Best Vented Gas Heater for Efficient Home Heating

Choosing A Vented Gas Heater means balancing room size, fuel type, venting requirements, and safety features. Below is a quick summary of the five vented gas heaters reviewed in this guide to help you compare core specs at a glance.

Model	BTU	Approx. Coverage	Type
Comfort Glow 25,000 BTU Direct Vent Natural Gas Wall Heater (Large)	25,000 BTU	Up To 825 Sq. Ft.	Direct Vent Wall Heater
Comfort Glow 17,000 BTU Direct Vent Liquid Propane Wall Heater (Large)	17,000 BTU	Up To 570 Sq. Ft.	Direct Vent Propane
Comfort Glow 17,000 BTU Direct Vent Natural Gas Wall Heater (Large)	17,000 BTU	Up To 570 Sq. Ft.	Direct Vent Natural Gas
Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1 30,000 BTU Natural Gas Infrared Wall Heater	Up To 30,000 BTU	Up To 1,000 Sq. Ft.	Infrared Direct Vent Style
Rinnai EX22DTWN Direct Vent Wall Furnace (21,500 BTU)	21,500 BTU	Typical Room Heating	Direct Vent Wall Furnace

Comfort Glow 25,000 BTU Direct Vent Natural Gas Wall Heater

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This Comfort Glow unit Is A 25,000 BTU direct vent natural gas heater designed to warm larger rooms up to about 825 square feet. It uses a sealed-burn system which draws combustion air from outside and exhausts to the outdoors, reducing indoor air contamination and improving safety in enclosed spaces.

Key features include a Matchless Piezo Ignition, an integrated pressure regulator and a safety pilot that stops gas flow if the pilot is extinguished. The space-saving wall-mount design is suitable for installations requiring a compact footprint (dimensions: 26.5 H x 32.25 W x 8.75 D).

Because this model is direct vent, it provides improved combustion efficiency and prevents room air from being used in the combustion process. It is appropriate where venting to the outdoors is feasible and where higher output is needed for open living areas or larger rooms.

Comfort Glow 17,000 BTU Direct Vent Liquid Propane Gas Wall Heater

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This Comfort Glow model Is A 17,000 BTU vented propane heater sized for medium-to-large rooms, with an estimated coverage of up to 570 square feet. It shares the same sealed-burn safety approach, making it a vented alternative for homes using liquid propane fuel.

Safety and ignition are handled via a Matchless Piezo Ignition and a pilot with a built-in pressure regulator that prevents gas flow if the pilot goes out. The heater is designed for wall mounting with compact dimensions (20 H x 27.3 W x 6.5 D) to save floor space.

As a direct vent propane option, this heater is well suited for locations where natural gas is not available and where venting can be routed outdoors to maintain indoor air quality and combustion efficiency.

Comfort Glow 17,000 BTU Direct Vent Natural Gas Wall Heater

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This Comfort Glow 17,000 BTU natural gas model is similar in output and design to the propane variant but configured for natural gas supply. It is intended to heat spaces up to 570 square feet while maintaining a sealed combustion system.

The unit includes Matchless Piezo Ignition, a safety pilot with pressure regulation, and a wall-mount form factor (20 H x 27.3 W x 6.5 D). The direct vent design reduces indoor pollutant concerns associated with unvented appliances.

Installers commonly prefer direct vent natural gas units where a dedicated exterior vent can be routed, and where maintaining indoor air quality is a priority for households with children, pets, or occupants sensitive to indoor combustion byproducts.

Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1 30,000 BTU Natural Gas Infrared Wall Heater

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The Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1 Is A 30,000 BTU natural gas infrared heater that uses infrared radiation to warm objects and people directly rather than solely heating air. Its radiant method is effective for spaces up to about 1,000 square feet, depending on layout and insulation.

Infrared technology provides targeted, immediate warmth to surfaces, which can be advantageous in high-ceiling rooms, garages, or poorly insulated areas where warming objects and occupants is faster than warming the entire air volume.

Note that this model is marketed as natural gas ready and emphasizes radiant heating performance. It is best suited where direct radiant heating benefits are desired and where venting or exhaust routing aligns with installation requirements.

