Choosing the right gas heater for a mobile home requires balancing size, venting, and safety features. Below is a concise comparison of five gas heaters that fit common mobile home needs, including vented wall units, ventless infrared, and blue flame options.
| Product | Type | BTU | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Glow 17,000 BTU Direct Vent | Direct Vent Wall Heater | 17,000 | Up To 570 Sq. Ft. |
| Comfort Glow 25,000 BTU Direct Vent | Direct Vent Wall Heater | 25,000 | Up To 825 Sq. Ft. |
| Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1 30,000 BTU | Infrared Wall Heater | 30,000 | Up To 1,000 Sq. Ft. |
| ProCom MN300TPA-B Ventless Infrared 30,000 BTU | Ventless Infrared / Thermostat | 30,000 | Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft. |
| ProCom MN300TBA-B Ventless Blue Flame 30,000 BTU | Ventless Blue Flame / Thermostat | 30,000 | Up To 1,400 Sq. Ft. |
Comfort Glow 17,000 BTU Direct Vent Natural Gas Wall Heater
This direct vent natural gas wall heater provides a sealed combustion system designed to draw combustion air from outside and vent combustion products directly outdoors. The unit is rated at 17,000 BTU and lists coverage up to 570 sq. ft.
- Sealed Burn System: Limits indoor combustion exposure by isolating the flame.
- Matchless Piezo Ignition: Push-button start that does not rely on household electricity.
- Safety Pilot With Pressure Regulator: Stops gas flow if pilot is extinguished.
- Space-Saving Design: Wall-mountable, compact footprint (20 H x 27.3 W x 6.5 D).
This model is geared toward smaller mobile home areas or single rooms where a vented combustion system is preferred for indoor air quality control.
Comfort Glow 25,000 BTU Direct Vent Natural Gas Wall Heater
The 25,000 BTU direct vent model increases capacity for larger mobile home sections or combined living spaces, with listed coverage up to 825 sq. ft. Like the 17k model, it uses a sealed burn system and integrated safety pilot.
- Higher Output: 25,000 BTU for larger room coverage.
- Sealed Burn And Safety Pilot: Maintains combustion isolation and gas shutoff on pilot failure.
- Wall-Mount Design: Installs on exterior walls for venting; unit dimensions are 26.5 H x 32.25 W x 8.75 D.
This heater is suitable when greater heating capacity is needed but a vented system is still preferred to avoid indoor combustion byproducts.
Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1 30,000 BTU Natural Gas Infrared Wall Heater
The Dyna-Glo IR30NMDG-1 is an infrared wall heater that radiates heat to objects and people first, rather than primarily heating air. It is rated at 30,000 BTU with coverage up to 1,000 sq. ft.
- Infrared Technology: Radiant heat warms surfaces and occupants, useful in drafty or high-ceiling spaces.
- Natural Gas Ready: Designed for natural gas; fuel conversion is not permitted per the product note.
- High Output: 30,000 BTU suitable for larger rooms or open-plan mobile home areas.
Infrared units can feel warmer at lower air temperatures because they directly heat people and objects. This model is relevant where venting options or preferences favor a non-ventless radiant system.
ProCom MN300TPA-B Ventless Natural Gas Infrared Space Heater
The ProCom MN300TPA-B is a ventless infrared space heater offering 30,000 BTU output and thermostat control, with manufacturer coverage claims up to 1,400 sq. ft. It includes mounting hardware and base feet for floor placement or wall mounting.
- Ventless Infrared: Delivers radiant heat without a dedicated vent; combustion products enter the living space as allowed by ventless code where permitted.
- Thermostat Control: High/Medium/Low settings for temperature management.
- Flexible Installation: Wall mount or floor placement with included hardware.
- Modern Profile: Slim design intended to fit residential interiors.
Ventless heaters are efficient at delivering all heat to the room but require careful consideration of ventilation, indoor air quality, and local codes before installation in a mobile home.
