Gas-fired duct heaters and gas space heaters offer powerful heat for garages, workshops, warehouses, and larger rooms where forced-air or ducted systems are required. This guide compares five gas-fired heaters from well-known brands, summarizing key specs to help you match heater capacity, venting type, and control features to your space.
| Product | Type | BTU | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProCom MN300TPA-B | Ventless Infrared/Wall Or Floor | 30,000 BTU | Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft. |
| ProCom MN300TBA-B | Ventless Blue Flame/Wall Or Floor | 30,000 BTU | Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft. |
| ProCom MN300HBA-B | Ventless Blue Flame/Plaque | 30,000 BTU | Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft. |
| ProCom MN300HPA-B | Ventless Infrared/Plaque | 30,000 BTU | Up To 1,200 Sq. Ft. |
| Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG | Unit/Forced-Air Natural Gas Heater | 80,000 BTU | Up To 2,000 Sq. Ft. |
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ProCom MN300TPA-B Ventless Infrared Heater
This ProCom model Is A 30,000 BTU Ventless Infrared Heater Designed For Residential Use. It Lists Thermostat Control With High/Medium/Low Settings And Is Sized To Heat Up To 1,400 Square Feet. The Unit Can Be Wall Mounted Or Placed On The Floor Using Included Base Feet.
Key Features: Infrared Heating Technology, Built-In Thermostat Control, Compact Modern Profile, Wall Mount Hardware Included, Base Feet Included. Intended For Rooms Where Ventless Infrared Heat Is Acceptable Under Local Codes.
Considerations: Infrared models heat objects and people directly rather than heating large volumes of air quickly. Ventless operation means no flue venting, but requires compliance with local ventilation and safety codes and adequate oxygen supply for indoor use.
ProCom MN300TBA-B Ventless Blue Flame Heater
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The ProCom MN300TBA-B Is A 30,000 BTU Ventless Blue Flame Space Heater With Thermostat Control. Blue flame heaters Mix Room Air With Combustion For Rapid Warmth And Often Provide Better Whole-Room Convection Than Infrared Plaques.
Key Features: Thermostat Control With High/Medium/Low, Slim Modern Profile, Wall Or Floor Installation With Included Hardware, Designed For Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft. Coverage. Suitable For Living Rooms, Offices, And Bedrooms Where Ventless Units Are Permitted.
Considerations: Blue flame units may produce slight combustion byproducts and require adequate ventilation and adherence to indoor installation rules. Thermostat control allows set-and-forget comfort, but placement affects airflow and distribution.
ProCom MN300HBA-B Ventless Blue Flame Heater With Base Feet
The MN300HBA-B Is A 30,000 BTU Ventless Blue Flame Heater Offered With Manual Control And A Push-Button Piezo Ignition. It Includes An Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) For Automatic Shutoff If Oxygen Levels Drop.
Key Features: Manual Control (Low/Medium/High), No Electricity Required, Push-Button Piezo Ignition, ODS Safety Shutoff, Base Feet Included. Rated To Heat Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft. Using Natural Gas Only.
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Considerations: Manual control models Offer Simplicity And No-Electric Operation, Beneficial In Power-Outage Scenarios. Ventless operation requires careful attention to room size, ventilation, and carbon monoxide safety protocols.
ProCom MN300HPA-B Ventless Infrared Plaque Heater
The MN300HPA-B Is A 30,000 BTU Ventless Infrared Plaque Heater That Operates Without Electricity And Uses Piezo Ignition. It Lists Manual Control With Three Heat Settings And An ODS For Safety.
Key Features: 30,000 Maximum BTU, Heats Up To 1,200 Sq. Ft., No Electricity Required, Manual Low/Medium/High Settings, Piezo Ignition, Oxygen Depletion Sensor With Automatic Shutoff.
Considerations: As An Infrared Plaque, This Unit Delivers Radiant Heat Favoring Surfaces And Occupants Near The Unit. Verify Local Codes For ventless infrared heaters and ensure adequate fresh air in the installation area.
Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG Natural Gas Unit Heater
The Mr. Heater Big Maxx Is An 80,000 BTU Natural Gas Unit Heater Designed For Garages, Workshops, And Commercial Spaces. It Provides Forced-Air Heat With Options For Vertical Or Horizontal Venting (Category 1 Or 3) Depending On Installation.
