Are you looking to install an additional heating unit to your room? Since there are various options, we have narrowed down our search and listed the best kerosene heater for indoor use.
Kerosene heaters will keep your room warm and comfortable without having to use your central unit. Or maybe your existing furnace doesn’t have adequate heating capacity to handle the whole house or a specific room you prefer to spend time in during the cold season.
One of the concerns about kerosene heaters, however, is if they are safe for indoor use. If you follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer, then there is nothing to worry about.
In case you’re not sure what model to choose, then we’ve suggested the best kerosene heaters, and also included a buying guide to help through the process of selecting the best model.
9 Best Kerosene Heater For Indoor Use Reviews 2021
1. Sengoku KeroHeat Radiant Kerosene Heater CTN-110
The Sengoku KeroHeat radiant kerosene heater has been designed for use both indoors and outdoors. With its automatic igniter, easy flame adjuster, and safety guard, it offers an array of features that help to make lighting and using a kerosene heater much safer. Manual ignition can be tricky and potentially dangerous if you don’t follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines, so automatic ignition is a great addition to any kerosene heater.
The fuel tank capacity is 1.2 gallons, and the BTU output is 10,000. This BTU range generally has the power to heat an area of up to 500 square feet. The manufacturer lists a conservative estimate of 380 square feet, however, so bear this in mind before purchase.
Other safety features include an automatic shut-off switch and tip over switch. Since kerosene is a fuel, tip-over prevention is an important feature to prevent spillage. The automatic shut-off system adds another layer of safety to the device and gives you peace of mind.
The main downside to this model is that it doesn’t project heat in a 360-degree radius. Instead, the heat emits from the front only, meaning that it produces a path of heat instead of a circle. This may result in a less even dispersal of heat throughout the entire room or area.
Pros:
- Automatic igniter
- Safety guard
Cons:
- Doesn’t project heat in a 360-degree radius
2. Dura Heat DH2304S Kerosene Heater
This Dura Heat convection kerosene heater is designed with a high BTU range of 23,000 BTUs. If you’re unsure about what BTU range you need for the area you wish to heat, all you have to do is multiply the square footage of the room by 20. This gives you a BTU estimate for your room. Factors like lots of windows in a room, or bad insulation can mean a higher BTU is needed, but this will give you an initial ballpark figure.
Thus, a 23,000 BTU will heat a space of up to 1150 square feet. If the rooms in your house are smaller, you can simply leave doors open between rooms to circulate the heat further.
It includes a protective grill which surrounds the areas which get hot when in use. This prevents curious children from accidentally burning themselves and makes the product safer to use.
One tank of fuel provides between eight and twelve hours of heat, depending on how high you adjust the flame. One of the common complaints about kerosene heaters is the odor they emit on start-up. Well, this model is designed with a no-lift heat chamber to minimize the odor produced. To avoid the kerosene heater smell, you might want to start it up outside on the patio and then bring it indoors when the fumes have dissipated.
Pros:
- Projects heat in a 360-degree radius
- Protective grill surrounds hot surface areas
Cons:
- Heavier than other models: weighs 27.6 pounds
3. Dyna-Glo RMC-55R7 Indoor Kerosene Radiant Heater
This particular Dyna-Glo model has a BTU range of 10,000 and can heat an area of up to 500 square feet. You can use this dependable unit for general heating purposes or emergencies. One of the great things about kerosene heaters is that most of them don’t require electricity to run. You simply make sure you have enough kerosene stored away for emergencies and can bring it out during power cuts.
Alternatively, you can use it as a supplemental heat source during the winter. It’s best used to heat one room that is used the most. Keeping occupied areas warm allows you to turn down the thermostat for the rest of the house. Kerosene heaters are a common primary heat source in Japan, but they don’t generally replace standard heating systems elsewhere.
This heater is convenient and easy to use with an automatic ignition system. Using matches to ignite a kerosene heater can potentially be dangerous, so this is a great feature to have.
