Carbon Monoxide and Diesel Heaters
Carbon Monoxide and diesel heaters are often discussed together, especially when people are new to diesel air heaters, cookers, or diesel hot water systems. While carbon monoxide (CO) emissions must always be taken seriously, diesel heaters are not a cause for concern when they are correctly installed, maintained, and operated.
A well-tuned diesel air heater typically emits around 300 ppm of carbon monoxide, while a well-tuned diesel cooker can emit as little as 30 ppm. For comparison, diesel vehicle exhaust usually ranges from 30–500 ppm, while petrol engines can emit up to 30,000 ppm. Although CO from diesel appliances deserves respect, these levels are significantly lower than petrol engine emissions and are far less hazardous when handled correctly.
Even in an extreme and incorrect scenario—such as operating a well-tuned diesel heater in a small enclosed space without venting the exhaust outside (something that should never be done)—it takes a long time for carbon monoxide levels to even register on a CO monitor, let alone trigger an alarm.
How Dieselheat Manages Carbon Monoxide and Diesel Heaters
Dieselheat minimises the risks through proven system design and installation practices:
RV Diesel Air Heaters
The heater base and exhaust connection are mounted below the floor, ensuring all exhaust components remain outside the living space. During servicing, all gaskets are replaced, keeping the risk of carbon monoxide inside the vehicle extremely low.
Marine Diesel Heaters
For marine installations, Dieselheat recommends purpose-built marine exhaust systems using high-quality clamps, sealed mufflers, and exhaust lagging. These systems provide a secure and reliable way to vent exhaust gases safely outside the vessel. RV-style exhaust components are not recommended for boats.
Diesel Cookers and Hot Water Systems
These systems include internal exhaust connections that must be carefully secured and insulated. Dieselheat uses high-quality exhaust pipe and clamps, with all mufflers located outside the vehicle to minimise any risk of leaks.
Portable Diesel Heaters
Portable diesel heaters must always be used outside, with only heated air ducted into the space being warmed.
Do You Need a CO Alarm with Diesel Heaters?
Yes.
Anyone using diesel heaters, cookers, or hot water systems should install a carbon monoxide alarm. CO monitors are inexpensive and provide an essential additional layer of safety. Diesel heaters are not the only source of carbon monoxide—gas appliances and other combustion devices can also produce CO—so a monitor is a simple and effective way to reduce risk.
