Even though kerosene heaters are not as popular as other fossil fuel heaters, they are still used widely by a lot of people. If you make use of a kerosene heater in your house or your workplace, you should make sure that you follow proper precautions to avoid any hazards that can be caused by the kerosene heater. Kerosene heaters are versatile as they can be used in a lot of different places like a garage, or a barn, and many other outdoor applications.
However, concerns arise when it comes to making use of kerosene heaters indoors. They can be harmful and can put the users of kerosene heaters indoors into life-threatening medical conditions.
In this article, we are going to discuss the application of kerosene heaters indoors. We are also going to answer some questions like can you use a kerosene heater indoors, how to use a kerosene heater indoors, for how long does a kerosene heater burns, etc.
Before starting off with all this, let us take a look at the benefits that a kerosene heater beholds for us.
Benefits Of A Kerosene Heater
Kerosene heaters are an amazing source to get heat and get warm during the chilly weather that we call winter. Some of the vital benefits of kerosene heaters are as follows:
- A powerful source of heat and warmth The kerosene heaters provide a larger amount of heat than any propane heaters and a lot more than a natural gas heater.
- Low-cost fuel Kerosene is one of the cheapest forms of extracted fossil fuels and is a lot cheaper than an electric heater. If you want to maximize the energy that a kerosene heater uses, you can also opt for an energy-sufficient kerosene heater.
- Long-lasting source of energy In comparison to other heating sources, kerosene heaters are a lot more durable if taken care of and maintained properly. If the heater is stored in suitable metal containers and is free of rust, the heater can last for almost 10 years.
- Multiple options Lastly, kerosene heaters come with a lot of styling options like size, color, and shapes. There is a wide variety of options from which you can choose a kerosene heater that is suitable for you. There are portable kerosene heaters and there are permanently installed kerosene heaters.
Dangers That Can Be Caused By Kerosene Heaters
The following are some dangers that can be caused by kerosene heaters:
- Risk of fire: It is no secret that kerosene is a highly flammable extraction of fossil fuel. The fuel can catch fire and spread it around rapidly. Not only this, but other combustible items like aerosol sprays can also catch fire and can cause damage to the place where they are placed. You must be extremely careful even while refilling the removable fuel tank. Make sure to keep the heater away from any drapes or curtains as they can catch fire easily and spread around the whole room or house.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: Kerosene heater, if is not working properly or is malfunctioning, it can begin to emit harmful gases like carbon monoxide. And we all know that carbon monoxide is no friend to us. It can lead to suffocation, cardiac problems, and other issues with respiration. CO, when is inhaled, attaches itself to the hemoglobin in the blood and restricts the supply of oxygen. This can lead to suffocation and sometimes even death.
Now, you may wonder, if kerosene heaters are so useful, but do have life-threatening hazards, are they safe to use indoors?
Can You Use A Kerosene Heater Indoors?
Well, kerosene heaters are an exceptional source of heat and an unconventional way to heat up and provide warmth in a garage or barn. However, when using it indoors, you ought to be extra vigilant to avoid any type of hazards that may occur while using them indoors. They can cause a lot of damage if left unsupervised.
It is highly prohibited that you should not let the kerosene heater stay on for the whole night. You may inhale the toxic gases that are emitted by the heater. This may lead to a lot of physical problems and issues like disorders of respiration, eventual loss of vision, damage to the nervous system, episodes of purging and unconsciousness, etc.
Using Kerosene Heaters Indoors
Aside from following precautions, you should also keep a regulated check on the usage of kerosene heaters indoors.
- Keep a regular check on the wick of the heater. Before every use, you must check the wick and ensure that is in a proper condition to be used. Low flame, flickering flame, deposits of tar, etc are indications that the wick is in an improper condition.
- Replace the wick when necessary. After checking the wick regularly, you must make changes as required. If less fuel is being absorbed by the wick, or if it is damaged in one way or another, you must replace it immediately.
- Storing the kerosene heater and maintaining it properly. Before keeping the heater away during summer, you must clean the heater throughout and ensure that it is in proper condition. You must drain the fuel tank and the heater should be stored in a dry and cool place.
Final Thoughts On Kerosene Heater Safety
I hope that after reading about how to use kerosene heaters indoors, you are able to understand how important it is to maintain proper safety precautions. We answered some of the major questions like the hazards of using a kerosene heater, can you use kerosene heaters indoors, using kerosene heaters indoors, etc. Kerosene heaters are a source of emergency heating but should be taken care of.
Let us know in the comments which do you think is the best kerosene heater for indoor use and how has your experience been. How long does a kerosene heater burns depends on the place it is being used at. Outdoors, it can work for a little longer than it can for indoors.