Gasoline is not the same as kerosene. Even small amounts of gasoline or other volatile fuels or solvents mixed with kerosene can substantially increase the risk of a fire or an explosion. Always store kerosene in a container intended for kerosene, not in a gasoline can or a can that has contained gasoline. This helps avoid using contaminated fuel or the wrong fuel by mistake.
Kerosene containers are usually blue, gasoline containers are red. When purchasing kerosene at the pump, make sure to use the kerosene pump, not the gasoline pump. Some service stations have separate islands for kerosene. Some oil companies have also established quality control programs to minimize the chances of gasoline contamination of kerosene. State-operated and private sector certification programs that ensure the quality of kerosene are established in some states.
Grades other than 1-K can lead to a release of more pollutants in your home, posing a possible health risk. Different grades of kerosene can look the same so it important that the dealer certify that the product sold is 1-K grade kerosene.
And never refuel a kerosene heater in living quarters or when the heater is still hot. Wait for it to cool. Fire officials strongly urge that kerosene heaters be turned off before you go to sleep. It's better to use your central heating system while the family is sleeping.
With a portable kerosene heater, you'll be making frequent trips to a kerosene fuel dealer, unless you're on a delivery route. One large convective heater operating 15 hours a day needs up to 14 gallons of fuel a week - an amount that would require three five-gallon kerosene containers. Be sure the containers are clearly marked "Kerosene. It's dangerous to mix gasoline and kerosene - or their containers. Never use a gasoline can as a substitute for a kerosene container.
Once you get the containers back home, you'll need a place to keep the kerosene cans and to refuel the heater. In both cases, a garage is preferable to the house. If there's no garage, a basement location distant from the central heating system or an outside storage shed are possibilities. Resist the temptation to refuel a hot kerosene heater in a warm house - it's like playing with dynamite!
And never smoke during refueling. Follow the siphon pump instructions and fill only about 90 percent of the tank. Cold kerosene expands in a heater tank as it warms to room temperature and could overflow if there isn't enough room. Return the heater to the spot where it will be turned on. Open at least one window slightly and ignite the heater according to the manufacturer's instructions.
These dangers include: Fire or explosion. Picking the model There are two types of portable kerosene heaters - convective and radiant. Dealing with hazards A well-designed kerosene heater emits no smoke or strong odor during normal operation. Using it safely If you purchase a portable kerosene heater, you'll have to allow time for buying fuel, fueling the heater and taking care of maintenance. Remember that you can lessen the fire, serious burn, pollution and asphyxiation dangers from kerosene heaters by: Following safety tips.
Maintaining a constant source of fresh air. Do not make the mistake of buying a kerosene heater with a higher BTU rating than you need!
First off, there are issues of efficiency. A kerosene heater will only operate efficiently if it is run at its maximum BTU. Trying to reduce the heat level will just cause you to waste fuel. It can also cause incomplete burning and foul odors.
Another issue is that high BTU heaters will produce more carbon monoxide. When used in a small space, this can be dangerous. Calculating BTU Requirements: As a general rule of thumb, take the square footage that needs to be heated and multiply by So, a square foot room will need a 10, BTU kerosene heater.
You can also use this BTU calculator. Dyna-Glo is one of the leading names in kerosene heaters. Their 23, BTU convection heater is easy to use and the right size for most home uses. Check Prices on Amazon. The heater uses only kerosene fuel. Diesel is simply too dirty for this heater to handle. The fuel tank holds almost 2 gallons of kerosene.
Once you light the heater, it heats up a room VERY quickly. At maximum setting, you might only get hours of run time from a tank though. A fuel siphon is even included with the heater. A cool thing about convection kerosene heaters designed like this with a flat-topped safety grill is that you can actually heat food on top of it — a great feature to have during power outages. Best For: Everyday use, such as heating garages, as well as heating inside your home during power outages.
Check On Amazon. There are lots of controls, and I particularly love that the fuel gauge shows how many hours of heating you have left. With the 80k option, you can heat up to 1, square feet with the heater. And it will heat the space FAST! A nice thing about Dyno-Glo is that they have good troubleshooting. The only downside of this heater is that it is a bit loud when running which is expected of forced air kerosene heaters. Also, note that this is a forced-air heater.
It needs to be plugged in for the fan to work. Best For: People who need a powerful heater for large spaces. See best indoor generators and best propane generators.
Heater makes several models of forced air kerosene heaters. Their 75K BTU option has a 6-gallon fuel tank which can run for 11 hours on kerosene. The best thing about the heater, though, is probably how easy it is to use. With the 75k heater, you can heat up to 1, square feet.
The fuel tank is 6 gallons, which is a bit larger than other kerosene heaters of similar strength. The larger tank size means the heater will run longer about 11 hours , but it does mean the heater is heavier at nearly 40lbs. If you have a bad back, you might want to get the Mr. Heater , BTU model instead, which is on wheels and easier to move. Feel free to give us a call at if we can help with any other questions.
I know you say you cannot use forced air propane heaters inside an enclosed area. However, what if I have the heater outside and than duct the heat inside my building.
Would this be considered safe? Kerosene forced air heaters are not designed to be ducted into a building, but our directional heaters are. Our garage has an additional external side door that goes from outside to in the garage. With an 18, btu propane heater is it safe to leave just the extra door open and keep the garage door closed and but a carbon monoxide detector just to be safe?
Our gas water heater is located in the garage also. Did I understand that correctly and will just opening that one door with something propping it open be ok to do? Leaving the walk door to the outside open should provide enough air exchange to operate the heater. However when a room is going to be occupied, make sure there is also a working CO detector in the room. Hi, looking to have a small gathering outside on my patio.
I have a pop up and it will be against the house so 2 sides are open. I may close 1 side in so maybe 1 side open. Do you think a kerosene heater or propane? Hi Bob, either a kerosene or propane heater will work, but a propane unit will have less odor.
Make sure to have proper ventilation. Hope that was helpful, if you have any other questions, please feel free to give us a call at HI, We are creating outdoor classrooms for our school, the largest tents are square feet. We are interested in heaters to take the edge off, and faculty envisions at least 2 sides being open at all times. What type of heater would you recommend in this scenario?
Plenty of ventilation under cottage. Is CO likely to seep up into the cottage? Yes, there is the possibility of CO to enter the cottage. Also a torpedo heater should be attended at all times it is running. I am assuming there is a lot of combustible material in the crawl space that could catch fire if the heater is left running. Please feel free to give us a call at if you have any further questions. Hi Rose, Our heaters are not recommended for residential living areas. These fuel figures are inaccurate..
Propane is the cleaner choice but its the most expensive…. Hi John, Fuel prices are based off a US average. Depending on the size of the heater and fuel prices in your area it may vary on what type of heater is cheaper to operate for your specific needs. Recent Articles. Home About Blog Should you get a kerosene or propane portable heater? Should you get a kerosene or propane portable heater? Kerosene or Propane Portable Heater In our post-industrial world, we take a lot for granted. Propane Forced Air Portable Heater.
Donny says:. October 29, at pm. November 1, at pm. Knudj says:. December 27, at am. January 8, at pm. Gregg says:. November 19, at pm. Bob Reid says:. February 4, at pm.
February 5, at am. February 5, at pm. Mark says:. November 25, at pm. George Watson says:. November 2, at pm. Joe Montgomery says:. November 7, at pm.
0コメント