Vic Gov spent a lot of money recently replacing these in all public properties after the death of a tenant due to CO poisoning. It was a particular brand and model (Vulcan I think) in that case.
I would avoid if it’s a gas one and ask for a replacement.
Can confirm. They sent a dude out to get rid of our gas heater last winter. I was rather annoyed about it honestly because he did it in the middle of winter, didn’t actually remove the heater (just cut the cable), and it took a month for them to install a split system. Wasn’t illegal because we have central heating, but it only has vents in the bedrooms and not the living room or other areas.
When they did remove it we actually discovered they installed it in what used to be a fireplace though. Unfortunately this meant their idea of fixing it was putting a horrible looking wooden board over it
We ended up ripping the board off and decorating it though, so it’s not all bad
My mum used to have one - gave us all the heebee jeebies when the flame went out but the gas still kept on a-coming. OK when new but there’s better options out there now. Replace if possible.
splitty is gonna be cheaper to run. It might just need a clean, you’d be surprised how much that helps. It also wont heat a whole house, you’ve gotta prioritize rooms.
What you need to do is vacuum out as much dust as you can and give it a wipe down as best you can. Then you run it on all high settings for at least an hour. You might want to leave the door open for that.
Pick up a detector next time you’re out. It gives you the instructions in the box.
We had these in our homes growing up (lifetime renter, almost every house had one). Like Mean said, they were (should have) removed.
One time, ours just wasn’t working. Dad had a poke around and got our landlord to send a guy out. He pulled it a bit apart, and it turns out a huntsman was chilling out in there, staying warm during winter, and blocking the pilot light so the heater didn’t seem to be working.
Look at tenants Vic website, and see what you can do to get your landlord to remove it/service it. They’re really not great from a safety or energy efficiency point of view.
Does anyone here use this kind of heater?
Just wondering if it’s safe? Can’t find much info online. Was worried about CO2 poisoning.
Vic Gov spent a lot of money recently replacing these in all public properties after the death of a tenant due to CO poisoning. It was a particular brand and model (Vulcan I think) in that case.
I would avoid if it’s a gas one and ask for a replacement.
Can confirm. They sent a dude out to get rid of our gas heater last winter. I was rather annoyed about it honestly because he did it in the middle of winter, didn’t actually remove the heater (just cut the cable), and it took a month for them to install a split system. Wasn’t illegal because we have central heating, but it only has vents in the bedrooms and not the living room or other areas.
When they did remove it we actually discovered they installed it in what used to be a fireplace though. Unfortunately this meant their idea of fixing it was putting a horrible looking wooden board over it
We ended up ripping the board off and decorating it though, so it’s not all bad
Thanks for the heads up!
Not saying your one is affected, but might pay to search some Vic gov sites regarding your particular model.
My mum used to have one - gave us all the heebee jeebies when the flame went out but the gas still kept on a-coming. OK when new but there’s better options out there now. Replace if possible.
Not for years… I’d get one of those carbon monoxide stickers and put it in the room.
Yes. Get one of these.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/firepro-carbon-monoxide-alarm-with-lcd-display_p0288922?store=6450&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwps-zBhAiEiwALwsVYdJsBoBdRim8OxA0ulaYqj7y7QAv0sZ8hBGePwfiOVG_k9p_re2h5BoCBlcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Awesome. Will do. I have a split system but it barely heats the house.
splitty is gonna be cheaper to run. It might just need a clean, you’d be surprised how much that helps. It also wont heat a whole house, you’ve gotta prioritize rooms.
What you need to do is vacuum out as much dust as you can and give it a wipe down as best you can. Then you run it on all high settings for at least an hour. You might want to leave the door open for that.
Pick up a detector next time you’re out. It gives you the instructions in the box.
Are you renting? Ask the landlord last time it got serviced. if it hasnt been in the last 12-24 months ask to get it done.
It was done 2 years ago.
yeah I’d be asking for another. Energy safe vic says once ever 2 years.
If its been 24 months, then its due.
We had these in our homes growing up (lifetime renter, almost every house had one). Like Mean said, they were (should have) removed.
One time, ours just wasn’t working. Dad had a poke around and got our landlord to send a guy out. He pulled it a bit apart, and it turns out a huntsman was chilling out in there, staying warm during winter, and blocking the pilot light so the heater didn’t seem to be working.
Look at tenants Vic website, and see what you can do to get your landlord to remove it/service it. They’re really not great from a safety or energy efficiency point of view.