Mr. Heater MH170FAVT 170,000-BTU Forced-Air Propane Heater
The MH170FAV is the second-most powerful of Mr. Heater's line of propane forced-air heaters for larger jobs (see the MH125FAVT and the MH400FAVT). The heater gives you up to 170,000 Btu--enough to heat 4,000 square feet. Each heater in the line shares the same basic features, including an automatic shutoff with loss of flame or power supply and a high-output fan that circulates heat quickly. Hooking the heater up to the 20-pound propane cylinder (not included) is easy, and the 10-foot hose and regulator are included. CSA certified. One-year limited warranty.--Josh DettweilerWhat's in the BoxHeater (outer shell, middle cylinder, orifice assembly, flame holder assembly, high limit switch, orifice nut, handle, handle mounting clips, set screw, nyloc fan, motor assembly, inlet/motor mounting grille, POL excess flow, valve, 3/8mpt x 3/8sae flr, goyen solenoid valve, fitting close nipple, burn rate, adjustment valve, elbow fitting, 3/8mpt x 1/2 sae flr, fuel tube assembly, flame sensor spark plug, spark plug nut, thermostat mounting bracket, thermostat assembly, loop clamp, 5/16, potted flame control, power cord assembly, terminal board, bushing strain relief, thermostat knob, burn rate adjustment knob, control box, base, control box, elevation plate, elevation knob, 5/8 snap bushing), 10-foot hose, regulator, operating instructions and owner's manualFive Tips for Buying a HeaterChoosing a space heater is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Let's break it down a little to make the process easier.What are the different types of space heaters?Radiant heatersemit infrared radiation that directly warms the objects in front of the heaters (rather than the surrounding air). If you only need heat by a desk or in a small section of a room, a radiant heater is quiet and will use very little power.Forced-air heatersuse a fan to blow air that has been warmed by metal or ceramic heating elements. A forced-air heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but can be noisy.Convection heatersdraw cold air from the floor; the air is warmed by heating coils and emitted from the top of the heater. A convection heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but also can be noisy.Radiatorswork by heating oil enclosed in a reservoir, gradually heating the surrounding air. If heating speed isn't an issue, you might want to opt for a radiator. These are extremely quiet and effective--perfect for bedrooms.Should I buy an electric or a combustion model?If you want a heater that will be available in emergencies, or that can heat areas larger than a single room, choose a "combustion" model--one that is powered by a gas or fuel like propane, kerosene, natural gas, or diesel. Which fuel type you choose depends largely on convenience and local availability. For example, diesel would be appropriate for a heater you take with you on long car trips.How powerful a heater do I need?Heaters are rated by BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit (the amount of heat needed to heat one pound of water by 1 degree F). To find out how many BTU you need:Calculate the volume of the space to be heated by multiplying square footage by height.Multiply that number by 4 if your insulation is poor, 3 if it's average, or 2 if it's good.The resulting number is a ballpark figure for how many BTU you'll need.Do space heaters cost a lot to operate?As a general rule, electric space heaters are more expensive to use than combustion models. To ensure energy efficiency, a thermostat is a must-have feature for any heater. For radiant heaters, models with a 360 degree heating surface can heat larger spaces. If you need a forced-air heater, models with ceramic elements tend to be more efficient.Are space heaters a fire hazard?Space heaters are implicated in about 25,000 residential fires every year. To ensure proper safety, always follow the manufacturer's usage instructions and fill out the warranty card to receive informational updates from the manufacturer. Also, look for extra safety features such as an automatic shutoff switch that can shut down the unit if, for example, it gets upended. In addition, choose a model where the heating element is adequately enclosed within the unit.