Lanai Heater

[rhpears]

Would like to use a portable natural gas heater in the lanai. Suggestions for a good unit would be appreciated, thanks

[villagetinker]

I would not do this without adequate ventilation, I know the kerosene types had lots of warnings about carbon monoxide gas,, not sure about natural gas or propane.

[dewilson58]

Have used this style for years in our screened in lanai.


Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Commercial-Patio-Heater-Slate/dp/B010VFKZEO/ref=asc_df_B010VFKZEO/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167128818228&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14008178091124551668&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011519&hvtargid=pla-297250129142&th=1)

[villagetinker]

[QUOTE=dewilson58;2144040]Have used this style for years in our screened in lanai.


/QUOTE]

Sorry, in my initial response, I should have clarified, we have a propane fire pit in the SCREENED lanai/birdcage that we have used several times, just do not use if the lanai is enclosed.

[dewilson58]

Sorry, in my initial response, I should have clarified, we have a propane fire pit in the SCREENED lanai/birdcage that we have used several times, just do not use if the lanai is enclosed.

:coolsmiley:

[walterray1]

Would like to use a portable natural gas heater in the lanai. Suggestions for a good unit would be appreciated, thanks

You didnt specify but I assume your lanai is screened and not closed in. Ok too obvious. Anyway, if closed in a mini split would work very well for heat and air depending on the need. If screened it a portable propane heater should suffice.

[luterdan]

Any risk from the heat of a fire pit on the ceiling or melting of the screen if too close??

[Villages Kahuna]

Without venting to the outside, you run the serious risk of CO2 poisoning, which can be fatal. Try an electric heater.

[FuzzyBear]

I bought this propane heater from Amazon. It keeps the area warm if the temp is down to 60°. One wasn’t enough when the temp was 50°, thinking of getting a second one. My lanai is open to the outside.

[villagetinker]

Any risk from the heat of a fire pit on the ceiling or melting of the screen if too close??

Lanai ceiling is at 8 feet, and we have grilled and used the fire pit with no problems, the screen in the birdcage is 5 or 6 feet higher and also no problems.

[talonip]

Go to Amazon and look at fire pits called arommy. We bought it last year. We didn’t put the glass around it. But the nice thing is it has a black glass cover that make it kook like a coffee table when not in use

[yamma3]

Erommy

[golfnut]

I don't understand why someone would want to heat a room that is screened in, are you hoping to heat up the neighborhood?

[Byte1]

I installed a split AC/heatpump unit in my lanai. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter. But, my lanai is closed in, of course.

[dewilson58]

I don't understand why someone would want to heat a room that is screened in, are you hoping to heat up the neighborhood?

We watch TV on cool nights.
We have screens.
:ho:

[Toymeister]

I have never seen nor heard of any portable natural gas appliance of any kind.

Propane yes, natural gas no.

This has to do with the connection requirements for natural gas.

[Toymeister]

Since the OP asked about natural gas heaters I'll continue answering that question. There are permanently (wall) mounted un-vented heaters rated for residential heat. They have built in safety devices which keep you from dieing of obnoxious fumes.

At other homes I've owned them and installed them. If that is what you want I can tell you more. Spoiler alert I would not install one here, in the lanai or anywhere else. They have a place and purpose and but it is not here.

[Pmarlow]

Would like to use a portable natural gas heater in the lanai. Suggestions for a good unit would be appreciated, thanks
We have a propane fire table. On our screened in lanai. I looked into having the Villages add a natural gas line to the area before our house was built and decided not to because they wanted $600 for the line. I’ve had no issues with using the propane table we love to sit out there on cooler nights and watch TV.

[Worldseries27]

would like to use a portable natural gas heater in the lanai. Suggestions for a good unit would be appreciated, thanks
many alternatives

[Blackbird45]

Curious are you using this for heat or as a fire pit where to gather. If it's for heat, there are much safer ways of approaching this.

[Worldseries27]

we have a propane fire table. On our screened in lanai. I looked into having the villages add a natural gas line to the area before our house was built and decided not to because they wanted $600 for the line. I’ve had no issues with using the propane table we love to sit out there on cooler nights and watch tv.
let's see. 600 ÷ 20 (cost of refill) = 30 refills then you start losing money

[lawgolfer]

Since the OP asked about natural gas heaters I'll continue answering that question. There are permanently (wall) mounted un-vented heaters rated for residential heat. They have built in safety devices which keep you from dieing of obnoxious fumes.