ProCom MN300TBA-B Ventless Natural Gas Blue Flame Space Heater
The ProCom MN300TBA-B is a ventless blue flame heater rated at 30,000 BTU with thermostat control and coverage up to 1,400 sq. ft. It is available with wall mount and base feet for flexible placement.
- Blue Flame Technology: Produces convective heat that warms air and surfaces.
- Thermostat Control: Offers High/Medium/Low thermostat settings for comfort regulation.
- Installation Options: Can be mounted on a wall or placed on the floor with included feet.
- No Electricity Required (select models): Some ProCom blue flame units can operate without household electric power; confirm model specifics.
Blue flame ventless units typically heat air more uniformly than pure radiant models and can be effective in whole-room heating scenarios where ventless operation is permitted.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Mobile Home Gas Heater
Selecting a gas heater for a mobile home involves evaluating heating capacity, venting requirements, safety features, HVAC compatibility, and local code compliance. The following factors outline core decisions to guide purchases.
1. Heat Output And Room Size
Match the heater’s BTU rating to the floor area and insulation level. Lower BTU units (15k–20k) suit small rooms; mid-range (25k) covers larger rooms; high-output (30k) units address open floor plans or combined spaces. Consider insulation, ceiling height, and windows when estimating required capacity.
2. Vented vs Ventless Systems
Direct Vent (Vented) heaters draw combustion air from outside and exhaust outdoors, improving indoor air quality. Ventless heaters are efficient because all heat remains indoors, but combustion byproducts enter the living space. Check local codes and mobile home manufacturer guidelines before choosing a ventless unit.
3. Infrared vs Blue Flame
Infrared (Radiant) heaters warm people and objects first and can feel more comfortable at lower air temps. They are useful in drafty rooms. Blue Flame (Convective) heaters warm the air, producing more uniform room temperatures. Choose based on comfort preference and room layout.
4. Safety Features
Look for sealed burn systems, pilot safety shutoffs/pressure regulators, oxygen depletion sensors (ODS), and reliable ignition systems (piezo or electronic). These features reduce risks related to gas leaks and combustion byproduct exposure.
5. Thermostat And Control Options
Thermostat control improves comfort and efficiency. Manual high/medium/low settings are basic; integrated thermostats can maintain set temperatures. Confirm whether the unit requires electricity for controls or operates fully off-gas.
6. Installation And Venting Requirements
Wall-mount units require an appropriate exterior wall and clearances. Vented models need correct vent runs and exterior terminations. Ventless units need clear floor space and adherence to spacing and combustion air guidelines. Professional installation is recommended to meet mobile home structural and safety requirements.
7. Indoor Air Quality And Ventilation
Ventless heaters can increase indoor moisture and combustion byproducts. Ensure adequate ventilation, use carbon monoxide detectors, and follow manufacturer guidance for fresh air intake and maximum run times.
8. Fuel Type And Conversion
Confirm the fuel type (natural gas vs. propane). Some units are model-specific and do not permit conversion. If conversion is possible, it often requires certified kits and professional service.
9. Mobile Home Compatibility And Codes
Mobile homes may have specific HVAC and structural constraints. Verify that a heater is approved for mobile home installation and complies with local and state codes, including venting and ventless allowances.
10. Maintenance And Longevity
Regular inspection of burners, pilot assemblies, vents, and controls prolongs service life and maintains safe operation. Choose units with accessible components and clear maintenance instructions.
Comparison Perspectives To Consider
- Efficiency vs Venting: Ventless units use all generated heat but may impact indoor air quality; vented units exhaust combustion gases but lose some heat to the outdoors.
- Immediate Comfort vs Uniform Heating: Infrared provides immediate radiant warmth; blue flame tends to heat the room more evenly over time.
- Installation Complexity: Direct vent units often require more complex wall penetrations and venting hardware; ventless units have simpler physical installs but stricter code checks.
- Safety Trade-Offs: Sealed combustion systems minimize indoor contaminants; ventless systems rely on ODS and proper ventilation protocols.