For decades, Australians have been using Bonaire systems to heat and cool their homes. Today, the company’s Pyrox gas furnaces can be used to efficiently warm small and large homes through the cold winter months.
People like Bonaire Pyrox gas heaters because:
- They are produced by a reputable company
- All systems have a 4+ Energy Star rating
- And they are extremely easy to use
Quick Facts:
- Price: $1,190 – $1,690 plus handling and installation fees
- Pros: Two size options, energy-efficient, and space-saving
- Cons: Unreliable, can be loud, and expensive starting price
- Manufacturer: Bonaire (part of Climate Technologies)
Verdict
Although we love Bonaire evaporative coolers, we can’t universally recommend Bonaire’s Pyrox gas heaters. As a pricey investment for your home’s comfort, Bonaire’s track record for system reliability makes us hesitant to stand behind the brand.
Sure, the Pyrox has a slim design that is perfect for tight spaces. It is also very efficient, which can potentially cut costs for homes that currently rely on electric heat or outdated systems.
Bonaire’s Pyrox gas furnaces are capable of living long-lasting lifespans, however, close performance monitoring and maintenance will likely be required. With warranty periods that are less than impressive, we encourage homeowners to explore their options before purchasing a Bonaire Pyrox gas heater.
Accounts In the Wild (Screenshots of Real Reviews)
With 30 customers chiming in on ProductReview.com.au, the Bonaire Pyrox Gas Heater has an unimpressive average of 1.9 out of 5 stars. Although it is true that bad customer experiences are generally more often reported than good customer experiences, it is impossible to ignore that absolutely zero of the 30 reviews contain 5-star ratings.
Take a look at some of the most common customer experiences with Bonaire Pyrox gas furnaces through a series of real reviews.
In this review from user “Mike,” the customer has outlined their experience with the Pyrox Deluxe Wall Furnace. After just 5 years the system has “crapped itself,” malfunctioning to the point past reasonable repair.
To replace his system, this customer purchased a Braemar heater and is happy with his decision thus far. Likely, Mike will not return to Bonaire after the service tech stated the models were “rubbish” and “not worth the price.”
Nearly a decade later, user Gazz purchased a Pyrox system only to be disappointed with the product’s performance. Citing excessive noise and price, while continually cutting in and out, it seems that 1 star is generous for the user experience depicted here.
Critically, Gazz cites a previous furnace that lasted for 20 years, which lasted over a decade more than what a lot of people experience with Bonaire’s Pyrox gas heaters.
Of course, not every user has a fully negative experience with Bonaire’s furnaces. Although positive sentiments are a bit more difficult to find for the company’s gas heaters (compared to their other quality products), this 4-star review from Bigmac showcases that the Pyrox furnace can work for some people.
Here, it is important to note that this user had their heater serviced with a capacitor replacement. As the customer monitored the situation and utilized a quality local contractor, the Pyrox continued to work as planned. To sum it up, Bigmac states “it’s actually a good heater I reckon.”
Unfortunately, the average experience of most Bonaire Pyrox Gas heater owners is fairly negative with many systems not performing as promised. Frequent and unfruitful services have outraged user “Pieface” in the review above to the point of contacting the Adelaide office of Consumer Affairs. After sinking excessive money and time into an unreliable system, we can understand this user’s frustration.
Performance Notes: How does it stack up where it matters?
Although negative feedback can be a large red flag, users are typically more likely to report faulty systems rather than average, operating gas furnaces. To help bring light to the Bonaire Pyrox Gas Heater’s positives and negatives, here are some of the measurable attributes that help put it into perspective with its competition.
Efficiency
Compared to other gas furnaces the Bonaire Pyrox is fairly efficient with Energy Star ratings up to 4.3. While there are other furnaces that are more efficient, 4.3 stars still show the sign of a high-quality system design.
In terms of cost-efficiency, the Pyrox will dramatically improve energy expenses if you are currently using an electric heating system in nearly every part of the country. With a few different operating modes, it is easy to optimize your energy usage with the Pyrox’s user-friendly design.
Materials
As a division of Climate Technologies, Bonaire is able to source high-quality, low-expense materials for their Pyrox production. The result is a lightweight and slim design that is protected against damages and remains cool to the touch while pumping out tons of hot air.