There is also a one-touch shut-off button, useful for anyone worried about the perceived complexity of a kerosene heater.
Pros:
- Heats up to 500 square feet
- Automatic ignition
Cons:
- Doesn’t project heat in a 360-degree radius
4. Dyna-Glo Indoor Kerosene Heater RMC-95C6B
The Dyna-Glo RMC-95C6B model has an impressive heat output of 23,000 BTU, which can heat up to 1,000 square feet. It is capable of heating a garage if you’re doing some work on your car during the winter, or can be used to keep a large living-room warm and cozy while the family is spending time together. While this is enough for most people, you can choose other option including electric space heaters for large rooms.
This is another model which is listed as suitable for indoors, so you don’t have to worry about it being dangerous. However, always make sure to ventilate the room you’re using it in. Kerosene fuel burns up the oxygen in a room, and the chemical reaction that takes place creates carbon monoxide, so you need to ensure extra oxygen can penetrate the space.
The easy to use automatic ignition system means you will soon be able to start it up without having to keep looking at the manufacturer’s instructions, and there is a convenient one-touch shut-off for when the room is warm enough, and you’re trying to conserve fuel.
There is also a built-in safety switch that powers off the unit if it is knocked over. This will give you extra peace of mind in the event of an accident. Just over $150, this is slightly more expensive than other models, but it’s a well-known kerosene heater brand with a high BTU rating, so this is still a reasonable price.
Pros:
- Projects heat in a 360-degree radius
- Heats up to 1,000 square feet
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than other models
5. Kero World KW-24G Portable Kerosene Heater
The Kero World convection kerosene heater certainly packs a lot of punch with regards to heating power. Kerosene heaters, in general, heat up fast and heat a space in a short amount of time. This, coupled with the 23,000 BTU rating, makes this heater very powerful indeed.
This estimate is conservative because if we refer back to our BTU calculation, you can provide heat for up to 1150 square feet in standard conditions. A square space with only a couple of windows and good insulation is an excellent example of standard conditions, so consider this if your room gets a lot of heat out.
The fuel tank for this unit is 1.9 gallon, and you can get up to 12 hours of heat with this amount of fuel. Regarding running costs, the standard price of kerosene is $2.25 per gallon. Therefore, to use this for 12 hours, you’ll spend around $4.30. This initially sounds expensive, but don’t forget that kerosene heaters will heat a room very quickly, so you don’t need to have them running for long periods.
It’s safer and better for your health if you only use kerosene heaters when you need to. The longer it’s running, the more carbon monoxide there is in the air, so only use them in short bursts to be safe.
Pros:
- Projects heat in a 360-degree radius
- Heats up to 1,000 square feet
Cons:
- Uses more fuel than a lower BTU model
6. Dyna-Glo Delux KFA80DGD Kerosene Forced Air Heater
The Dyna-Glo Delux kerosene forced air heater is an interesting addition to our list. When you see the crazy high BTU rating, you’ll probably think it’s designed to power a mansion. However, the manufacturer says that this 80,000 BTU rating will heat up to 1,900 square feet.
If we refer back to the BTU rating, this is much too low for standard BTU/square feet conversions. As such, we must assume that forced air heaters do not utilize the same calculation, particularly because another forced air model on this list has a similarly low heating area capability versus its BTU range.
This is one of the best forced air kerosene heaters that is reasonably priced and includes a useful comfort control thermostat. This allows more control over the temperature of the space while conserving fuel.
One of the best features of this product is its unique run time fuel gauge design. On a standard fuel gauge, you just see the empty and full symbols. This one has conventional symbols on one side and displays how many hours of use you have left on the other.
This is perfect for those times when you’re low on cash and want to use it as sparingly as possible or if you don’t have time to rush out and get kerosene. You can simply look at the hours and ration the fuel accordingly instead of freaking out when you see it’s almost empty.
