Can You Use a Propane Heater Indoors? Can You Use It in The Garage?

Propane heaters are popular for a number of reasons; they’re efficient, they’re reliable (don’t necessarily require electricity), and they’re portable.

As great as they are, there’s often a lot of conversation around how and where they can be used and what safety measures need to be put in place. One major question that comes up is, can you use a propane heater indoors? Or are they simply made for outdoor use?

The simple answer is: Yes, you can use propane heaters indoors, but only those designed for indoor use.

There are propane heaters designed for indoor use and others meant for outdoors. So, if you need to use a propane heater indoors, be sure it is a unit designed for the purpose. We’ll provide further answers to this question as we go on.

Top 3 Propane Heaters for Indoors

1	Mr. Heater Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater	Best Features
2	AKUSAKO Propane Camping Heater Indoor Propane Heater	Value for Money
3	Mr. Heater Little Buddy 3800-BTU Indoor Safe Propane Heater	Best Price

Do You Need Ventilation When Using a Propane Heater?

It is even more dangerous because carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, but with propane you can tell when the room is contaminated.

Also, ventilation provides the extra oxygen the heater needs to function. Without ventilation, a propane heater will share the same energy you use in the room, and this can lead to oxygen depletion- a situation that leads to asphyxiation.

A propane heater also needs oxygen to breathe and may use up all the oxygen in the room without ventilation.

If you have a propane heater running in your room, you may need to open the window to an extent to allow some air in, while allowing gaseous waste out.

The tricky thing about ventilation is the draft. You must be careful to prevent the loss of heat in your move to get in oxygen and let out carbon. Otherwise, you’ll be defeating the purpose of having a propane heater in your home, which is efficient heating.

Is Propane Heater Safe to Use Indoors?

It is safe to use propane heaters indoors if the heater is designed for indoor use and if it has some features that make it safe for indoor use. These features include;

1. Oxygen Depletion Sensor

Known as the ODS, this feature alerts you when the oxygen level in the room drops below useful levels and shuts off the unit as well to prevent further use of oxygen. Without this feature, asphyxiation may occur.

2. Carbon Monoxide Detector

This is another very important feature a propane heater should have before considering using it indoors. A carbon monoxide detector lets you know when the unit has released dangerous levels of carbon in the air, so you can take some action.

3. Tip-Over Protection

This is also very important because a tip-over can lead to dangerous accidents that can cause severe damage. With this feature, the unit shuts down automatically when tipped over.

4. Excess Pressure Shut-off

This does exactly what it says; shuts down the unit when there’s too much pressure.

Can You Use a Propane Heater in The Garage?

Yes, you can. Both indoors and outdoor propane heaters can be used in a garage as long as there’s proper ventilation. You should leave the garage door open to allow the CO to escape out of the garage while leaving the heat inside.

But, a garage is also a place where much other stuff is kept, especially tools and other household items for maintenance, cleaning, gardening, and so on. Be sure that the propane heater is kept in a safe spot, away from harmful or flammable items.

You should be careful about what surrounds the heater. Keep it away from flammable objects like garden chemicals, gasoline, lawn clippings, or even other propane tanks.

Make sure it is not close to anything that can make contact and cause a spark which would lead to an explosion. Also, try not to keep it in a place where the temperature is above 30° Celsius, as heat may also put you and your garage at risk of fire.

Top 3 Best Propane Heaters for Indoors

1. Mr. Heater Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater

Best Features

If you thought the exterior is the only thing amazing about this appliance, wait until you test its performance. This portable heater has a heating capacity of between 4,000 and 9,000 BTU.

It is suitable for indoor use and can be placed on the floor for convenient radiation. Also, the unit has a tip-over safety switch, oxygen depletion sensor and clean-burning to reduce carbon monoxide emission.

What’s more, you can leave the window slightly open when you use the unit to exhaust CO out of the house and allow oxygen in.

Specifications

• Dimensions at 7.7 x 13.4 x 15 inches.
• Weighs 9 pounds.
• Maximum Heating Capacity of 9,000 BTU.
• Has heating coverage of 225 sq ft.
• 1 lb cylinder.
• Includes carry handle.

Pros

• Convenient transport.
• Easy to use.
• Portable and lightweight.
• Safety features for convenient indoor use.
• Exterior grille to prevent burn.

Cons

• Only suitable for small rooms.

2. AKUSAKO Propane Camping Heater Indoor Propane Heater

Value for Money

This is another very reliable indoor propane heater to help with your heating needs anytime, any day. The heater is quite portable and easy to move around, which makes it a top choice for camping, ice fishing, hiking, and so on.

Primarily, it is an indoor heater with all the safety components you can think of. You’d need to open your window or door for ventilation before you use this inside your home, but it also comes with a tip-over safety switch and safe heating components for indoor use.

As an extra, the unit also doubles as a cooker for Quick meals.

Specifications

• Weighs 8.15 pounds.
• Radiant heating.
• Dimensions at ‎14.53 x 11.5 x 11.06 inches.
• 3.7 kilowatt heating output.
• Includes hose and other accessories.

Pros

• 2-in-1 design for heating and cooking.
• Very portable.
• 360° heating.
• Adjustable gas valve.
• Quite durable.

Cons

• May require some level of technicality.

3. Mr. Heater Little Buddy 3800-BTU Indoor Safe Propane Heater

Best Price

True to its name, this is your little buddy for when the cold comes biting hard. With its picture-perfect look and ergonomic design, this is, perhaps, one of the most portable and eye-catching indoor heaters around.

With a 45-degree heating angle and up to 6 hours of non-stop heating, this is a great heating option for your small room or space.

This is a perfect heater for indoor use because of its amazing safety features including, an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and an accidental tip-over switch that automatically shuts off the unit when oxygen is low or when it is tipped over.

What’s more, ventilation is required at a minimum of 4 square inches for safe operation inside the home.

Specifications

• Has dimensions of 11 x 11 x 11 inches.
• Weighs 5 pounds.
• 95 sq ft. heating area.
• 3,800 BTU
• 1 lb cylinder.

Pros

• Lightweight and portable.
• Great to look at.
• Safe for indoor use.
• Easy to assemble and use.
• Easy to carry around and use for emergency purposes.

Cons

• Suitable for small spaces only.

Final Words:

To emphasize the essence of this post, you can use some propane heaters indoors if they are designed to be used indoors with relevant safety features.

Just be sure to look out for the features highlighted in this post and purchase only the propane heater that is clearly designed to be used indoors so that you do not endanger yourself and those in your home.

A propane heater can be the affordable, efficient heating solution you desire, but it can also be quite dangerous if you’re not careful in choosing the right one.