Despite its convenience, the Pyrox can be very noisy. Although this is a small price to pay for a warm home environment, excessive noises can disturb the peace and keep you up at night.
Safety
Despite other faults and shortcomings, the Pyrox is a great way to safely heat your home for long periods of time. With child locks and smart controls, the Pyrox can be left operating without having to worry about the safety of your home or family. Compared to portable heaters that are infamous as fire hazards, a wall-mounted gas furnace is generally a much safer option.
Lifespan
The Bonaire Pyrox gas heater is an Australia-only product, with a 10-year parts guarantee on the burner and heat exchanger. All other components and labour are warrantied for just 2 years, which makes it hard to be confident while investing over $1,000 on a new home appliance.
To get the most out of your Bonaire Pyrox’s lifespan, it is important to utilize bi-annual checks to prevent damages before they happen. Although most Australian contractors will be able to fix any common issues, some may recommend total system replacement as a viable option.
Value
With a steep initial investment, ongoing gas expenses, and potential product maintenance, we believe that the true cost of the Bonaire Pyrox Gas Heater is beyond its value. Considering that it may only be used a few months per year, it is very possible to find a more cost-effective appliance to heat your home.
Aside from the unit itself, it is important to consider the transportation and installation costs of a local contractor to bring the Pyrox to your home and start running the system. Available in most parts of the country, Bonaire’s cost to source the Pyrox may be cheaper than products from smaller brands.
Overall, we recommend doing a complete cost analysis of your current energy costs before purchasing a Bonaire Pyrox Gas Heater. In many cases, it is not worth it, while some homes can potentially save a considerable amount of money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not getting the answers you need? Here are some of the most common questions associated with Bonaire Pyrox gas heaters.
Is it expensive to run a gas heater?
Compared to electric heaters, gas heaters are typically less expensive to run. In most areas of the country, natural gas is cheaper than electricity which can save you hundreds of dollars per month on heating expenses throughout the winter.
How do I turn on my Pyrox gas heater?
With user-friendly design as a top priority, Bonaire’s Pyrox Gas Heaters can be easily turned on and off with the push of a button. To optimize your home’s temperature, you can also use different operating modes and timed system shutdowns set for after you fall asleep.
Is it safe to leave gas wall heaters on?
Although we do not recommend leaving portable heaters on, it is generally safe to leave gas wall heaters on through the night. For long operating times, it is best to keep gas wall heaters at lower operating levels and allow for proper ventilation.
Other Alternatives Worth Considering:
Don’t think the Bonaire Pyrox Gas Heater is going to work for you? You may be right. We recommend taking a look at one of these options before installing a Bonaire Pyrox Gas Heater.
Rinnai Avenger
Recommended by professionals and customers all across the country, the Rinnai Avenger is a great alternative to the Bonaire Pyrox Gas Heater. The Rinnai Avenger is cheaper to purchase than the Pyrox and offers similar, efficient gas heating capabilities.
Beyond the Avenger, Rinnai offers several great heating devices to best suit the needs of your property. Although their products may malfunction, Rinnai’s generally reliable systems are delivered alongside their excellent customer service.
Braemar Gas Wall Furnaces
As mentioned in one of our reviews above, Braemar gas wall furnaces are a good choice for replacing a Bonaire Pyrox gas heater. Although the company also received mixed reviews, many Australians may find Braeomar’s gas furnaces to be cheaper and more reliable than the Bonaire Pyrox.
Braemar’s gas wall furnaces offer the same tall, slim design as the Pyrox to fit small living spaces. The company also manufactures several ducted heating options that may better suit the needs of your home or building.
Hydronic Heating
For new construction or total reimaginations, sustainable builders who aren’t afraid to think outside the box can turn to hydronic heating to mitigate the need for a Pyrox gas system. Hydronic heating and cooling systems use the temperature of water circulated throughout a home to reach and maintain ideal temperatures. For the maximum efficiency and cost savings, it is possible to combine a hydronic system with a solar hot water heat pump.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, there are many ways to heat your home, and every property has a different ideal solution. Bonaire Pyrox gas furnaces can potentially keep your living space comfortable with efficient heat production.
However, with large initial costs, and something of a checkered maintenance history, those who elect to go with a Bonaire Pyrox Gas heater should maximize their investment with regular checkups and necessary service.