Gas Heater in the shed.

[QUOTE
At least when it's cold down here I can do something about it.

(Notice I didn't say "'cause there's too many Queenslanders up there" ;) )[/QUOTE]

Good point SilentC.

The variation in weather down South is good. Although I regularly visit QLD and enjoy the tropics and the desert and the people, I think the long spells of the same weather could be a problem with me.

I have read reports where scientists have thought bacteria and other minute nasties don't last very long in climates that vary which is good from a health point of view.

I can make my shed comfortable with the gas heater during the colder months but the heat can be uncomfortable in the warmer months in Melbourne.

Using hand tools can warm you up.

- Wood Borer

Quote:

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I also mentioned the by-product issue (water) and he suggested that since the units are 97% efficient, that it should not be an issue.

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I'm afraid he has no idea what he's talking about. Natural gas (mostly methane, CH4) burns according to the formula

CH4 + 2 O2 --> CO2 + 2 H2O

If the units are 97% efficient, that means that 97% of the natural gas undergoes this reaction, and the remainder is unburnt.

What about an infrared heat lamp (like those used in bathrooms)?

Cheers,

Tristan

Gordon

It is obvious that whoever gave you the story about it being OK doesn't know what he is talking about.
Running the gas heater in a confined, unventilated space will eventually consume very close to 100% of the available oxygen, to the point where the flame will go out. Unfortunately you will go out first.
Thet was a stupid statent by a stupid guy. Ventilate at all times or soon you won't need the heater!

I agree Joe.

Combustion requires oxygen, flammable material(in this case gas) and ignition source. It obtains said oxygen from interior of box(shed), flame goes out through lack of oxygen and so do you.

Having attended a couple of asphyxiations it ain't pretty.

Gordon,
To use an unflued gas heater inside you must have extremely good cross ventilation &/or an extremely large internal room volume, which in my mind defeats any advantage of the price of mains gas and relatively low cost of these units. As for forklifts and the like there extremely tight controls that should be adhered to in terms of indoor use – if the risk can’t be managed or is borderline you will usually find electric is used.

If you are unmovable on getting one, check with a decent sales person who knows a lot more than the ****** you have spoken to already. Ask if it has an oxygen depletion sensor (I’d be looking for written evidence from the manufacturer), which will shut off the gas supply if the level of oxygen in the room drops to a level where is insufficient fresh air to support clean(ish) combustion, instead of continuing to burn and producing volumes of carbon monoxide.

Wherether or not it produces a major or minor CO2/CO risk, the longer you spend in a closed shed with one of these units running, the worse the indoor air quality will get, which in tern can directly affect your health. If you have or have previously suffered from a dodgy ticker have a chat to your doctor/specialist about the possible side effects.


If nothing else the problem with water vapor and rusty tools/equipment should steer you away from it.
Eastie

For what it's worth, I agree with the asphyxia comments made earlier in the thread. Ventilation is a must... But my greatest concern is that this is a wood shop. OK, you are using extraction, but sawdust (particularly if dry) is a very good explosive. I would seriously recommend a form of heating (infra-red, for instance) that does not involve a naked flame.

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Originally Posted by Eastie

Gordon,
[color=black]Ask if it has an oxygen depletion sensor

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or buy a canary for the shed :eek:

for those not in the know canaries were traditionally used down mines to monitor air quality ... if the canary drops off its perch ... get out quick.

If you're using the shed during the day you could always make yourself a solar heater

http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/robkem.../SunLizard.htm shows a commercial one using a solar panel but somewhere i've got instructions how to make a DIY unit which from memory uses black paint and glass and other recyclables... which I haven't got round to trying yet ( its on that to do list that goes three times round the house and down the street :( )

Jackie, it is nice to see that like me you also write your to-dos on a roll of Sorbent :D

I use an oil heater (column heater). We happened to have one lying around and I figured it would be just the thing for the shed (no naked flame).

The shed is just a bit smaller than a (small) one car garrage. The heater only has about 5 columns but it works fine. You just have to wait about 30 mins while it builds up heat.

It's rated to 1200w max.

Ben.

Another thing to consider when using unflued gas heaters is the oxides of nitrogen that they can produce, which have been known to agravate respiratory problems, such as asthma.

Guys,

I haven't purchased one yet, partly because they're not cheap!

In fairness to the chap I spoke to, he calculated the air volume of the shed and the smallest heater fits well within the standards for an enclosed space.

Also, it's not as if the shed is sealed, there is a 25mm gap running the width of the shed (6m) at the top where the roller door is.