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Mr. Heater 80,000 BTU Propane Convection Heater #MH80CV by Mr. Heater
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List Price: $172.15 Our Price: $99.99 You Save: $72.16 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Home See more product details
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Product DetailsManufacturer: Mr. Heater Brand: Mr. Heater Edition: Kitchen Model: F270480 Publisher: Mr. Heater Studio: Mr. Heater Music Label: Mr. Heater Product features: - 30,000-80,000 Btu portable propane convection heater
- For construction sites, workshops, barns, etc.; heats up to 1,900 square feet
- 360-degree directional heat;
- Minimum 20-pound propane cylinder not included; 10-foot hose and regulator included
- Adequate combustion and ventilation air must be provided; limited 1-year warranty
- Non-returnable
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Mr. Heater 80,000 BTU Propane Convection Heater #MH80CVCustomer Review: Is this safe? I'm not taking chances... Summary: 2 Stars
First let me say I've had good experience with other Mr Heater products. I own the buddy and big buddy heaters, and I love them and have NEVER had a problem with them (with exception to the brittle plastics).
With that said, I am torn on this product. I had high expectations based on reviews I've read, product literature, features, specs and prior Mr Heater experience.
Why I bought it:
Emergency preparedness. To heat our home in the event of a power failure during the snow storms that have been sweeping the country. I bought this because its efficient, affordable, portable, easy to use, clean heat. I bought this because our kerosene heater is WAY too expensive to operate, because Kerosene is harder to find, and because Kerosene is a dirty heat. Propane is cheap, available every where, stable, long lasting (shelf life), and very efficient. I bought it because it puts out an incredible amount of BTUs.
What went wrong:
I read the manual before using it. After reading the setup and operating instructions, it explains in detail conditions of unsafe operation. It states that the flame inside should be mostly blue with very little yellow. It states there should be NO FLAMES exiting the unit. It states that if any of these conditions are experienced, to shut off the gas supply and heater, and call a service center immediately.
When I turned on the unit, I immediately got an intense jet-like after-burner of a flame that was about 1" of blue and 8" of yellow. The flame reached the top of the unit and began to bow and bubble the top metal piece. The flame was so intense and strong that it began to wick out of the unit and above it. Uh-oh. I was really freaked out. Like fearing for my life and home freaked out.
So I did as the manual stated. And 3 days later I was able to speak with a 'human' (I use that term loosely).
The first two days I called (during hours), I sat on hold for 45 minutes. Then I gave up. I mean really, 45 minutes?? Whats wrong with this place? Do they have THAT many support calls? Is there anyone home? Can they not afford to pay enough agents to take calls? What happened to this company?
So on day 2 I chose the option to get a call back. It took 6 attempts before this option work, before the system assured me I would be called back when my turn came up. No call back.
I called the 3rd day, went through the same experience. Hold for 45 minutes, multiple attempts at getting the call-back system to work. No call back after hours of waiting. So I called back and chose sales. Someone in sales answered fairly quickly (so they like to sell but can't support??), I explained the problem I was having with their phone system, and she said she would transfer me back into the queue at highest priority and I would be the next call answered. 45 minutes later I hung up.
Fast forward - eventually someone called me. However, it was like talking to a wall. Or zombie. In fact, I'd rather talk to my dog. At least he smiles at me. This guy sounded like he was asleep. He did not laugh. I was overly cheery and happy to talk to him. I think he hated his job. Or was at a funeral. I'm sorry, he was just so lifeless. I felt like he HATED me for calling.
Long story short, the agent told me he "didn't know why the manual says that, it sounds like its operating fine". I said what about the yellow flame, its suppose to be blue? I said what about the warping metal top? I said what about the flames coming out of it? His answer: "that sounds normal".
So I called Amazon, explained the problem with the product, the company, and my fears; and Amazon happily sent me a second unit to try out within 2 days (my choice). The second unit had the same problem. I call it a problem because the manual does. In the end Amazons excellent Customer Service took care of me, and took both of the units back at their expense. I will be looking for a new propane heater.
