using a kerosene heater?

[Pandemic]

So, yes. I will have to start using a kerosene heater this year. It's a pretty complicated little thing but I can figure that part out on my own. My questions:
What are the dangers?
What are some tips?
What should I know before starting to use this?

etc?


Thanks

[bobbycos]

So, yes. I will have to start using a kerosene heater this year. It's a pretty complicated little thing but I can figure that part out on my own. My questions:
What are the dangers?
What are some tips?
What should I know before starting to use this?

etc?


Thanks

fumes if not properly ventilated


why are you using a kerosene heater if i may ask, does you apt in japan have heat?

[JoshM]

Safety Concerns

Because kerosene heaters are usually unvented, all combustion products are released into the indoor air. Among these are soot, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and some carbon monoxide. An improperly adjusted, fueled, or poorly maintained kerosene heater will release more pollutants. Use of a kerosene heater in a poorly ventilated home, especially in modern well insulated ones, could pose a health risk. Most manufacturers suggest that a window be left cracked open. Kerosene heaters should not be left unattended, especially while sleeping. A kerosene heater, as any heater that uses organic fuel, when running out of oxygen can produce massive amounts of soot and carbon monoxide. Failure to abide by these precautions could result in asphyxiation or carbon monoxide poisoning, but as modern heaters automatically shut off when there is no oxygen left in the room, and as they burn at very high efficiency, they make CO poisoning almost impossible.

Hot surfaces on the heater pose a fire and burn risk. The open flame poses an explosion risk in environments where flammable vapors may be present, such as in a garage. Use of improper or contaminated fuel could cause poor performance, a fire or an explosion. There are risks involved with the storage of kerosene and while refilling the heater.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerosene_heater

[Pandemic]

No, it doesn't LOL. Who would have thought. There is no central heating in Japan except for Hokkaido. Instead we have to use kerosene or electric space heaters. I'm STILL having a hard time accepting this. Waking up in the morning really blows because it's so cold.

Does anyone use a kerosene heater who also has asthema? I think that might upset my Fiance's asthema. Grr.

[HenRoc]

Damn when I saw the headline I immediately thought of this:



I haven't used a Kerosene stove in YEARS I would just use an electric space heater if I were you man.

[Pandemic]

yeah, Im wondering which is cheaper. The kerosene heater could heat this place up faster but ... I think there are a lot of draw backs. one being having to ventilate the place. Kinda defeats the purpose.

[JoshM]

Kerosene will also make your apt smell like shit.
Which will make your clothes smell like shit.
Which will make you smell like shit.



Get an electric heater!

[GangstaCB7]

We use one at work and yea there's some fumes.........we have huge shop doors so ventilation is not a problem, but for sure not a good thing to use in a small apartment. Wat r people around u using?

[Accrdwgnguy]

No, it doesn't LOL. Who would have thought. There is no central heating in Japan except for Hokkaido. Instead we have to use kerosene or electric space heaters. I'm STILL having a hard time accepting this. Waking up in the morning really blows because it's so cold.

Does anyone use a kerosene heater who also has asthema? I think that might upset my Fiance's asthema. Grr.

What??? Thats ridiculous. Are you saying that the Japanese, who have to have the latest and greatest in technology, rely on crappy little space heaters for heat?

Anyways I'd go for electric. Kerosene heaters stink, I have a torpedo heater for my garage and I hate it, have to have the garage door cracked. Those fumes get to me. Plus kero is messy and oily and stinks even when youre not burning it, similar to diesel.

[JoshM]

Kerosene heaters stink, I have a torpedo heater for my garage and I hate it, have to have the garage door cracked.

We had those at my old job.
They stink, but they definitely warm the place up QUICK!

[Pandemic]

Yeah, everyone else around here uses kerosene or electric. I have to look at the costs... I almost want to say we should use electric regardless just because of how big of a hassle kerosene seems to be. BUT if kerosene is cheaper, we'll need to use it eventually. It warms up here during the day but nights are damn cold. Mornings suck, I never want to get out of bed.


Yes, JAPAN, has no central heat. I have a friend in China... even HE has central heating. Could be worse though, this place is a newer place (11yo) so we have a lot better insulation than houses that are older. Still, it's a pain in the ass. i want something to keep this place at a slightly normal temperature 24/7 when we get home we can turn it up.

[PowderedMilkMan]

Wow I love the smell of kerosene heaters, although I have been working at an airport for 4 years so I like the smell of Jet exhaust and Diesel exhaust as well, hahah. That sucks about the heating situation, no propane heaters?

[Leung]

i use a decent sized electric space heater to keep my bedroom warm, no fumes or stinky smell. Theres an timer on it so it automatically shuts off when i set it if i know i'm going to fall asleep. theres also a remote for it just incase i'm too lazy to get out of bed to turn it on or off manually.

[ric3rboi23]

we use a kerosene heater in our house when the power goes out for long enough ^_^

i like the smell

[cp[mike]]

i use a kerosene heater for the garage for those mid-winter swap projects....

i personally wouldnt want to run one of those in my house, if you dont take care of it and let the wick get charred a little bit, start-up is VERY smokey, youd have to fire it up outside, wait for it to warm, then bring it in, and that is difficult when it is burning hot. and still it smells and puts off soot and not enough heat.

an electric space heater might be a better consideration, though not as efficient/inexpensive to run...

is there natural gas in the apt? hook up a natural gas heater, mounts right to the wall, very easy to hook up, puts off a ton of heat, with no smell-