Gas heater

S

Salmank

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2016
Messages
581
Reaction score
170
Location
Boksburg
Hi there,

I want to buy a gas heater. Which is the best?

Is it worth it to pay R2000 for a Delongi, or will a cheap gas heater give the same benefits?

Given the fact that we will only use the heater maximum 3 months a year.

Thanks

Salman
 
I bought a cheap, no-name brand from Builders Warehouse about 25 years ago. Its still working fine.
 
Cheap is good as long as it has the SABS / SANS approval.

Oh no! Another captured state entity?
 
Ours is a Salton. Nothing wrong with it years later. Cannot recall the cost, but nowhere near R2K.
 
Gas heaters are stupid since they have to be in well ventilated areas due to CO2 and CO...and if it's well ventilated well it doesn't hold heat well.
 
HavocXphere said:
Gas heaters are stupid since they have to be in well ventilated areas due to CO2 and CO...and if it's well ventilated well it doesn't hold heat well.
Click to expand...

Never bothered with ventilation in 20 years. Have yet to pass out.
 
Salmank said:
Thanks for the replies guys.

Will just go for a cheap gas heater.
Click to expand...

I have 2 Both Alva brand one is the little one that runs on the 3Kg tank and the other the larger 9Kg tank, they both pretty efficient.
the little one is a bit more expensive compared to the larger one *think i paid under 800 each
the little one is nice for a bedroom the larger for your lounge (more open rooms)
i don't run them one way just warm up the room and turn it off till the rooms cool down
 
biometrics said:
Never bothered with ventilation in 20 years. Have yet to pass out.
Click to expand...
Right...

Passing out isn't the issue you should have worried about those 20 years.

Studies in animals at 0.5% CO2 have demonstrated kidney calcification and bone loss after eight weeks of exposure.[119] A study of humans exposed in 2.5 hour sessions demonstrated significant effects on cognitive abilities at concentrations as low as 0.1% (1000ppm) CO2 likely due to CO2 induced increases in cerebral blood flow.[115] Another study observed a decline in basic activity level and information usage at 1000 ppm, when compared to 500 ppm.[116]
Click to expand...

Carbon monoxide is even more fun:

Exposures to carbon monoxide may cause significant damage to the heart and central nervous system, especially to the globus pallidus,[37] often with long-term chronic pathological conditions.
Click to expand...
 
HavocXphere said:
Right...

Passing out isn't the issue you should have worried about those 20 years.



Carbon monoxide is even more fun:
Click to expand...

not saying not to air out a room when burning Gas , but you are being a bit of an alarmist.
as for carbon monoxide yes that can be an issue if the heater is not burning efficiently (if flame not blue)

but on the flip side yes you do need to be cautious and not take it for granted that its safe to burn continually without airing a room
 
biometrics said:
What does "at 0.5% CO2" mean?
Click to expand...
Concentration in the air.

0.04% is normal atmo.

Same reason sane people don't braai indoors without a chimney with good upwards draft. (That and smoke I guess). Or don't run a car inside a close garage...

You really don't want to breath in that ka.k even temporarily given the long term effects.

isie said:
not saying not to air out a room when burning Gas , but you are being a bit of an alarmist.
Click to expand...
So you're saying I've got a point but I don't have a point?
 
HavocXphere said:
Concentration in the air.

0.04% is normal atmo.

Same reason sane people don't braai indoors without a chimney with good upwards draft. (That and smoke I guess). Or don't run a car inside a close garage...

You really don't want to breath in that ka.k even temporarily given the long term effects.
Click to expand...

/shrug

Works for me.
 
Salmank said:
Hi there,

I want to buy a gas heater. Which is the best?

Is it worth it to pay R2000 for a Delongi, or will a cheap gas heater give the same benefits?

Given the fact that we will only use the heater maximum 3 months a year.

Thanks

Salman
Click to expand...

Have you considered the relative cost? Papers like the Sunday Times usually say gas is cheaper. A few years ago I went to the nearest supplier and got the price, did the sums, and found there was little difference. So much for journalists who just make assumptions based on second hand (dis) information.

The current situation could well be very different. A lot depends on which block you are charged for electricity (I am talking Tshwane here). If you already have substantial usage you will be paying on the highest block. I did my calculations around years ago. The capital cost of fanheaters is quite low, but they too come with risks, mostly due to the risk of fire if upset or kicked over. The better appliances have protective devices.

In the UK gas is reckoned to be cheaper, but there we have mains gas piped in. The gas cylinder situation here is a bit tedious, a bit like gas cylinders for caravans in the UK. Over there at most sites the electricity is included in the camp site rental, so it pays not to use the gas. The caravans have multi fuel gas/electric fires, and often the fridges run on both too.

We also have central heating in most houses, so usage of fuel is higher. Oil too is a possibility, but comes with big bills when you have around 5000 litres delivered!

In the UK many of the gas boilers come with water heating as and when you turn on the tap. It saves heat losses compared to your geysers. You do need to be careful with fumes from gas heaters: in Georgia (the FSR one) the heaters tended to be multi fuel, and gas (from cylinders like here) was favoured due to the erratic electric supply. Quite a few expats were killed by fumes in their sleep. The temperature in winter was around -20 at noon on a sunny day.

One of the other respondents was quite right about ventilation: ventilating causes a loss of heat = a loss of money. Not ventilating leaves a lot of water in the air, which in cold weather (not often found here) can cause mould to form where condensation takes place.

