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Are these still safe?

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brandonf
brandonf Member Posts: 209
in Gas Heating
My father loves old gas heaters because they have standing Pilots so his pipes won't freeze if the power goes out. Are these still safe to operate? One is vented, one is non vented.
Homeowner, Entrepreneur, Mechanic, Electrician,

"The toes you step on today are connected to the butt you'll have to kiss tomorrow". ---Vincent "Buddy" Cianci

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,228
    Vented is ok. I myself wouldn't use an unvented heater
    kcoppZmandelta T
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,888
    EBEBRATT-Ed said:

    Vented is ok. I myself wouldn't use an unvented heater

    This. In many areas, unvented heaters are illegal, and for good reason. Carbon monoxide is an ever-present hazard with them.

    Do your father a favor- get rid of the unvented one. And have someone with a digital combustion analyzer check the vented one to make sure it's running safely.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    delta T
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,288
    Get your father a "Low Level" CO detector.
    light the vent-less heater and see what happens.
  • Bob Harper
    Bob Harper Member Posts: 1,119
    NOTHING is "safe", which is an absolute term. Are they suitable for continued use as they were tested and listed? Possibly. Someone qualified would have to thoroughly inspect and test them. For one, you need to replace that 3" galv. vent connector pipe and secure it with 3 equidistantly spaced screws per joint. As for the lung vented heater note the appliance was tested in a clean lab environment-not an active home. Any dust, dirt, stray air currents, etc. can result in incomplete combustion= carbon monoxide and soot. VF can legally emit 200ppm CO.
    Must have low level unlisted CO monitors regardless.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,334
    looks like a lot of corrosion on that vent pipe, If it is a vent?
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream

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