What is a portable gas heater and who is it for?
A portable gas heater is a freestanding heater that runs on bottled gas, usually propane or butane, which the Gas Safe Register calls LPG. You wheel it into a room, connect a cylinder and it warms that room without needing a wall socket.
That is handy in a cold spare room, a garage or a rural home. It is also where the Do Nothing Default bites. Plenty of us dig a portable gas heater out of the cupboard each October and light it without checking a thing. A few minutes of checking is cheaper than regretting it.
Key takeaways
- Check the heater, hose and cylinder before every use, not just the first time each winter.
- Make sure the room has plenty of ventilation and fit a carbon monoxide alarm.
- Change cylinders in the open air and keep spares upright and outside where you can.
- Work out the cost per unit of energy before you assume a portable gas heater is the cheap option.
Is a portable gas heater safe to use indoors?
It can be, but only if you follow the maker’s instructions and keep the room well ventilated. The Gas Safe Register’s advice is blunt: always make sure there is plenty of ventilation before you use a gas appliance.
The reason is carbon monoxide. Gas Safe describes it as an extremely poisonous gas, and it is especially dangerous because you cannot see, smell or taste it. London Fire Brigade adds that carbon monoxide can make you drowsy and less able to escape, which is why it says to fit an alarm in any room with a gas heater.
So if your portable gas heater is the only warm thing in a small, closed room, that is the moment to stop and open a window. Read the instruction booklet for your model too, because it will say where the heater is meant to be used.
What should you check before lighting a portable gas heater?
Run through this short list each time. Gas Safe’s checklist for portable LPG appliances is the backbone of it.
- The cylinder. If the seal looks damaged, or the cylinder is rusty or deteriorated, do not use it.
- The fit. Make sure it is the right type of cylinder for your heater and that it is inserted correctly. Never force the retaining lever into place.
- The hose and connections. Gas Safe says to replace any hose that is damaged or showing signs of wear, stiffness or cracking, and to keep hoses clear of hot surfaces.
- The smell test. If you smell or hear gas escaping, or the lever is giving you trouble, do not try to light the heater. Call a Gas Safe registered engineer instead.
- The instructions. Read them before first use so you know the settings and limits for your model.
It is also worth checking that your heater is not on a recall list, as London Fire Brigade suggests. And never install, repair or service a gas appliance yourself. For gas, the person doing it should be on the Gas Safe Register.
How do you change a portable gas heater cylinder safely?
Start by turning off all cylinder valves or gas taps before you disconnect anything. Gas Safe says cylinders should be changed in the open air, and London Fire Brigade says the same for gas heater cylinders. If you really have to change one indoors, ventilate every room by opening windows and doors.
Do not over tighten the joints. When a cylinder is empty, do not bin it. Gas Safe says to return used cylinders to your supplier. London Fire Brigade also asks you to make sure empty cylinders are collected regularly rather than left to pile up.
Where should a portable gas heater go in the room?
Think distance and stability. London Fire Brigade says to sit at least one metre away from any heater, because it could set light to your clothes or chair. Keep every portable heater well away from bedding, blankets, curtains and furniture, and never use one for drying clothes.
Where it is appropriate, secure the heater against a wall so it cannot topple over. If you need to move your portable gas heater, switch it off and let it cool first. People with mobility issues are at particular risk of tripping or falling onto a heater, so placement matters even more in their homes.
Where to keep spare cylinders
Gas Safe says LPG cylinders should be secure and stable, stored and used in a ventilated area, and never kept in a basement. London Fire Brigade adds that spare propane cylinders should be stored upright and outside wherever possible, and never under the stairs or in a cupboard with electric meters or equipment.
Is a portable gas heater cheaper than an electric heater?
Not automatically. We are not going to quote a single pence figure here, because cylinder prices vary by supplier and your electricity rate depends on your tariff and where you live. The answer is a sum you can do yourself in a couple of minutes.
Take the price you pay for a cylinder and divide it by the kilowatt hours of heat it contains, which your supplier or the heater’s manual should state. Then compare that with the unit rate on your electricity bill. Our electric heater cost guide walks through the electric side of the sum.
Cost is only part of the picture. A portable gas heater needs cylinders, storage and ventilation, and it adds safety checks to your routine. If your electricity tariff is the bigger issue, it is worth looking at how to choose the best energy tariff before you buy new kit. Our wider guide to the best way of heating your home covers the other options.
If bills are getting beyond your budget, London Fire Brigade points to Citizens Advice for information on grants and benefits, and says you can also contact your energy company for advice.
Frequently asked questions about a portable gas heater
- Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm with a portable gas heater?
- Gas Safe recommends an audible carbon monoxide alarm for gas appliances, and London Fire Brigade says to fit one in any room with a gas heater. An alarm is a back up, not a replacement for ventilation and safe use.
- Can I store spare gas cylinders in a cupboard?
- London Fire Brigade says spare propane cylinders should be stored upright and outside whenever possible, and never in basements, under stairs or in cupboards containing electric meters or equipment.
- Where do I take empty cylinders?
- Gas Safe says to return used cylinders to your supplier rather than throwing them away. Liquid Gas UK or your nearest stockist can tell you more.
- Who can repair a portable gas heater?
- Never repair or service gas appliances yourself. London Fire Brigade says anyone who does the work should be registered with the Gas Safe Register.
For the full safety checklists, see the Gas Safe Register’s LPG advice and London Fire Brigade’s guidance on portable heaters.
