If you’re planning to warm inside the cold winter air with a propane patio heater gas heater, it’s crucial to be aware of how to make use of this device. Matthew Griffith, chief of the prevention department of Montreal’s Fire Department suggests that customers be looking for products that have safety certifications.
The patio heater natural gas heater must be securely attached and there shouldn’t be any fire-prone material in the vicinity.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are mechanical devices we drive by daily in our cars and homes without giving a second thought. Their invention, made 135 years ago, has changed the way propane and natural gas are used for cooking, heating and welding with oxy-fuel. The basic function of regulators is the same, however there are many variations. The regulator utilizes a pressure sensing element, often a fabric-reinforced diaphragm to regulate the position of a valve plug and limit the flow of gas.
The diaphragm is connected to the valve stem with a rod that runs through the set spring, through the diaphragm and into the valve. This mechanism senses the gas pressure in the house or pipeline and adjusts the valve plug’s position to match the demand. As the consumption of gas in the home decreases as does the pressure between the regulator and the house. The diaphragm is deflated downward and the valve plug is moved closer to the orifice in order to stop flow. As the demand for gas increases in the home the valve opens up more, thereby increasing the flow.
The valve plug stays closed until the demand of the house decreases. The valve is then opened to increase the flow. This process, referred to as sizing, is the fundamental operation of the regulator.
When the valve is opened the pressure builds up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the port for hose outlet with the venturi tube (see image). This pressure is controlled by the adjustment of a handle or screw located on the exterior of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise it moves up and reduces the pressure. However, when it is turned clockwise, it lowers the pressure.
When choosing a regulator for pressure take into consideration that the nominal maximum and minimum pressure is determined by commercial standards, not the pressure of the gas at the supply line. The regulator should also be compatible with the hose you are using. Find a hose that is whistle-free, with alternating rings of different sizes to stop resonant sounds from accumulating along the length of the hose.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples are based on the idea that different metals in contact at their ends can generate a voltage, even if they are at wildly different temperatures. They are used to detect temperatures that differ between points of a circuit and convert that information into an electronic signal that can be read by a thermocouple gauge or other instrument. Thermocouples are superior to other sensors, such as thermistors. They are able to measure extremely high temperatures and operate in corrosive conditions.
A pair of dissimilar metals is joined at one end of the sensor to form the measuring (aka hot) junction, and the other end is kept at a constant temperature, referred to as the reference (aka cold) junction. Thermocouples operate as passive devices, meaning they don’t require power in order to function. The voltage produced is proportional to the temperature difference between the measuring junction and the reference junction. Thermocouple manufacturers and metrology standard organizations like NIST provide tables of reference for the function E (T) displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) for each specific thermocouple type.
There are three types of thermocouple connections: exposed, grounded and welding. The exposed type of junction is a bit higher than the protective sheath and offers the fastest response. A thermocouple that is grounded is recommended for testing in corrosive environments. A thermocouple that is welded is physically isolated from the sheath by mgO powder to prevent penetration of moisture or gas that could cause errors.
A thermocouple welded to a wire offers the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use it in abrasive environments with pressures of up to 3000 psi. If a thermocouple is damaged, it’s usually caused by a lack in the polarity. If the sheath hasn’t been polarized, both ends of the thermocouple might have different voltages at their measurement junction. This could result in an inaccurate reading, or even damage the instrument. A faulty thermocouple can also be caused by an improperly calibrated or installed sensor.
Thermostat
Gas patio outdoor gas heater heaters unlike electric heaters which are hardwired to the wall, are portable and run on natural gas patio heaters near me or propane. The thermostats regulate the flow energy to these cylinders in order that they don’t overflow however they can still provide warmth when needed. The thermostat is able to detect the temperature of air passing through it. The thermostat can also detect when the room is at a comfortable temperature and turns off the heating.
The most common type of thermostat is one that is digital. It utilizes a microcontroller that converts a fluctuating electrical resistance into a reading of temperature. It can do this much more accurately than older, mercury switch thermostats which used a mercury coil with three wires that would move depending on the temperature. This allowed it to tilt the mercury switch connected to the electrical circuit of an air conditioning or heater unit, turning it on or off.
Mechanical thermostats are another type. This has a small patio gas cylinder filled with wax that starts to melt when it reaches a temperature that is perhaps 180 degrees F (different thermostats open up at different temperatures). A rod connected to the valve presses into the wax, and opens the valve when it’s hot. As the room cools down the wax shrinks and the rod is pulled into the cylinder to close the valve.
There are thermostats that can be programmed to alter at different times during the day. You can save energy by setting your heating to be turned off and on while you are at work, or sleeping, instead of having it always on. You can also set the thermostat to come on earlier, so that your home is a comfortable temperature when you arrive back from work or school. Thermostats usually come with a feature known as a heat anticipator, which will stop the heater from coming on too early. This is because certain parts of the home are at the desired temperature before the thermostat is set.
Pilot Light
Many newer heating systems, homes, and furnaces have done away completely of pilot lights. However, older homes still use them to ignite gas in the burner chamber. It is important to know how to safely to relight the pilot light in case it ever goes out.
A pilot light generates tiny flames that heat a thermocouple. This thermocouple generates electricity, and keeps the gas valve open. When the pilot flame stops the thermocouple cools and stops producing electricity, thus closing the valve. Pilot lights are used on a majority of propane and natural gas appliances, such as water heaters.
To relight a pilot, you must first turn off the gas in the appliance. Then, you must remove any doors or panels that could hinder getting to the pilot light. Follow the instructions on the front of the light to open the pilot light tube. After you’ve relit the pilot switch, turn the knob of the gas valve back to “on”.
The main reason for leaving a pilot light on is for safety reasons. If it’s accidentally shut off, the gas that is constantly venting out of the pilot light tube can build up in your home until a spark from a cigarette lighter or static electricity ignites it, causing an explosion. To prevent this, the pilot tubes come with a built in cutoff valve.
A constantly burning pilot light is not just dangerous, but it also wastes energy. A pilot light burns between $7 and $18 worth of gasoline every month, based on various studies. This fuel is wasted and puts a heavier burden on the air conditioner during the summer. Another issue with the pilot light is that it can attract spiders, which could spin webs that can clog pilot tubes. Also, a constant flame can emit trace amounts of the mercaptan compound, which creates the rotten egg smell found in natural gas. If you’re worried about these issues, you should consider buying a remote controlled gas fire or replacing your old fireplace with a new efficient model.
