Portable Propane Heaters 

Today's portable propane heaters are energy efficient, engineered to be much safer, require low maintenance, are easier to use, and environmentally friendly. Propane, or LP (liquid propane) is a fast and clean-burning fuel. Smaller models use radiant heat, meaning the air around the unit is heated as the propane burns. Larger units have fans that force air through, sending hot air out into the surrounding area.

Portable heaters don't require external electricity to light up. Most are lit with a match, though some units have an integrated "electrical" ignition, usually a spring/spark plug mechanism. Fuel is supplied through a portable LP tank attached to it.

Propane space heaters can be used outdoors to heat a garage, shed, or workshop, patio, or semi-enclosed yard space, or indoors with proper ventilation. For larger spaces, you might consider forced-air fan units which are ideal for warehouse or storage spaces, shops and restaurants, or the home.

Heaters are rated by BTU, (British Thermal Units), which is the amount of heat needed to heat one pound of water by 1 degree Farenheit. In order to determine how many BTU's you'll want, calculate the volume of the space to be heated by multiplying square footage by height. Multiply that number by 4 if you have poor insulation or will be using it outdoors, 3 if it's average, or 2 if you have good insulation. This will give you a rough ballpark figure for how many BTU you'll need.

Smaller units, producing between 4000 and 9000 BTU's work well for spaces up to approximately 300 square feet - perfect for camping, hunting and fishing, heating your tent or RV.

Larger portable propane heaters can produce from 30,000-50,000 BTU's, on up to industrial-strength models producing as much as 350,000 BTU's.

When considering what to purchase, you'll have to choose between four main types: radiant heaters that directly heat the air in front of the unit; convection heaters which draw cool air from below; radiators that heat oil enclosed in the unit, gradually heating the surrounding air, and forced-air heaters that use a fan mechanism to blow air across the heated elements and out into the surrounding space.

Anytime you use an external heater, you want to ensure proper safety. You must always follow the manufacturer's usage instructions. Heaters are one of the appliances that you'll want to take the time for and fill out the warranty card to receive informational updates from the manufacturer.

When choosing a particular model, look for extra safety features such as an automatic shutoff switch that will shut off unit if it gets tipped or knocked over. You also want to make sure to choose a model where the heating element is well enclosed within the unit.

Remember as well that a portable propane heater, depending on the model and size, may actually be relatively large and heavy. While this may not be a concern if you plan on picking one up at your local home-improvement or hardware store, you should keep it in mind if you're ordering online, or the unit must be shipped, and take into account the added shipping costs.