Need Furnace/Stove ideas for Perm House

[rocky]

I am just finishing an 8 x 12 perm house for Mille Laces this year and I would like to put a heater in it. I would want it to be safe if we wanted to sleep in it overnight. This is my first perm and I am not sure what heater I should be getting, how big I need and who sells them. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[whitebassman]

vented heater is the best for sleeping in I think. No worries about CO and its quieter then forced air, which would be second option for a sleeping shack.

Vent-free you will have to keep the windows cracked open, and even still its a risk cause you may not wake up once, and that's all it takes.

Either way, make sure you have a batter CO alarm. And one with propane is not a bad idea either.

20,000 btus should be good.

[GravelBar]

Direct vent heater

[Nordern]

Empire (direct vent) makes a great heater. I have had the same one in my perm for going on 20 years with no problems. As the others said you should go with a direct vent if you are going to be spending the night. Nice thing about the Empire is the thermostat needs no electricity to run the heater.

[TundraKing]

I like the Vent-Free heaters myself. Blue flame technology has come a long way and they run extremely clean. They're also affordable. No matter what you use, its a wise purchase to get a CO detector. They run on batteries, so every year before the season starts, install a fresh set of batteries. They will last till fall the next year.

You can find them at pretty much any major hardware store, like fleet farm, Menards, Home Depot, etc... A few common brands are ProCom, Reddy, Mr. Heater. Just make sure you get the one for propane, not natural gas. It'll save you a trip back...

I have a two story shack so I prefer to have a couple windows cracked for a little fresh air anyway.

Enjoy your new shack!

[rocky]

Who sells the direct vent heaters

[gizmoguy]

i just saw a 18000 btu direct vent furnace at menards fo $403. it should be the perfect size for your house

[rocky]

thanks, I will look into the one at Menards. Looks like a nice price. Is this something a guy can install himself or would you recommend a professional install it.

[gizmoguy]

You can install it yourself. I did. Its not much more than cutting a 6" - 8" inch hole in the wall and screwing the furnace flush to the wall. The screws should be set on 16" centers for the wall studs. Then screwing the vent to the outside wall. Hook up the gas line properly and your good to go.

[Hawg]

You can still get great deals on Orbis on the online auction place. Whatever you do, get a direct vent.

[limited out]

not to stir the pot but we have not had good luck with our Empire. We tried for years to increase the heat output using different methods and finally gave up. I've talked to others with similar issue. Sure most are fine but ours was not. We went with a Surburban Heater in our house 3 years ago and best decision we ever made. Major heat output, simply to install and use. Charged batteries are only drain.

[birdswacker]

Anyone tried the Mr. Heater wall heater? Seen them at fleet store.

[coffee]

Empire direct vent - safest out there. No need for battery is nice. Pay attention to the instructions with regard to wall thickness, you mak have to add blocking if you have a 2 or 3" wall. Never make an adjustment by cutting any part of the vent/intake.

[fishadb]

I got a new Empire last year and I don't like it. It is a pain in the rear to lite, if I am absolutely certain I will be back the next day I leave the pilot on overnight. A buddy of mine got a furnace at Menards that he really likes, I can't remember the brand name though I know it was a LOT cheaper than an Empire. In my mind a Mr. Heater should only be used in a portable. If you're ever going to spend the night, a direct vent furnace is a must.

[Wes Ellis]

I have an empire. I only have trouble lighting mine when the tanks are low. would not recomend a ventless heater to any one!