Pros:
- Comfort control thermostat
- Unique run time fuel gauge
Cons:
- This forced air heater has a lower efficiency rating in terms of BTU versus square feet measurements
7. World Marketing Radiant Kerosene Heater KW-11F
The World Marketing radiant kerosene heater has a sleek silver design that is truly innovative. It has been thoughtfully created, with rounded corners for safety and overall aesthetic appeal.
The matchless ignition is great for anyone a bit anxious about getting too close to a combustible fuel. Like gas stoves, kerosene heaters can sometimes be a bit scary to light, so any feature to make this a more manageable task is very welcome.
This 10,000 BTU model will heat spaces of up to 500 square feet and will keep you nice and cozy during the winter months without having to run up your electricity bill. This is specifically listed as suitable for indoor use and has several safety features included.
One of these features is a sturdy metal grill covering the dangerous parts of the unit, allowing for more peace of mind when operating indoors. This unit is a radiant heater, which is generally slightly less effective than a convection heater due to the different emission directions, but it’s still going to do a great job of heating any indoor or outdoor space during cold weather or emergencies, or you could try any of these top outdoor patio heater models.
Pros:
- Rounded corners for added safety
- Matchless ignition
Cons:
- Doesn’t project heat in a 360-degree radius
8. Dura Heat Convection Kerosene Heater DH1051
The Dura Heat convection heater is perhaps the most efficient kerosene heater on our list. It has a decent size BTU rating of 10,000, so it’s capable of heating most rooms in your home. Not only this, but it will certainly be cheaper to run than other models.
The fuel tank might only be 1.1 gallons, but when it’s this efficient, you won’t mind at all. Other models tend to burn through fuel quite quickly, but you can get an impressive 15 hours out of this one when the tank is full.
Additionally, this is a convection kerosene heater. They’re generally going to produce a more even path of heat due to their circular base design. Convection heaters produce heat at 360 degrees, while radiant ones only emit heat from one direction. If you want to ensure the space, you’re heating gets maximum and consistent heat, this model is both economic and powerful.
This is also a lightweight model, so you can easily move it from room to room depending on what one you’re using. Moreover, it’s ideal for outdoor activities too. This is compact and lightweight enough to bring on a fishing or camping trip, for example. The possibilities are endless, and this is truly an impressive model for any consumer buying their first kerosene heater.
Pros:
- Projects heat in a 360-degree radius
- 1.1 gallons of fuel lasts for up to 15 hours
Cons:
- Lower BTU than some other models: 10,000 BTUs
9. Pro-Temp Radiant Kerosene Heater PT-70-SS
The Pro-Temp radiant kerosene is the second forced air kerosene heater on our list, and its BTU rating is also deceptively large. It’s 70,000 BTU can heat up to 1,750 square feet. The standard calculation states that 70,000 BTUs will heat up to 3,500 square feet, so there must be something in the design of these forced air models that changes things.
However, most of us don’t need to 3,500 square feet, so it’s still a perfectly good heater.
It includes a power on and off switch. This alone makes it a worthy purchase because igniting kerosene heaters can be a nuisance. Automatic ignition systems are a much-needed improvement on old designs, but you can’t beat the simplicity of an on/off switch. Kerosene heaters can generally heat rooms other types of heaters struggle to, so it’s great that this switch gives you instant and powerful heat.
Despite its power, this model is very quiet and includes an automatic overheat/safety shutoff to prevent dangerous accidents. All in all, it’s a solid version of a kerosene heater that can fulfill several heating purposes.
Pros:
- Heats up to 1,750 square feet
- Convenient on/off switch instead of an ignition system
Cons:
- This forced air heater has a lower efficiency rating in terms of BTU versus square feet measurements
KEROSENE HEATER BUYING GUIDE
If you’ve done your homework and feel that a kerosene heater would best meet your heating needs, the next step is to go shopping. This buyer guide is designed to help you find an excellent indoor kerosene heater. But, first, why should you buy a kerosene heater?