Rinnai EX22DTWN Direct Vent Wall Furnace, 21,500 BTU

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The Rinnai EX22DTWN Is A direct vent wall furnace offering 21,500 BTU output with advanced modulating technology to match heat output to demand. The design targets even room temperatures and reduced cycling, which can improve comfort and fuel efficiency.

Safety features include a cool-to-the-touch cabinet and self-diagnostic electronics. The unit is positioned as an energy-efficient space heater with controls for consistent temperature management and features intended for family environments.

Because the EX22DTWN modulates output it may provide smoother temperature control and reduced fuel use versus fixed-output units in spaces where variable demand is common. It is best for homeowners prioritizing efficiency and even heating distribution.

Buying Guide For Vented Gas Heaters

Selecting the right vented gas heater requires assessing several technical and practical factors. The sections below outline the key considerations to compare units objectively.

1. Fuel Type And Availability

• Natural Gas vs. Propane: Confirm the fuel supply at the installation site. Propane units are suitable where natural gas lines are absent, while natural gas models typically connect to municipal or utility supplies.
• Conversion Restrictions: Some models are fuel-specific and do not allow conversion between fuels without factory parts or are not permitted to be converted—verify manufacturer guidance.

2. BTU Output And Room Coverage

• Match BTU To Room Size: Higher BTU ratings indicate greater heating capacity. Estimate room square footage and use manufacturer coverage guidance as a baseline.
• Insulation And Layout Impact: Ceiling height, insulation levels, windows, and open floor plans will affect effective coverage—factor these into unit selection.

3. Venting Requirements

• Direct Venting: Draws combustion air from outside and vents exhaust outdoors. This improves indoor air quality and safety but requires a vent pathway through an exterior wall or roof.
• Installation Constraints: Check for compatible exterior wall locations, clearances, and local codes—vent routing can add complexity and cost.

4. Heating Method

• Radiant (Infrared) vs. Convection: Radiant heaters warm objects and people directly and are effective in high-ceiling or drafty spaces. Convection/direct vent wall furnaces warm air and are suited to maintaining even room temperature.
• Decide Based On Use Case: For garages or workshop zones, infrared may be faster. For living spaces, convection or modulating furnaces may provide more consistent comfort.

5. Safety Features

• Sealed-Burn/Sealed Combustion: Reduces combustion byproducts entering the room and is important for indoor air quality.
• Safety Pilot & Pressure Regulators: Shut off gas flow if the pilot is extinguished; look for reliable ignition systems.
• Cool-To-The-Touch Cabinets: Useful for homes with children or pets to reduce accidental burns.

6. Efficiency And Controls

• Modulating Output: Units with variable modulation match heat demand and can improve fuel efficiency and comfort by avoiding frequent on/off cycling.
• Thermostat Compatibility: Confirm whether the unit supports integrated thermostats or external control systems for precise temperature management.

7. Installation And Maintenance

• Professional Installation: Vented gas heaters generally require certified installation to meet safety codes and ensure proper venting and gas connections.
• Service Access: Consider units with straightforward access panels and widely available replacement parts to ease maintenance.

8. Noise, Aesthetics, And Placement

• Operational Noise: Some vented units run quietly while others produce blower or burner noise—review specifications or demos for noise-sensitive spaces.
• Wall Space And Clearance: Verify dimensions and required clearances. Space-saving wall-mounted designs are beneficial where floor space is limited.

9. Regulatory And Local Code Considerations

• Permits And Codes: Local building codes may have specific venting, combustion air, and appliance installation requirements. Confirm permit needs before purchase.
• Altitude And Performance: Some heaters have altitude limits or adjustments—check manufacturer specs for high-elevation installations.

10. Comparison Perspectives

• Performance vs. Coverage: Compare BTU and coverage metrics across similar products to identify the best match for room size.
• Safety Vs. Convenience: Weigh sealed-burn safety and venting complexity against convenience features like easy ignition and compact size.
• Cost To Install vs. Operating Efficiency: Higher-efficiency, modulating models may cost more to install but can reduce long-term fuel consumption; factor installation complexity into total cost of ownership.