How to Make a Reddy Heater Burn Hotter

Even a loss of one-quarter pound per square inch -- or psi -- in pressure can cause a 30 percent loss in heating capacity. Other malfunctioning components inside the heater also can cause a loss of heat.

Troubleshooting

1. Unscrew the metal casing of the Reddy Heater, and remove it to check the plastic hoses for leaks. Spray soapy water on the hoses, and watch for any leaks -- which will cause bubbles to form. Replace any leaky tubes with new ones.

2. Check other components of your Reddy Heater for wear or damage, if you have no leaks. Common problems include a clogged lint filter, nozzle or fuel filter. A defective thermometer or cracked plastic end cover also can cause a loss of heat. Replace any damaged parts.

3. Pour out all fuel from the tank, and wash it out with fresh fuel. This will remove any trash, expired fuel, water or mixed fuels from the tank. These can cause your unit to not give off enough heat.

Pressure

1. Remove the plastic cover in the middle of the air intake side of the heater, with a flat-head screwdriver. You should see a pressure gauge plug and a relief valve.

2. Remove the plug on the pressure gauge plug, and place a pressure gauge over the hole created by removing the plug.

3. Read the pressure gauge to see the air pressure of your Reddy Heater. The correct pump pressure depends on the British Thermal Unit rating of your heater. A medium-size ready heater that produces 55,000 BTUs of heat requires a pressure of 3.4 psi.

4. Read the instructions that came with your Reddy Heater, to determine the correct air pressure. Consult a professional or contact the manufacturer for proper air pressure requirements, if you lost the instructions. Even a minor maladjustment in the pressure settings can stop the unit from functioning.

5. If your unit has low air pressure, use a screwdriver to slowly turn the relief valve clockwise until the pump psi matches the specifications outlined by Reddy.