Why Buy a Kerosene Heater?
There are a few people out there who already understand the advantages of kerosene heaters over other types of heaters. Unfortunately, the majority of consumers still don’t fully appreciate these types of heaters. Here are the main reasons why you want to choose a kerosene heater
- Environmental benefits: Despite what most consumers think, kerosene is much safer for the environment, especially when compared to coal and wood. Granted, it does emit some poisonous gases, including; nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. However, both wood and coal produce all of these gases too – in higher amounts. For this reason, if your options are coal, wood, and kerosene, kerosene is your best option.
- Ease of storage: Kerosene, being a non-corrosive fuel, is safe to store for a long time. You don’t even need a special storage container for the fuel. Whether you choose to use a plastic bottle or a metallic oil drum, your kerosene is safe. We, however, recommend rust-resistant metal drums as they are more durable.
- Long lifespan: Aside from ease of storage, kerosene also has an impressively long lifespan. Depending on the container you choose for storage, your fuel should be in excellent working condition for at least a full year for plastic bottles and as many as ten years for metallic containers. For maximum shelf life, store the fuel in a controlled environment, away from rain or direct sunlight.
- Kerosene stove works independently: Most other heating sources depend on electricity, especially for ignition. Kerosene stoves don’t. You don’t need electricity to ignite the stove, and you certainly don’t need electric power to run it. This independence makes kerosene stoves ideal for camping and situations where electrical power may not be accessible.
Other advantages
In addition to the four reasons above, kerosene heaters are also; more affordable than other heating products, quite effective at their job (they emit significant heat), and relatively easy to maintain – you don’t need expert skills to maintain the heaters.
How Do Kerosene Heaters Work?
It’s pretty simple. Kerosene heaters mainly comprise a wick and the fuel (kerosene). The wick holder is designed in such a way that once all the components are set up, the bottom part of the wick dips in the kerosene. Kerosene then rises through the wick, a process known as capillary action.
When you ignite the wick, a flame is produced. However, that flame is rarely sufficient to warm an entire room. That’s where the burner comes in. Once the wick is ignited, the fire enters the burner which is specially designed to catalyze the flame and distribute it evenly for maximum heat output.
Among other things, the burner unit contains a special ignition plug to help with combusting the kerosene inside the fuel tank. This combustion causes kerosene to vaporize and burn, producing stronger flames and more heat.
The following are other details on the burning process;
- Kerosene heaters come with controls for increasing the size of the wick. When you increase the amount of wick exposed, the flame becomes bigger and vice versa.
- The burner unit also has a mechanical control that makes it possible to increase or decrease the amount of air entering the unit. Use this function to control the quality of your flame.
- In the end, heat reaches objects nearby through radiation – the same way other home heating products work, like oil filled radiator heaters.
Kerosene heater wicks are very similar to those used in paraffin lanterns and lamps. They are made from cotton or fiberglass and are circular in design. To put off the heater, all you have to do is lower the wick into a small area under the burner. When this is done, the flame will go out, and the heater is turned off.
Refilling your Heater Tank
Still, on how kerosene heaters work, it’s imperative that you learn how to refill your kerosene heater tank. Ideally, you want to buy a unit that’s easy to refill. But, even if your preferred model is a bit complicated, the refilling process shouldn’t be too complex.
- First, turn off the heater and take it outside. Refilling while the heater is on is a huge risk. Refilling indoors, meanwhile, can leave you with spills running into the carpet and floorboards. If you decide to refill indoors anyway, use a tray to catch the excesses and be very careful not to spill any kerosene around the house.
- Once you’re ready, bring the fuel – NOT gasoline. Never use gas in your kerosene heater ever. To avoid damaging your heater, make sure the kerosene you want to use is less than three months old. We recommend bringing just enough kerosene in a kerosene jug with a lid. Carry along a siphon as well.
