Best New Gas Heater Guide: Top Space Heaters and Infrared Units

Looking For A Reliable Gas Heater? This Guide Compares Five New Gas Heathers Suitable For Garages, Workshops, Homes, And Outdoor Spaces. Below Is A Quick Summary Table Of The Selected Models To Help You Compare Type, Output, And Coverage At A Glance.

Product	Type	BTU / Coverage
ProCom MN300TPA-B	Ventless Infrared Space Heater	30,000 BTU — Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft.
ProCom MN300HBA-B	Ventless Blue Flame Heater	30,000 BTU — Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft.
Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG	Ceiling/Wall Unit Heater	80,000 BTU — Up To 2,000 Sq. Ft.
Mr. Heater Portable Buddy MH9BX	Portable Propane Radiant Heater	4,000–9,000 BTU — Up To 225 Sq. Ft.
Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1	Infrared Wall Heater	30,000 BTU — Up To 1,000 Sq. Ft.

ProCom MN300TPA-B Ventless Infrared Heater

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The ProCom MN300TPA-B Is A Compact Infrared Ventless Gas Heater Designed For Residential Use. It Produces Up To 30,000 BTU Using Natural Gas And Claims Coverage Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft.

• Thermostat Control: Built-In Control With High/Medium/Low Settings For Temperature Regulation.
• Installation Flexibility: Can Be Wall Mounted Or Placed On A Floor Using The Included Base Feet.
• Design: Slim Profile Intended To Blend Into Living Areas Without Dominating The Space.

Key Considerations: As A Ventless Infrared Unit, It Delivers Radiant Heat That Warms Objects And People Directly. Ventless Operation Simplifies Installation But Requires Attention To Indoor Ventilation And Combustion Air Requirements Per Local Codes.

ProCom MN300HBA-B Blue Flame Heater

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The ProCom MN300HBA-B Is A Ventless Blue Flame Heater That Operates On Natural Gas Without Electricity. It Offers 30,000 BTU Output And Manual Control With Three Heat Settings.

• Simple Ignition: Push-Button Piezo Ignition Eliminates The Need For Electricity.
• Safety Feature: Includes An Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) That Shuts The Unit Off If Oxygen Levels Drop.
• Heat Settings: Low/Medium/High Manual Control For Basic Output Adjustment.

Key Considerations: This Model Is Useful Where Electrical Access Is Limited. As A Ventless Appliance, Follow Local Regulations About Indoor Combustion Appliances And Ensure Adequate Fresh Air Exchange.

Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG Unit Heater

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The Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU80NG Is A High-Capacity Natural Gas Unit Heater Intended For Garages, Workshops, And Larger Spaces. It Produces 80,000 BTU And Covers Roughly 2,000 Sq. Ft.

• Mounting Options: Includes Two Angle Brackets For Wall Or Ceiling Installation.
• Power And Controls: Requires 120V For Fan/Controls; Thermostat Not Included But Supported.
• Venting Categories: Designed For Category 1 Vertical Or Category 3 Horizontal Venting; Check Clearances And Venting Path.

Key Considerations: This Is A Vented Unit Heater Suitable For Larger Enclosed Spaces. Proper Installation And Venting Are Essential For Safe Operation. Unit Dimensions And Minimum Clearances Should Be Matched To The Intended Location.

Mr. Heater Portable Buddy MH9BX Propane Heater

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The Mr. Heater Portable Buddy MH9BX Is A Compact, Indoor-Safe Propane Radiant Heater With Adjustable Output From 4,000 To 9,000 BTU. It’s Designed For Small Spaces Up To 225 Sq. Ft.

• Radiant Heat: Heats People And Objects Directly Rather Than The Entire Air Volume.
• Safety Systems: Tip-Over Switch And Oxygen Depletion Sensor Enhance Indoor Safety.
• Ignition: Piezo Igniter For Quick, Battery-Free Start-Up.

Key Considerations: This Portable Unit Is Well-Suited For Short-Term Use In Tents, Campers, Workshops, Or Small Rooms. It Requires Proper Ventilation And Should Be Used Per Manufacturer Guidelines Regarding Propane Cylinder Placement And Clearance.

Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1 Infrared Wall Heater

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The Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1 Is A Natural Gas Infrared Wall Heater Rated At 30,000 BTU And Intended To Heat Up To Approximately 1,000 Sq. Ft.

• Infrared Technology: Radiant Heat Warms Objects And People First For Perceived Faster Comfort.
• Natural Gas Ready: Designed For Natural Gas; Fuel Conversion Is Not Permitted.
• Installation: Wall-Mounted Format Conserves Floor Space And Provides Targeted Heat.