At other homes I've owned them and installed them. If that is what you want I can tell you more. Spoiler alert I would not install one here, in the lanai or anywhere else. They have a place and purpose and but it is not here.

Toymeister is mostly correct. The manufactured fireplace industry has spent years trying to educate the public that gas fireplaces, whether natural gas or propane are safe and do not require venting to the exterior of the house. There are still a few mis-guided jurisdictions which ban ventless gas fireplaces, California being the largest. However, California is mis-guided about most everything.

Ventless gas fireplaces are 100% efficient, which means that all the gas is combusted and the only residuals are water vapor of 1-2 cups of water per hour of operation, and, perhaps, a slight odor. The correct way to think of a ventless gas fireplace is that it is no different from using a gas stove and turning on all the burners. The result is identical--heat, water vapor, and, perhaps, a slight odor. I expect that Toymeister's advice to not use an unvented fireplace in Florida is because of the water vapor. If you are concerned about CO2, all unvented fireplaces are required to have a built-in detector. If you're still concerned about the safety of an unvented fireplace, just open a window a small amount. As the OP wants to put the fireplace/pit in a screened lanai, there is no need to be concerned about CO2, water vapor, or odor.

A fire pit will operate the same. The only concern I would have with a fire pit is to be certain that some part of the burner is not obstructed, which might prevent the complete combustion of the gas. For example, don't pile decorative glass pebbles or "embers" directly on the burner. Instead place them on a mesh grate an inch or so above the burner.

We did a wall-to-wall remodel a few years ago and included the installation of a built-in ventless fireplace. If I knew how to do so, I'd add a photo to this post. We could not be happier with the fireplace. After the first hour of operation to burn off any oil or coating on the metal surfaces, there is no odor. For the first hour, we opened all the window in the room. The only problem is that we selected the size of the fireplace to fit the space on the wall, which we then covered from floor to ceiling with stone veneer. This means we bought a fireplace that puts out too much heat for our living room. We can raise the temperature throughout all of our living room, connected dining room, and kitchen by 5 degrees by operating the fireplace for only10 minutes. I hope to resolve this by changing the gas jet to a smaller size.

The fireplace is wonderful. On a cold winter morning, we turn on the fireplace by one click of the remote control, turn on the ceiling fan, and within minutes the room is comfortable. In the remodel, we enclosed our lanai and removed the sliding door from the living room. By using the ceiling fans in both the living room and the lanai, the lanai is also comfortable. It's the same on a cold winter night.

[Blackbird45]

We enclose our lanai years ago with three 8foot slides. The home heats it without a separate heater. When it rains and we have the siders close you still get the experience that you're outdoors. When the weather is nice, we open the sliders. It's the best of both worlds, it's the best move we ever made. We eat breakfast out there every morning.

[heron848]

I don't understand why someone would want to heat a room that is screened in, are you hoping to heat up the neighborhood?

Have you never sat around a campfire?

[Bay Kid]

We enclose our lanai years ago with three 8foot slides. The home heats it without a separate heater. When it rains and we have the siders close you still get the experience that you're outdoors. When the weather is nice, we open the sliders. It's the best of both worlds, it's the best move we ever made. We eat breakfast out there every morning.

That is how I use mine.

[dewilson58]

let's see. 600 ÷ 20 (cost of refill) = 30 refills then you start losing money

One tank per year, 30 years..........life expectance = 22 years, good bet.

[patfla06]

When we closed our lanai in we added a Mitsubishi mini split.
Very efficient and the heat is so nice as well as the a/c.
Our lanai ceiling is just under 11 feet.
We can use our lanai year round.

[dewilson58]

When we closed our lanai in we added a Mitsubishi mini split.
Very efficient and the heat is so nice as well as the a/c.
Our lanai ceiling is just under 11 feet.
We can use our lanai year round.

Once enclosed..............No longer a lanai.

:pepper2:

[JMintzer]

Once enclosed..............No longer a lanai.

:pepper2:

Does it then become a "Florida Room"?

[Pmarlow]

let's see. 600 ÷ 20 (cost of refill) = 30 refills then you start losing money
Yes I hope I will live that long. We haven’t used more than 2 tanks a year in 3 years