- Once you’re outside, check the fuel tank for a screw cap and remove it. Then, remove the lid from the kerosene jug too and use the siphon to transfer kerosene from the jar into the heater tank. Most kerosene heaters have a “full” line indicated on the exterior of the tank. Don’t go beyond this mark.
That’s it; your kerosene heater is now refilled and ready for use. An average tank, when full, can run comfortably for up to 14 hours.
Kerosene Heaters vs. Electric Heaters
Well, there is a significant difference between kerosene and electric heaters. First, as the names suggest, electric heaters are appliances that convert electrical current into heat. Kerosene heaters, meanwhile, convert kerosene fuel into heat. Beyond that, the following differences stand out;
- Operation: In electric heaters, an electric heating element shaped in the form of a wire or ribbon supplies heat to the cathode. When current passes through this element, heat is produced. In kerosene heaters, meanwhile, when the wick is ignited, the flame produced enters a burner designed to catalyze heat production. In both cases, heat reaches objects by radiation.
- Design: Both electric and kerosene heaters are designed to maximize their effectiveness. In electric heaters, heating elements may be composed of metal alloy wires, nonmetallic carbon compounds, or printed circuits for maximum efficiency. Insulating material and fins for heat distribution are also often used to maximize heat output. Kerosene heaters, on their part, come with optimal fuel tanks and innovative exterior designs to extend usage time while guaranteeing user safety.
- Price: Kerosene heaters are the least expensive heaters to operate, requiring just $13.72 for 1 million BTUs. Electric heaters, meanwhile require slightly more than $27.23 per million BTU.
- Environmental friendliness: When it comes to environmental friendliness, however, electric heaters are the better option by a distance. That’s because electrical energy is clean while burning kerosene is a well-known cause of environmental pollution.
- Safety: Electric heaters are also much safer to use compared to kerosene heaters. There are many reasons for this. First, the risk of fire when using electric heaters is much lower than when using kerosene heaters. Additionally, the by-products of burning kerosene, i.e., NO2, SO2, and CO, are well document health hazards.
For the above reasons, the best kerosene heater for indoor use should mostly be used to supplement rather than replace your central unit. Use them when power is out, where electrical power isn’t available, or when your electric heaters aren’t giving off enough heat. Remember that kerosene heaters are also a lot more portable than their electric counterparts.
Kerosene Heaters vs. Propane Heaters
Aside from electric heaters, propane heaters are the other type of home heaters often compared to kerosene heaters. The two compare as follows.
- Energy source: The first main difference is the energy source. Whereas kerosene heaters use kerosene, propane heaters use propane – a gas compressed into a liquid for use in heaters and grills. Both kerosene and propane are hydrocarbons, making them some of the most energy efficient source of heat.
- Operation: In terms of design, most propane heaters use what’s known as a piezoelectric igniter. A material, often made from quartz crystal, with the ability to develop electrical potential when put under pressure and housed in a chamber that allows a spring-loaded hammer to strike. Whenever you turn on the propane heater, the hammer strikes generating a spark that in turn ignites the propane. As we’ve already seen, in kerosene heaters, you ignite a wick, the flame enters a burner, and heat is produced.
- Cost: The price per gallon for kerosene and propane are in the same range, with kerosene being slightly cheaper (by around 10%).
- Efficiency: Efficiency is all about how much energy you can obtain from each gallon of kerosene or propane. Here, kerosene triumphs. While every gallon of propane should give about 91,000BTU, a gallon of kerosene contains up to 135,000BTUs. That’s approximately 38% more than propane.
- Safety: Of the two fuels, propane is the more significant safety risk. That’s because propane heaters work under pressure meaning there’s always a threat of explosion. As such, igniting a propane heater must be done carefully. Kerosene poses a few safety risks too. But, not as much as propane.
Depending on what you’d like to use your heater for, kerosene might be the better option. It is cheaper, produces more BTU energy per gallon, and is much safer and easier to store compared to propane. Propane too has its benefits. But most experts agree that the fuel is too precious to be used for home heating.