For my part I did not go ahead with gas heaters as there was no saving, whilst at the same time some extra risks came with gas. It could well be that the future price of gas against electricity will swing against electricity as you pay for recent corruption. I have no idea why gas generated electricity is not used here (as far as I know). You may even find supplies of gas locally in the future.
Paraffin heaters are not popular in the UK, due to the inconvenience of lighting and wick trimming, and because of fumes/smell. I have used them in the distant past.
 
Frequent visitor said:
Have you considered the relative cost? Papers like the Sunday Times usually say gas is cheaper. A few years ago I went to the nearest supplier and got the price, did the sums, and found there was little difference. So much for journalists who just make assumptions based on second hand (dis) information.

The current situation could well be very different. A lot depends on which block you are charged for electricity (I am talking Tshwane here). If you already have substantial usage you will be paying on the highest block. I did my calculations around years ago. The capital cost of fanheaters is quite low, but they too come with risks, mostly due to the risk of fire if upset or kicked over. The better appliances have protective devices.

In the UK gas is reckoned to be cheaper, but there we have mains gas piped in. The gas cylinder situation here is a bit tedious, a bit like gas cylinders for caravans in the UK. Over there at most sites the electricity is included in the camp site rental, so it pays not to use the gas. The caravans have multi fuel gas/electric fires, and often the fridges run on both too.

We also have central heating in most houses, so usage of fuel is higher. Oil too is a possibility, but comes with big bills when you have around 5000 litres delivered!

In the UK many of the gas boilers come with water heating as and when you turn on the tap. It saves heat losses compared to your geysers. You do need to be careful with fumes from gas heaters: in Georgia (the FSR one) the heaters tended to be multi fuel, and gas (from cylinders like here) was favoured due to the erratic electric supply. Quite a few expats were killed by fumes in their sleep. The temperature in winter was around -20 at noon on a sunny day.

One of the other respondents was quite right about ventilation: ventilating causes a loss of heat = a loss of money. Not ventilating leaves a lot of water in the air, which in cold weather (not often found here) can cause mould to form where condensation takes place.

For my part I did not go ahead with gas heaters as there was no saving, whilst at the same time some extra risks came with gas. It could well be that the future price of gas against electricity will swing against electricity as you pay for recent corruption. I have no idea why gas generated electricity is not used here (as far as I know). You may even find supplies of gas locally in the future.
Paraffin heaters are not popular in the UK, due to the inconvenience of lighting and wick trimming, and because of fumes/smell. I have used them in the distant past.
Click to expand...

Nice detailed post.

To sum it up, which will be the best heater to get for a 40 square meter room?
 
Frequent visitor said:
Have you considered the relative cost? Papers like the Sunday Times usually say gas is cheaper. A few years ago I went to the nearest supplier and got the price, did the sums, and found there was little difference. So much for journalists who just make assumptions based on second hand (dis) information.

The current situation could well be very different. A lot depends on which block you are charged for electricity (I am talking Tshwane here). If you already have substantial usage you will be paying on the highest block. I did my calculations around years ago. The capital cost of fanheaters is quite low, but they too come with risks, mostly due to the risk of fire if upset or kicked over. The better appliances have protective devices.

In the UK gas is reckoned to be cheaper, but there we have mains gas piped in. The gas cylinder situation here is a bit tedious, a bit like gas cylinders for caravans in the UK. Over there at most sites the electricity is included in the camp site rental, so it pays not to use the gas. The caravans have multi fuel gas/electric fires, and often the fridges run on both too.

We also have central heating in most houses, so usage of fuel is higher. Oil too is a possibility, but comes with big bills when you have around 5000 litres delivered!

In the UK many of the gas boilers come with water heating as and when you turn on the tap. It saves heat losses compared to your geysers. You do need to be careful with fumes from gas heaters: in Georgia (the FSR one) the heaters tended to be multi fuel, and gas (from cylinders like here) was favoured due to the erratic electric supply. Quite a few expats were killed by fumes in their sleep. The temperature in winter was around -20 at noon on a sunny day.

One of the other respondents was quite right about ventilation: ventilating causes a loss of heat = a loss of money. Not ventilating leaves a lot of water in the air, which in cold weather (not often found here) can cause mould to form where condensation takes place.

For my part I did not go ahead with gas heaters as there was no saving, whilst at the same time some extra risks came with gas. It could well be that the future price of gas against electricity will swing against electricity as you pay for recent corruption. I have no idea why gas generated electricity is not used here (as far as I know). You may even find supplies of gas locally in the future.
Paraffin heaters are not popular in the UK, due to the inconvenience of lighting and wick trimming, and because of fumes/smell. I have used them in the distant past.
Click to expand...

There is more to it though.

Compare it to Post paid and prepaid contracts.

You fill the gas bottle and use it sparingly as you know it will run out. If it runs out you have no heat. Either re-gas or sit in the cold till you can re-gas. Where with an electrical heater, people tend to just have it running 24/7, only feeling the pain when the bill comes. Even knowing the bill is coming again next month, it's easier just to put it on, since you can :p

I prefer gas, same with our stove and geysers. Just much easier to keep an eye on the expenditure and it does really work out cheaper, I guess it's because you are more in tune with the fees as opposed to getting a power bill end of the month.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X