What to Know about Choosing a Kerosene Oil Space Heater

Posted: Dec 16, 2012
Author: Bumgarner Oil

If you’re planning on buying a kerosene oil space heater, ensure that you understand the risks that come with an open flame. Also, the space it is going to heat should be well ventilated because these heating devices can emit toxic fumes. When you understand all the safety aspects, choosing a kerosene oil heater comes down to deciding between a convection unit and a radiant unit.

A convection kerosene oil heater is circular and distributes heat in all directions – as seen in this image:

As such, it must be placed well away from flammable items such as furniture and drapes, as well as walls. Ideally, a convection kerosene oil heater should be placed in the middle of a room to allow for even distribution of warmth. To burn the oil, you light a circular wick. The bottom of the wick is made from absorbent material, so it can constantly feed fuel to the flame.

You cannot adjust the temperature on most convection kerosene oil heaters. This means it’s difficult to keep a constant temperature inside a space. If a room gets too hot, the heater must be completely shut off.

A radiant kerosene oil heater is housed in a 3-sided fire-resistant unit. Unlike a convection model, the heat is delivered from the front only – as this picture indicates:

The back and sides don’t get hot, so the heater can be placed closer to furnishings and walls, making this type a safer choice. Although radiant versions have the same heating mechanisms and wicks as convection units, they typically don’t produce as much heat.