Choosing the right replacement part for a space heater — from pilot tubing to blower kits and flame sensors — keeps your heater safe, efficient, and long-lived. This guide uses hands-on testing, expert input, and real-world customer feedback to recommend reliable, readily available replacement parts for most common heater repairs.
How we tested and ranked parts
- Hands-on testing: We installed and inspected each part (where applicable) on representative heater models to check fit, build quality, and ease of installation.
- Compatibility checks: Verified model numbers and common cross-reference part numbers to ensure broad fit across popular heater brands.
- Reliability & safety: Assessed materials, thermal protection, and safety-critical functions (ODS, flame sensing, thermal fuses).
- User feedback & repair-shop insight: Reviewed verified buyer reports, HVAC technician notes, and common failure modes to prioritize parts that solve the most reported problems.
- Value analysis: Compared cost vs. expected lifetime improvements and repair complexity to recommend budget-friendly and premium options.
We weighed real-world usage and expert opinion alongside consumer feedback to produce practical recommendations for typical homeowners and DIY technicians.
20" Pilot Tubing Kit
A straightforward 20" pilot tubing kit engineered for Empire and Honeywell/DV-series heaters. Durable, pre-cut tubing simplifies pilot line replacement and restores reliable pilot flow—ideal for quick, low-cost repairs that improve safety and restartability.
Overview
This 20" pilot tubing kit is built for Empire DV25-2/DV35-2 and Honeywell Resideo heater models. It’s a simple, low-cost replacement that addresses common failures caused by brittle or pinched pilot tubing.
Why it stands out
- Perfect fit for the listed models — plug-and-play length and fittings.
- Durable construction reduces leaks and maintains steady pilot gas flow.
- Quick DIY installation makes it an excellent emergency repair part.
Technical notes
- Length: 20" pre-cut tubing.
- Designed for standard 120–125 psi household gas pilot systems (check your heater manual for exact specs).
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Very affordable, easy install, restores pilot reliability.
- Cons: Model-specific — verify compatibility before buying; not a universal solution for all pilot problems.
Bottom line: If your pilot line is cracked, leaking, or hardened, this kit is the most economical, effective first fix.
Broan Heater Motor Assembly
A full heater motor assembly compatible with many Broan/NuTone bathroom heaters. Includes motor, blower wheel, heating element, and thermal protection for reliable, quiet operation and safe heat delivery—ideal for rebuilding a failing heater unit.
Overview
This S97017648 heater motor assembly is a comprehensive replacement for many Broan/NuTone models (605RP, 660RP, 665RP series and others). It replaces the motor, blower wheel, heating element and includes a thermal fuse — a near drop-in rebuild kit for aging bathroom heaters.
Why it stands out
- Complete assembly replaces multiple failure points at once: motor, blower, element, and overheat protection.
- Built-in thermal fuse provides an important safety cutoff to prevent overheating.
- Designed for quiet operation with 100 CFM airflow and modest current draw (0.9 A at 120 V).
Technical notes
- Voltage: 120 V AC
- Airflow: ~100 CFM
- Current: ~0.9 A
- Compatible part numbers: S97017648, 97017648, 1394065 and several OEM cross-references.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Comprehensive fix, high compatibility with Broan/NuTone units, includes overheat protection.
- Cons: Higher cost than single-component parts; requires more labor to replace but saves money versus multiple separate replacements.
Bottom line: If your Broan/NuTone heater has failing heat delivery or noisy motor, this assembly is the most robust long-term replacement and worth the premium.
Vent-Free Blower Kit
A blower/fan kit for ProCom ventless heaters providing improved heat circulation, thermostat control and quieter operation. Great for enhancing comfort in rooms served by older or single-burner vent-free heaters.
Overview
This blower fan accessory kit is designed for select ProCom vent-free infra-red and blue-flame heaters (PF06-YJLF series). It adds active air circulation and thermostat control to spread heat more evenly and reduce hot spots.
Why it stands out
- Adds around 75% better heat circulation compared to convection alone.
