Should I buy a kerosene heater?

Question

I am planning to move into an old house recently that has no central heat and air and no propane heaters in it. From what I have read online kerosene heater would seem like the better choice for me despite the cons of them. The 2 rooms are about about 180 sq. ft. The other two are like 100 sq. ft. The electric heaters I have bought have not been putting out enough heat and the oil filled radiator I had bought seemed like it did not get hot fast ehough. help please.

Answer 1

Try using an Eden Pure heater. The odor from Kerosene is horrible and the price of the Kerosene has gone up! This heater works very well for us. It doesn't get hot on top as the advertisement says. My cat loves to lay on it. It kicks on and off when needed. The # is 800-466-7688. Good luck in your choice of heaters.

Answer 2

My kerosene heaters are EXACTLY what everyone calls oil-filled radiators. They run on electricity.

If you mean something with an open flame that burns kerosene, I'm not familiar.

Since you are unable to heat small rooms with oil filled electrically powered radiators, you either live in a very cold region or you have inadequate insulation.

Start by sealing window and door cracks. If you have a fireplace and don't use it, seal the entrance with some plywood and a strip of insulating foam around the edges.

Now that you've sealed the cracks, you have A BIGGER PROBLEM. You can't use any unvented live flame heater because the carbon monoxide risk is too high.

You can buy monoxide monitors -- like smoke alarms -- at any hardware store or on eBay.

Putting it together:
1) Seal the air leaks
2) Buy a monoxide monitor, about $20.
3) Heat quickly with your oven or stove burners that burn natural gas.
4) Maintain the heat with oil filled radiators.

Answer 3

My MIL uses a kerosene heater as supplemental heat source. As long as you follow all the directions and safety info, they work fine. As far as the smell, it usually is the worst when turning off. She takes hers outside when doing this. It also saves on the black smoke staining the ceiling. Kerosene prices have gone up to around $3 a gallon here.

Answer 4

Have you tried local hardware stores? Some will carry wicks and some will not. I would assume that wherever you bought the heater would also carry wicks. If all else fails, try the internet.

Answer 5

Why not go with a nice propane heater and have them set a tank outside your house ??