I hope you have better luck then me; but honestly I cannot recommend this unit to anyone because I would hate to see someone injured in the process; or loose their home and valuables. Its just not worth the risk, and the manufacturer just couldn't come trough. I personally value my home, my life, my family, and my children more than this - this unit just isn't worth the risk.
Report card:
Amazon - A++ (Amazon is truly amazing)
Manufacturer - F (Fix your phones, your people, your products, your manuals)
Product - F (This thing will hurt someone)
Manufacturer Support Agent - F (Wake up, find a job you enjoy, and learn how to be a human being with a heart, a mind, and a smile)
Yikes, I know. Trust me, I'm feeling the same way.
PS - I hope this review gives you some insight and help with your choice, and a little knowledge from an unbiased owner. If so, please click on "YES" below this review to vote it as helpful.
Description of Mr. Heater 80,000 BTU Propane Convection Heater #MH80CVMR. HEATER PORTABLE PROPANE HEATER *Heats approximately 1900 sq. ft. *Runs up to 14 hours on 20 lb. tank (low setting) *Standing pilot for increased safety *Convenction *Piezo push button ignitor *Two stage chamber for reduced ship cube/retail space *"Instalock" chamber for easy assembly *10 foot hose and regulator included *CSA certified The Mr. Heater MH80CV 30,000-80,000 Btu portable propane convection heater is ideal for heating large indoor spaces of up to 1,900 square feet. The convection design draws cold air up from the floor through propane burners then distributes warm air out through the top, giving you 360-degree directional heat. The unit features a piezo push-button igniter, adjustable heat output control (from 30,000-80,000 Btu), and an "Insta-Lock" system for easy, tool-free assembly. For safety, the heater shuts off with loss of flame, and the sturdy base keeps it upright. The included 10-foot hose connects to 20-pound (minimum required) propane cylinder. CSA Certified. One-year limited warranty.--Josh DettweilerWhat's in the Box Heater, thermocouple, manual, operating instructions, regulator, 10-foot hose Five Tips for Buying a Heater Choosing a space heater is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Let's break it down a little to make the process easier. What are the different types of space heaters?
- Radiant heaters emit infrared radiation that directly warms the objects in front of the heaters (rather than the surrounding air). If you only need heat by a desk or in a small section of a room, a radiant heater is quiet and will use very little power.
- Forced-air heaters use a fan to blow air that has been warmed by metal or ceramic heating elements. A forced-air heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but can be noisy.
- Convection heaters draw cold air from the floor; the air is warmed by heating coils and emitted from the top of the heater. A convection heater is appropriate for quickly heating up a small- to medium-sized room, but also can be noisy.
- Radiators work by heating oil enclosed in a reservoir, gradually heating the surrounding air. If heating speed isn't an issue, you might want to opt for a radiator. These are extremely quiet and effective--perfect for bedrooms.
Should I buy an electric or a combustion model? If you want a heater that will be available in emergencies, or that can heat areas larger than a single room, choose a "combustion" model--one that is powered by a gas or fuel like propane, kerosene, natural gas, or diesel. Which fuel type you choose depends largely on convenience and local availability. For example, diesel would be appropriate for a heater you take with you on long car trips. How powerful a heater do I need? Heaters are rated by BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit (the amount of heat needed to heat one pound of water by 1 degree F). To find out how many BTU you need:
- Calculate the volume of the space to be heated by multiplying square footage by height.
- Multiply that number by 4 if your insulation is poor, 3 if it's average, or 2 if it's good.
The resulting number is a ballpark figure for how many BTU you'll need.Do space heaters cost a lot to operate? As a general rule, electric space heaters are more expensive to use than combustion models. To ensure energy efficiency, a thermostat is a must-have feature for any heater. For radiant heaters, models with a 360 degree heating surface can heat larger spaces. If you need a forced-air heater, models with ceramic elements tend to be more efficient. Are space heaters a fire hazard? Space heaters are implicated in about 25,000 residential fires every year. To ensure proper safety, always follow the manufacturer's usage instructions and fill out the warranty card to receive informational updates from the manufacturer. Also, look for extra safety features such as an automatic shutoff switch that can shut down the unit if, for example, it gets upended. In addition, choose a model where the heating element is adequately enclosed within the unit.
Space Heaters
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