I have a vent free natural gas heater that is acting abnormal. I installed it mid winter last year when my main heat source went down for a few days and it worked flawlessly until now. We have been using it for about a month since we just need a little heat at this point.

But it has started to act up. When just the pilot light is on it sounds like the flame is blowing in the wind and there is often a slight gas smell when the pilot light is going. If you turn it up so that it starts to produce heat it runs 100% normal. It only happens when it is not running and only the pilot light is going. Any ideas?

i bought two of them new a few years back , they both only lasted about a year and a few months ,

My gas logs are vent free. Good for knocking off the chill. My primary heat is dual source. Above 32° my heat pump supplies our heat, but when the temps drops, the natural gas unit kicks in. Air handler is dual zoned. Been here about four years. Cheapest utilities I have ever enjoyed. Cook with gas and use on demand Renai hot water.

My natural gas bill last months was $16. We were away a lot. Never been above $60.

Clean the pilot light port with alcohol and a q tip. Eric

clean the pilot with compressed air. there is also a small air intake on the side of the pilot for mixing air and gas to get a strong blue flame. Do not stick anything in the pilot because the pilot orifice has a glass material in it. If you break that glass you will need to buy an entire pilot assembly.

I got logs and 2 heaters . THEY all do that . you must remember the same pressure is coming out of that small orifice for the pilot light that is behind the entire flame bar when it is on....
My logs are 22 years old and the flame thrower sound has been there from day 1... same with the wall heaters that are 5-6 years old But I clean mine with the canned air like you use on comp keyboards before each start up in fall.

Also the probe sticking up by the pilot light is an 02 sensor. Wipe it off once a year with alcohol or a good lacquer thinner.

Pilot needs cleaning would be my first guess like said above.

Thanks guys. I am betting that you are right about needing to clean the pilot. That is along the lines of what I was thinking also.