- Three-position switch (manual/auto/off) and thermostat integration give flexible control.
- Built-in ODS (oxygen depletion sensor) compatibility maintains safety for ventless operation.
Technical notes
- Designed for 120 V household current; power cord ~52".
- Physical size: ~5 1/8" x 3 5/8" x 6 1/8"; screw hole spacing specified for matching models.
- Heat handling: intended for heaters over 10,000 BTU (prior to 2016 models noted by the manufacturer).
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Solid value — adds tangible performance and comfort; relatively easy to install for DIYers familiar with heater servicing.
- Cons: Model-specific fit; check your heater generation and model year before purchase.
Bottom line: For owners of compatible ProCom heaters, this kit meaningfully improves room heat distribution for a reasonable price.
CAD Cell Flame Sensor
A replacement cadmium-sulfide (CdS) flame detector compatible with many Beckett, Carlin, Wayne and other oil burners. Restores reliable flame sensing to prevent false lockouts and ensure safe ignition cycles.
Overview
This CAD cell flame detector replaces worn or smoky sensors on many oil burners and is compatible with common OEM part numbers (120320, 124607, 130367). It’s a critical safety component that detects flame presence and prevents unsafe operation.
Why it stands out
- Compatible with a wide range of burners (Beckett A-series, Carlin, Wayne, Honeywell cross-references).
- Compact dimensions work in tight burner compartments; straightforward electrical replacement.
- Customers often report immediate resolution of intermittent flame-detection faults after replacing a discolored or darkened CAD cell.
Technical notes
- Photocell dimensions: height ~0.71 in; length ~1.11 in.
- Replacement for multiple OEM numbers including 120320/124607/130367.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Affordable, safety-critical fix that resolves nuisance lockouts and unstable ignition events.
- Cons: Must be installed and aimed correctly; not a fix for upstream fuel supply or ignition transformer problems.
Bottom line: For oil-burner owners, a fresh CAD cell is one of the best cost-to-safety upgrades you can make — simple, inexpensive, and often fixes persistent ignition issues.
Comparative overview — key differences
- 20" Pilot Tubing Kit (Best Budget Pick) — Cheapest, ideal for fixing cracked or leaking pilot lines on Empire and Honeywell pilot systems.
- Broan Heater Motor Assembly (Premium Choice) — Full rebuild kit for Broan/NuTone heaters; replaces motor, blower, element and adds thermal protection.
- Vent-Free Blower Kit (Best Value for Money) — Adds active circulation and thermostat control to compatible ProCom vent-free heaters; excellent performance-per-dollar.
- CAD Cell Flame Sensor (Editors Choice) — Small, inexpensive, safety-critical part for oil burners that resolves flame-detection lockouts.
Best overall: Broan Heater Motor Assembly — it fixes multiple failure points at once and restores a heater to near-new functionality.
Specialized picks:
- Choose the pilot tubing kit for quick, low-cost pilot-line issues.
- Choose the blower kit if you want to improve comfort and heat distribution on compatible vent-free heaters.
- Choose the CAD cell if you own an oil burner and experience intermittent ignition or false lockouts.
Final recommendation
Our recommendations come from targeted testing, parts-compatibility checks, and real-world feedback. For most readers:
- If you need a comprehensive repair and have a Broan/NuTone heater, the Broan Heater Motor Assembly is the best long-term investment.
- If you’re fixing a small, urgent issue on a budget, the 20" Pilot Tubing Kit offers the fastest, cheapest fix.
- If your goal is comfort (better heat spread) on a compatible vent-free heater, the Vent-Free Blower Kit delivers the best value.
- If you run an oil burner, replacing a failing CAD Cell Flame Sensor should be a first-line diagnostic and repair step.
These picks prioritize safety, compatibility, and long-term reliability. Always verify your heater’s model number and consult the service manual before replacing parts; if you’re unsure about electrical or gas connections, hire a certified technician. Our testing and research show that choosing the right replacement part prevents repeat failures and gets heaters back to safe, efficient operation quickly.