Key Features: 80,000 BTU Performance, Coverage Up To 2,000 Sq. Ft., Includes 2 Angle Brackets And LP Conversion Kit, Requires 120 V For Fan/Controls, Minimum Clearance Requirements, Category 1 Vertical & Category 3 Horizontal Venting.
Considerations: This Is A Vented Unit Heater Appropriate For Ducted Or Directed Forced-Air Heat Applications. It Requires Proper venting, electrical supply, and adherence to clearances. It Is Suited To Larger Spaces Where Ventless Options Are Not Appropriate.
Buying Guide For Gas-Fired Duct And Space Heaters
Selecting The Right Gas-Fired Heater Requires Balancing Heat Output, Venting Type, Controls, And Safety. Below Are Key Considerations When Comparing Models.
Heat Output And Room Size
Match BTU Output To Room Volume Rather Than Floor Area Alone. Higher Ceilings, Poor Insulation, And Open Bays Require More BTUs. Unit Heaters (Forced-Air) Like The Mr. Heater 80,000 BTU Suit Larger Spaces; 30,000 BTU Ventless Units Suit Small-To-Medium Rooms.
Vented Versus Ventless Systems
- Vented (Duct/Unit) Heaters: Require Exhaust Venting, Safer For Enclosed Commercial Spaces, Better For High-Capacity Applications, Often Require Electric Power For Fans.
- Ventless Heaters: No Flue Needed, Easier To Install, Radiant Or Blue Flame Styles Available, But Require Compliance With Local Codes And Good Ventilation.
Heat Delivery Type
- Infrared/Radiant: Heats Objects And People Directly; Good For Spot Heating And Where Air Movement Is Limited.
- Blue Flame/Convection: Mixes Room Air For Faster Whole-Room Heating; Good For Living Spaces.
- Forced-Air Unit Heaters: Use Fans To Move Warm Air Through Space Or Ducts; Best For Uniform Heating Of Large Areas.
Controls And Convenience
Thermostat Control Provides Precise Temperature Management. Manual Controls Offer Simplicity And No-Electric Operation. Consider The Need For Remote Or Wall-Mounted Thermostats, Programmable Schedules, Or Integration With Existing HVAC Controls.
Safety Features
Look For Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS), Tip-Over Switches, And Certified Combustion Safety Labels. Ventless Units Should Include ODS And Meet Local Indoor Combustion Regulations. Unit Heaters Require Proper Clearances And Secure Mounting.
Fuel Type And Conversion
Confirm Whether The Unit Is Natural Gas Or Propane, And If A Conversion Kit Is Included Or Permitted. Some Models Ship Specific To One Fuel Type And Disallow Field Conversion. Check Manufacturer Guidance And Local Fuel Supply.
Installation And Venting Requirements
Vented Unit Heaters Often Require Professional Installation, Proper Flue Sizing, And Electrical Connections For Fans/Controls. Ventless Heaters Require No Flue But Must Be Placed Where Ventilation And Clearances Meet Code. Review Manufacturer Instructions For Mounting Location And Minimum Clearances.
Energy Efficiency And Operating Considerations
Efficiency Depends On Combustion Quality, Heat Distribution, And Duty Cycle. Infrared Heaters Can Feel Efficient For Direct Heating, While Vented Unit Heaters May Waste Less Indoor Combustion Byproduct Control. Consider How Long The Heater Will Run And Insulation Quality To Estimate Fuel Use.
Noise And Airflow
Unit Heaters With Fans Produce Audible Noise And Air Movement; infrared plaques And ventless blue flame units Are Quieter But May Produce Some convection. Match Noise Tolerance To The Space (office vs. workshop).
Maintenance And Warranty
Regular Inspection Of Burners, Ignition Systems, And Venting (If Applicable) Is Important. Check Manufacturer Warranty Terms And Availability Of Service Parts. Ventless Units May Require Periodic Air Quality Checks.
Code Compliance And Indoor Air Quality
Confirm Local Building Codes Regarding Indoor Combustion Appliances. Ventless Heaters Are Restricted In Some Jurisdictions Or Certain Room Types. Consider CO Detectors And Adequate Ventilation To Protect Indoor Air Quality.
By Considering BTU Requirements, Venting Type, Heat Delivery, Safety Features, And Installation Needs, You Can Narrow Options Between Infrared Plaques, Blue Flame Ventless Units, And Vented Unit Heaters To Find A Gas-Fired Solution Appropriate For Your Space.
Tips for Getting the Best HVAC Prices
- Prioritize Quality Over Cost
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