Keeping Your HVAC System In Great Condition

Heating Small Spaces? Information To Help You Select Your Best Option

2 November 2020

Herbert Franklin

The tiny home lifestyle was first thought to be a fad that would quickly fade away. Instead, it has grown into a full-fledged movement where people choose to eschew the idea of the traditional, large single-family home. Instead, this new breed of homeowner opts to live in a very small space, often no more than 400-500 square feet. Some of these ultra-small homes are traditional tiny homes, built on a wheeled trailer so they can be moved from location to location. Others choose to build a small structure or purchase a pre-made portable shed, the interior of which they custom-finish to fit the needs of their family. 

Choosing a very small structure for a home can leading to challenges in selecting the right heating system. If you are living tiny or soon will be, this information will help you solve some of the challenges you may face when permanently occupying a small space. 

Safety concerns with gas heaters

No matter the size of the home to be heated, the safety of the occupants must always be the first consideration. The most common dangers with any type of heating equipment involve fire and carbon monoxide levels. When customizing a small structure to live in, homeowners must be careful to select and install heating equipment that is safe to operate, as well as convenient to use. 

Many small home enthusiasts opt to install gas heaters that use propane from a tank or natural gas from a piped supply. These heaters come in infrared and blue flame models, with both vent-free and vented models that exhaust to the outside. While many tests have shown these heaters to be safe for home use, vent-free gas heaters can create unhealthy levels of condensation and other air quality concerns when used in small, well-insulated spaces, such as those found in most tiny homes. 

Small homeowners can reduce risks of fire, condensation, and carbon monoxide poisoning by doing the following: 

• opting to have any gas heating appliance professional installed and vented or augmented with an air exchanger system
• having the unit cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure the gas burns as cleanly as possible
• installing carbon monoxide detection systems in the home  

If possible, it can be a good idea to consider using one of these wall-mounted gas heaters for supplemental heat only, such as during a power outage, and using another heat type as a permanent heating solution. 

Conserving space and energy

Those who choose to live in a small space often want to conserve energy, as well. When selecting a heating source for a small home, a mini-split system with one or more heads can be an excellent way to save both space and energy. Because mini-split systems work without ducts, they occupy very little space inside the home. 

The main component of the mini-split heating and air system sits outside the home on a wall bracket or small concrete pad. This larger component is connected via hoses and wires to a small component called a head that mounts high on the wall inside the home. The head contains powerful fans capable of quietly blowing heated or cooled air throughout the living space. 

Mini-split systems are known for being very energy-efficient and are controlled by a thermostat so that interior temperatures can be kept at a comfortable setting in both winter and summer. If the home's configuration or size requires it, additional heads can be added to the outside unit to heat and cool a larger space.

Homeowners who have chosen any type of small housing option can get expert assistance with their heating questions by contacting a heating installation contractor in their immediate area. 

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