Are Kerosene Heaters Safe?
This is a complicated question that we can’t satisfy with a YES or a NO. However, all space heaters pose some risks. Below is a roundup of the top four risks associated with kerosene heaters. We also delve more into this topic in our space heater safety article.
- Fire: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 32% of home fires and 79% of home fire deaths are caused by home heating equipment. This often happens when you place a heating unit too close to a flammable object such as curtains, clothing, furniture, and sundries.
- Explosion: Though rare, kerosene heater explosions do happen from time to time, the leading cause of this being use of the wrong fuel. If you use gasoline in your kerosene heater, for example, an explosion is inevitable. These explosions can start fires, causing unnecessary property damages, injuries, and sometimes even fatalities.
- Another common cause of kerosene heater explosions is improper maintenance of the unit. Storing kerosene inside the house is also a safety hazard.
- Burns: Burns often occur either when users try to refill a heater without first turning it off or when users don’t give the unit enough time to cool down. Refilling a hot heater with kerosene can cause a flare-up, resulting in severe burns to anyone nearby. Burns can also result from touching heated parts of the unit. Therefore, if you have young children and pets, ensure that they’re far enough from the heater to avoid any accidents.
- Asphyxiation: Kerosene heaters consume oxygen when they burn. If you’re in a small room with few or no ventilation, this can result in reduced oxygen supply, resulting in incomplete burning. When this happens, carbon monoxide (CO) is produced. A colorless, odorless gas, CO is one of the most poisonous gases to humans. Exposure to the gas can quickly cause fainting and, if not checked, lead to death.
- Air pollution: Finally, aside from carbon monoxide, burning kerosene also produces several by-products that are harmful to the environment. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, all of which are produced whenever you burn kerosene, create a risk for people with asthma and cardiovascular disease and are a health problem for children, the elderly and pregnant women.
How to Safely Use Kerosene Heaters Indoors
The following are standard safety procedures to keep you, your family, and your home safe from the safety hazards discussed earlier.
- Only use 1-K grade kerosene: Never use anything else, especially gasoline, in your kerosene heater. 1-K grade kerosene is clear and has a distinctive smell.
- Ensure that the 1-K kerosene is certified: The reason you need to check for certification is that you can’t tell just by looking whether or not 1-K kerosene is contaminated.
- Purchase from a certified dealer: You’ve likely heard stories about vendors selling contaminated or poor-quality fuel to unsuspecting consumers. To avoid being a victim, only buy your kerosene from a certified dealer.
- Store the fuel in the right container: Never use a can that has previously been used to store gasoline. This can cause fuel contamination, resulting in an explosion. Instead, buy a specialized kerosene container. Kerosene containers are coded in blue while gasoline containers are coded in red.
- Check that you’re at the kerosene pump: If refilling your kerosene container at the gas station, check to ensure that you’re not at the gasoline pump. The majority of stations have a kerosene pump at a separate island.
- Refill your heater outside: Turn the unit off first, and then carry it out of the house. More importantly, make sure the unit is cool before you begin refilling.
- When in use, position the heater properly: Place the heater away from walkways and ensure proper ventilation. Don’t obstruct airflow with curtains, furniture, or anything else that can catch fire.
- Invest in a carbon monoxide detector: Since carbon monoxide is an ever-present danger when using kerosene heaters, investing is a well-branded carbon monoxide detector is a no brainer.
In addition to the above tips, always read the manufacturer manual to understand how to use your kerosene heater safely. Also, when refilling, don’t go beyond the “full” mark on the tank.
Important Note: Even after following all these tips, you might still run into problems from time to time. These include flare-ups, exposed flames, and thick smoke coming from the unit. Read on how to prevent kerosene heater from smoking.
If you run into such problems, don’t panic. Without moving the heater, switch it off, or use a fire extinguisher on it. If something catches fire, have everyone leave the house and call the fire department. If you prefer electric heaters, we have included some of the safest electric space heaters.
