Read on to learn how to choose the right gas heater for your household.
The winter chill is setting in and we're all scrambling to find ways to combat the cold. Gas heaters can be a cost-effective and efficient way to warm up your home over the winter months. Whether you feel the cold severely or just want to take the edge off the nippy evenings, a good gas heater can be a reliable addition to your home.
Here’s everything you need to know about gas heaters, including which model is recommended for different scenarios, what you can expect to pay, and the difference between flued and portable models.
How to decide which gas heater is best for you
Heating our home or workspace is an important consideration we all have to face at some point. As gas heaters are a popular go-to solution for many of us, retailers like to bombard us with variety, which can result in confusion. Here are the key elements to consider before you embark on your gas heater search:
- How big is the space you’re heating?
- Would you prefer a model that can be installed as a home feature all year round, or a portable model you can simply pack away in those scorching summer months?
- How much space do you have to accommodate your new gas heater?
- Are you a home owner or a renter?
Once you’ve considered these key questions, you’ll be ready to start making strides towards purchasing the perfect, cost-effective heating solution for you.
Best gas heater for large rooms
Rinnai Avenger
Searching for something that performs, even in a large space? Consider the Rinnai Avenger. It's fitted with a child lock to ensure safety for families with younger children, and offers high efficiency heating performance in open plan spaces. If your home has large rooms or an open plan layout, this model is effective and available from The Good Guys for $1,249.
Additional features and technical specs include:
- Gas output: 8.5 - 25MJ/h
- Dimensions (mm): 610 x 485 x 245
- Dual timers for on and off morning and evening programming
- 5.8-star energy rating (out of a possible 6)
- Fitted with a child lock
Best gas heater for small rooms
Rinnai Cosyglow
If you're looking to heat smaller areas effectively, we recommend the Rinnai Cosyglow. With a 5.9 energy efficiency rating, this compact model is a suitable addition to a smaller home. It's lightweight and sturdy so it's suitable for a household with children, and at only $489 it's a reasonable cost to pay for simple yet effective heating.
Additional features and technical specs include:
- Gas output: 5.5 - 11MJ/h
- Dimensions (mm): 440 x 405 x 250
- Easy to use ignition system
- 2 manual heat settings
- 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
Best gas heater for garages
Paloma Portable NG
When trying to pick a heating solution for your garage, it’s important to consider the (general) lack of ventilation via windows. We recommend the Paloma Portable NG. The inbuilt safety features of this model include an Oxygen Depletion Safety System which automatically cuts off gas flow if the oxygen level in the room depletes lower than a safe level, a Flame Failure Device which stops gas flow to the burner if the flame goes out, as well as air volume and combustion control. You can purchase this model for $939.
Additional features and technical specs include:
- Gas output: 18MJ/h
- 5.9-star energy efficiency rating
- Dimensions (mm): 531 x 494 x 237
- Thermostat and dual timers
- Child safety lock
Best gas heater for asthma sufferers in large homes
Rinnai Energysaver flued heater
If you or a member of your household suffers from asthma, a flued gas heater is the most logical solution. Exhaust fumes can trigger attacks, so send them right outdoors with a flued model. We recommend the Rinnai Energysaver flued heater. At $2,689, this model performs impressively in large, open plan settings with zero emissions thanks to its extremely powerful flue. The design allows for multiple installation options, with features including a preheat mode, an economy mode and an in-built humidifier tray.
Additional features and technical specs include:
- Gas input: 15.5 - 37MJ/h
- 4.8-star energy efficiency rating
- Thermostat and dual timers
- Child safety lock
- Variable heat settings
Best gas heater for asthma sufferers in small homes
Rinnai Energysaver 309FT flued heater
If you or a family member suffers from asthma but you don’t need a model that caters to an expansive space, our alternative recommendation would be the Rinnai Energysaver 309FT flued heater. It produces zero emissions thanks to its powerful flue, making it the ideal choice for allergy and asthma sufferers, as well as those with respiratory problems. At $1,299, it features all the elements of its larger counterpart, yet caters to smaller spaces.
Additional features and technical specs include:
- Gas input: 6 - 13MJ/h
- 4.8-star energy efficiency rating
- Thermostat and dual timers
- Child safety lock
- Variable heat settings
Which type of heater is best?
So, all things considered there are three main categories that gas heaters can be divided into:
- Portable gas heaters are designed so you can move them from room to room, stow them away during those summer months and take them with you to work if you wish. Although they’re more expensive than electric models to purchase, they are substantially less expensive to run and the latest models come ready fitted with important safety switch off triggers to give you peace of mind, especially if you’ve got little ones in the household.
- Flued gas heaters are fitted with a flue pipe. This carries exhaust gases from your heater outdoors, preventing your space from being polluted with emissions. Flued gas heaters need to be installed by a professional and are not portable.
- Unflued gas heaters are movable, but are not considered portable as they’re much heavier than the portable models on the market. They’re an ideal choice for renters looking for a heating solution to sit in their living rooms year round.
What can we expect to pay for a gas heater?
There is no correct answer to this question. You can pick up some models for under $500 and then there are some gas heaters that are priced in excess of $2,000. If you’re looking to invest in a flued heater, you can expect to pay $1,000 to $2,000, and up. The portable models are a much more affordable option if you’re on a budget and you can pick one up for anything from $480 up to $1,500. Whatever your budget, the above selection includes the best gas heaters around based on capacity, safety features and innovative design.
Important features to bear in mind when shopping for gas heaters
- Temperature remotes and thermostats will enable you to set your temperature preferences and maintain that comfortable level of cosy.
- Dual timers allow you to set automatic on and off times in the morning and evening to prevent unwanted chills. Set your heater to come on a quarter of an hour before you arrive home and you’ll always look forward to walking through the door.
- Filter-cleaning warning features are always a handy bonus as they remind you when it’s time to clean yours to keep your heater functioning effectively and economically.
- Electric ignition is preferable as it prevents you having to leave a pilot light running constantly.
- Child locks are an extremely important feature offered by some models. Whether you’re a parent or have friends who are, the majority of us play host to children on numerous occasions year round. Better safe than sorry.