Key Considerations: Infrared Wall Heaters Can Be Efficient For Spot Heating In Garages, Workshops, And Open Living Areas. Ensure Correct Clearances And Combustion Air Supply If Installed In Enclosed Indoor Spaces.

Buying Guide: How To Choose The Right Gas Heater

Selecting A Gas Heater Requires Balancing Heat Output, Venting, Safety, And Intended Use. The Following Factors Will Help You Compare Options And Make An Informed Choice.

1. Heater Type And Application

Decide Whether You Need A Portable Radiant Unit For Small Areas, A Ventless Blue Flame Or Infrared Heater For Easier Installation, Or A Vented Unit Heater For Larger Spaces. Portable Units Offer Flexibility; Vented Units Provide Higher Capacity And Safer Combustion Exhaust Control.

2. BTU Output And Coverage

Match Heater Output To Room Size. As A Rough Guide: 4,000–9,000 BTU Suits Small Rooms; 30,000 BTU Is Common For Medium Garages Or Workshops; 80,000 BTU And Above Works For Large Workshops And Detached Buildings. Consider Insulation, Ceiling Height, And Air Leakage When Estimating Required Output.

3. Venting And Installation Requirements

Vented Heaters Require Flue Or Direct Venting To The Outside And Typically Need Professional Installation. Ventless Heaters Do Not Need A Chimney But Depend On Room Air For Combustion; Verify Local Codes And Ensure Adequate Ventilation.

4. Fuel Type And Availability

Confirm Availability Of Natural Gas Or Propane At Your Location. Some Units Are Convertible Or Available In Both Fuel Types; Others Are Fixed To A Single Fuel. Propane Portables Offer Mobility, While Natural Gas Units Offer Continuous Operation When Connected.

5. Safety Features

Look For Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS), Tip-Over Switches, Flame Failure Protection, And Certified Safety Listings. For Indoor Use, Safety Interlocks And Clear Operating Instructions Are Critical.

6. Controls And Comfort

Evaluate Whether You Need Built-In Thermostat Control Or Manual Settings. Thermostat-Controlled Units Maintain Temperature More Consistently, Which Can Improve Comfort And Energy Use Over Time.

7. Efficiency And Heat Delivery

Different Technologies Deliver Heat Differently. Infrared/Radiant Heaters Warm People And Objects Quickly, Often Improving Perceived Comfort. Blue Flame Heaters Tend To Warm Air More Directly. Consider Which Method Matches Your Use Case.

8. Installation Space And Clearances

Check Unit Dimensions, Minimum Clearance From Combustible Materials, And Mounting Requirements. Ceiling-Mounted Or Wall-Mounted Units Require Different Clearances Than Floor Or Portable Models.

9. Noise, Power Requirements, And Controls

Some Unit Heaters Use Fans And Require 120V Power; others Operate Without Electricity. Consider Noise Tolerance For Living Areas Versus Workshops. For units requiring power, confirm circuit availability.

10. Maintenance And Serviceability

Assess How Easy It Is To Access Components For Cleaning, Igniter Replacement, Or Vent Inspection. Regular Maintenance Extends Service Life And Preserves Safe Operation.

11. Codes, Permits, And Local Regulations

Consult Local Building Codes About Indoor Combustion Appliances, Ventless Units, And Required Permits. Some Jurisdictions Restrict Ventless Heaters In Bedrooms Or Living Areas.

12. Warranty And Manufacturer Support

Review Manufacturer Warranty Terms And Availability Of Replacement Parts Or Authorized Service Providers. A Clear Warranty And Good Support Network Can Reduce Long-Term Ownership Costs.

13. Comparison Perspectives

• Portability vs. Permanence: Portable Propane Units Offer Flexibility But Require Cylinder Management. Permanently Installed Natural Gas Units Offer Continuous Operation.
• Ventless vs. Vented: Ventless Is Easier To Install But Requires Ventilation Planning; Vented Offers Safer Exhaust Control For High-Capacity Needs.
• Radiant vs. Convective Heat: Radiant Heaters Provide Direct Heat To People/Objects; Convective Systems Heat Air And May Be Better For Whole-Room Comfort.
• Capacity vs. Efficiency: Higher BTU Units Heat Larger Spaces But May Be Overkill In Small Rooms; Match Output To Need To Avoid Short Cycling Or Excess Fuel Use.

Use These Criteria To Narrow Choices Based On Your Space, Fuel Access, And Safety Requirements. Always Follow Manufacturer Instructions And Local Codes When Installing Or Operating A Gas Heater.