this used Empire RH-65B-6 for $650 and it says it's like new condition, but I've heard that before. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It depends on the unit what kind of chimney it needs. Propane heaters run the whole range of ventless, to direct vent just stabbed through the wall, to needing a chimney.

I look at propane like any other source of energy. It sure is convenient. That convenience comes with a cost. I can 100% see where it’d be a good option for my wife to heat with. Just her not having to worry about cleaning the chimney would make it worth it to me.