We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Choose the Best Kerosene Space Heater?

By Susan Grindstaff
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,435
Share

If you are planning to purchase a kerosene space heater, be sure you understand the risks associated with having a heater that produces an open flame. These heating units may also emit toxic fumes, so ventilation of the room is usually necessary. Once you understand the safety concerns, choosing a kerosene space heater comes down to making a choice between a radiant or convection unit.

A convection kerosene space heater is typically circular, and heat is distributed all around the heater. For this reason, they must be placed well away from walls and flammable items such as draperies and furniture. For heat to be distributed evenly, these heaters should ideally be placed in the middle of the room. The kerosene fuel is burned by lighting a circular wick. Made from absorbent material, the bottom of the wick is constantly feeding fuel to the flame.

Most types of convection kerosene heaters are not temperature adjustable. This makes it difficult to maintain a constant temperature inside the room. If the area gets too hot, they must be shut off completely. The average heating output of a convection kerosene heater is about 23,000 British thermal units (BTUs).

A radiant kerosene heater is typically housed in a three-sided fireproof unit, and unlike convection units, the heat is distributed only from the front. The sides and back do not get hot, so generally these heaters can be placed nearer to walls and furnishings, which generally make them a better choice as a space heater. They have the same type of wick and heating mechanism as convection units, but usually do not produce as much heat. Most kerosene radiant heaters only produce about 12,000 BTUs of heat.

The amount of ventilation required for a kerosene space heater depends on the size of the room where it is being used and the BTUs of the heater. Most heaters come with paperwork and instructions that outline safety precautions and ventilation requirements. A rule of thumb for ventilation is 1 square inch (.6 square mm) of window opening for every 1,000 BTUs of heat produced. Failure to ventilate properly could cause breathing difficulties or carbon monoxide poisoning, which could result in death.

In spite of the risks associated with the use of a kerosene space heater, there are some benefits. Most of the time, kerosene is less expensive than other types of combustible fuel. In addition, most kerosene space heaters do not require electricity for lighting, so in the event of a power outage, they can still operate. Some of them are even designed with a flat plate on top so they can be used for cooking.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-choose-the-best-kerosene-space-heater.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.