Care and Maintenance for your Kerosene Heater
Maintaining a kerosene heater requires a bit of effort. But, it’s not something that should eat up too much of your time. The following maintenance best practices are recommended.
- Care for the wick: The wick is the heart and soul of your kerosene heater. Make sure to take proper care of it for optimal performance. Among other things, never expose the wick to water. Water compromises the capillary ability of a wick. Also, replace the wick as soon as it burns dry.
- Care for the fuel tank: The fuel tank should be flushed after every 200 hours of operation or as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Do NOT use water for the flushing – only kerosene.
- Always use fresh fuel: Ideally, you want only to use fuel purchased within the last three months. Older fuel can not only compromise the performance of the heater but is also an explosion risk.
- Clean your fuel nozzles: This should be done before the onset of the heating season. Otherwise, you’ll run into all kinds of ignition problems. The easiest way to clean the nozzle is to blow compressed air through it. If that doesn’t work, soak the nozzle in kerosene to wash away any dirt particles.
- Clean air filters regularly: The manufacturer manual should give you a clear schedule on optimal cleaning frequencies. However, if that information isn’t available, clean your filters after every 500 hours of operation. Use only soap and water.
- Replace filters when necessary: Even with regular washing, filters become inefficient at some stage. To maintain quality air intake, replace old filters at least twice every year.
- Maintain the fuel filter too: Twice every heating season, take out the fuel filter and wash it – with kerosene. Don’t confuse this process with the cleaning of air filters. Fuel filters must only be cleaned using kerosene.
- Always check for fuel leaks: Kerosene heater tanks are sturdy enough to last many years without any leaks. However, you still need to inspect the unit for leaks at least every few months and right before the heating season.
For additional and model-specific maintenance tips, refer to your user manual. In case of any problems, call your HVAC professional.
Things to Consider When Purchasing an Indoor Kerosene Heater
Finally, you now understand the advantages of kerosene heaters, how these heaters work, how to safely use the heaters, and even how to maintain your heater. The only thing left is to pick the right heater for your needs. The following factors should help pick the right space heating unit for your home.
- Heater type: There are two main types of kerosene heaters; convection and radiant. Convection heaters are designed with a round shape that emits heat in a 360-degree fashion, with the fuel tank mostly tucked away under the wick. Radiant heaters, meanwhile, are mostly rectangular and don’t pump heat in 360-degrees. We recommend convention heaters if you’re looking to warm a more extensive area, such as a small home and radiant heaters when looking to heat a smaller space such as a garage.
- Battery ignition: It is a good idea to go for a kerosene heater with a battery operated ignition device. This way, you don’t have to use matches to light the unit.
- Overheat protection: Choose a heater with an overheat protector sensor. The way these sensors work is that they monitor the hotness of the heater and automatically turn the unit off if too much heat is detected.
- Removable fuel tank: If you’d like to leave your heater inside the house when it’s not in use, find a model with a removable fuel tank. These tanks can be detached from the rest of the heater and stored separately to prevent accidental fires.
- Anti-tip-over switch: An anti-tip-over switch turns off the heater the instant it gets knocked over, preventing damage from accidental fires. The feature is therefore vital if you have children and pets that may accidentally knock over the heater from time to time.
- Carbon monoxide monitor: It’s also wise to find a heater with a carbon monoxide monitor. The monitor lets you know the level of oxygen in your home and will alert you if there’s too much CO in your air.
Conclusion
From this kerosene heater reviews, you’ll find some of the models available on the market. Kerosene heaters are pretty old-school, but today’s versions are much safer and convenient for the average homeowner. They are great things to have stored away in the garage for when there are power cuts, but many models are also suitable for indoor use.
There are many safety precautions to take when planning to buy and use the best kerosene heater for indoor use. There is also some regular maintenance you need to do to keep it running correctly and safely. If you’re unsure about anything, always refer carefully to the manufacturer’s instructions.
