Re: [A/S] Catalytic Heaters - Who Wins?

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There are space heaters and then there are space heaters. Unless it 
specifically says it heats by catalytic action it is a variation on 
an open flame heater. An open flame heater (that oxidizes the fuel, 
or combines with oxygen to create heat) consumes relatively large 
amounts of oxygen and generates significant carbon monoxide as a by 
product. These are unsafe for small closed space heating. We have had 
hunter's/hikers killed attempting to use this type of heater even in 
a tent.  A catalytic heater "catalyzes" rather than oxidizes it's fuel. 
It generates heat by combining the fuel with trace elements impregnated 
in the pad, typically platinum. The combustion by products are trace 
amounts of water and carbon monoxide. The excess moisture commonly 
associated with catalytic heaters is in fact a byproduct of heating any 
space. A typical forced air furnace heated space will still have a 
problem with moisture buildup. It's cooking and breathing that introduce 
the moisture, not the heater.

Charlie