What Are the Dangers of Propane Furnaces?
The propane furnace, invented in the early 1900s, offers a cheaper and much cleaner alternative to electrical heating. The benefits of using gas come with some disadvantages, though: Propane furnaces are much more dangerous than electrical heaters and can cause death. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Propane was discovered during the early 1910s by U.S. Bureau of Mines chemist Walter Snelling. Snelling discovered propane when asked to determine why gasoline evaporated so quickly in the Ford Model T. When Snelling bottled the gasoline, it kept pressurizing the cork and popping out. After studying this vapor, Snelling found it was flammable and could be used for a multitude of purposes.
Fire
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While propane furnaces and furnaces fueled by other natural gases can cause fires and explosions due to leaks, propane furnaces are much more dangerous. When leaking, propane gas from a furnace will collect at a ground level close to the pilot light. After a sufficient amount collects, the propane gas causes a much greater explosion than does natural gas, which disperses evenly throughout a room.
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
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Like all natural gases, the propane used in a propane furnace produces a minute amount of lethal carbon monoxide gas that can collect and eventually cause death or severe health problems. Placing a propane furnace in a confined space can trap and collect carbon monoxide. This is why propane heaters should be placed in a ventilated area or an unused space such as a basement or attic.
Clogged Vents
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Propane furnaces work by collecting surrounding air and heating it with a propane flame. Some states have special laws that require propane furnaces to have venting to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Forgetting to change the filter on a propane furnace leads to clogging of the ventilation shaft and can cause a buildup of carbon monoxide.
Benefits of Propane
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FurnaceCompare claims that switching to a propane furnace can save a family as much as 50 percent on home heating bills. Propane furnaces also last up to a decade longer than electric-heating appliances. They also burn at a high temperature and heat up faster than a regular electric air pump. Propane is also better for the environment as it emits only a negligible amount of pollutants.
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