Ventless Heaters and the FHA

[Richard Carlsen]

I know VA in Michigan now requires county inspection for proper installation of ventless heaters but I can't remember if FHA has any say on this.

Anybody remember any recent notices on ventless heaters from the FHA?

 

[Ben Vukicevich SRA]

Richard,

FHA requires them to be installed to local code. It's in the handbook... somewhere. If you need the exact page, I could spend some time to find it.

Basically, the ventless units seem to be OK in all areas except bedrooms, however, after talking to a building inspector on a home I appraised for FHA with a ventless heater, he stated that there are new units that can be used in sleeping areas/bedrooms. I don't know where your unit is located.

I would VC 11G for "inspection of the ventless unit by the local municipality for proper operation and code acceptability."

Ben

 

[Richard Carlsen]

Thanks Ben.

You confirmed what I suspected. This unit is in a 400+sf family room on the main floor with nothing above or below. Large opening (French doors) to the rest of the house. It is a fairly new unit so I suspect it has an oxygen depletion sensor.

I personally don't like them but I can't let my prejudices get in the way.