Home Improvement and the Gas Cylinder: Alternative Heat Sources
by Guest on Mar 22, 2013
Home improvement sometimes requires the heating system to be turned off for a while, particularly when the major renovation is in progress. This is all very well, but what of the people who live in the home; or the workers who are doing their best to make it into a new place? Heat is essential, for comfort, for health and hygiene, and also (in the long term) for keeping damp out of the atmosphere.
A space heater or blast heater uses a gas cylinder to create a hot jet of air, normally inside a long metal tube. The tube has three functions. It shields the flame from air currents that might put it out; it directs the heat in a long stream towards the center of the room; and it acts as a cylindrical radiator as well, heating up and sending a second wave of radiant heat out into the wider space.
Heat rises, as we all know – so when the hot air stream focused by the cylinder reaches a central point in the room it begins to dissipate. The result can be uneven areas of heat and less heat – but it is still preferable to being cold.
In some properties, central heating doesn’t exist or is not an option. In cases like this, the gas cylinder can be used to fuel portable or static fires. A portable fire may also be used in homes where central heating exists, but which require extra heating in winter months.
Extra heat may also be required in offices. The gas cylinder fire can be used on occasions where the office central heating system is too big for the requirement, too – for example when only one or two members of staff need to be present, and so only a small part of the office needs to be heated.
In all of its applications, the gas cylinder is perhaps safer than a non-user might think. We have all been taught, quite rightly, to fear gas, Yet we live in buildings where gas is piped straight into the home without batting an eyelid. So what’s the difference?
In essence, until you have used a gas cylinder and understand just how safe and easy it is, the mind can’t help returning to the warnings plastered all over it, and all the horror stories you ever heard when firemen came into school assemblies to scare the willies out of you. Visions of exploding cylinders, or canisters belching out streams of fire you can’t shut off, override the counsel that thousands upon thousands of UK residents every day use gas cylinders with no accidents or ill effects.
To allay the fear of the novice, then, a couple of health and safety tips:
The gas cylinder has an open and shut position. Opening the valve usually requires a combination of pushing, turning and locking almost impossible to be performed by a child. The gas cap connecting a hose from a fire or heater to the cylinder must be locked firmly into the cylinder head for gas to come out – so if the cap gets knocked off, no leakage occurs.
A gas bottle is never filed completely, which allows the liquid gas inside plenty of room to expand and contract as its temperature changes.
Gas bottles should always be firmly secured – when they are full they can be very heavy, particularly the big ones.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
66116 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
66046 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
60215 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
41101 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
25750 Views
Latest Articles
6 Water Heater Problems to Never Ignore
You know how frustrating it is to take a cold shower in the middle of winter or for the hot water to run out before you're even halfway through. To...
on Aug 14, 2022
How Land Clearing Can Improve Your Property Value
When you want to improve your property value, land clearing is a great option to consider. This process can remove any trees, undergrowth, or...
on Aug 10, 2022
Residential andCommercial HVAC Service: What’s the Difference
HVAC denotes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC systems assist in regulating the environmental temperatures and humidity while...
on Aug 3, 2022
Top 6 Things to Look for When Hiring a Professional Plumber
Whether you need to replace bathtub faucets or unclog drainage systems and kitchen sinks, a plumber does it all. However, look for a professional...
on Jul 21, 2022
Water Leaks
Water leaks are one of the most common causes of home damage and are one of the most expensive types of water damage to repair. If you are unsure...
on Jul 20, 2022
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Juan Plumbing - Learn about SCAMs
on Sep 17, 2021
Hire Contractors / Estimates

I can firmly say, I'm only trying to be an advocate for a neighbor that is a DISABLED SENIOR who was taken advantage of in this SCAM. I feel the...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 236
- Real Estate / Finance — 190
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 181
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 140
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 116
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 114
- Doors / Garages — 112
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
How a Convection Microwave Works
If you haven’t looked at microwave ovens for a few years, you may not even realize that there is such a thing as a convection microwave. You have...
Heating Your Home with a Wood Stove
Heating a house with wood, partly or totally, is environmentally and economically beneficial. Wood is a renewable fuel source and if harvested...
5 Tips to Redecorate Your Kitchen
Redecorating your kitchen can be both expensive and time consuming, especially if you choose to take on the task independently. However, by simply...
The Five Most Important Questions to Ask Your Homebuilder
Buying a home will always be a huge decision as it is a major investment, and for many of us signifies the turning of another page as we go through...
Options for Cleaning the Air in Your Home
Every day, we are exposed to chemicals, toxins, dust, and dirt in our air. The air we breathe is required to continue to live, and it is a huge...