January 7, 2022
By Vanja PetrovicPosted in Heating
Now that the cold winter months are here, you may be wondering how to stay cozy and warm by whatever means possible, even indoors. After all, sometimes our heating systems fail to distribute heat evenly throughout the house, so some of us are left to find another way to heat our rooms or garages. Space heaters are an excellent solution in these situations, and today we’re diving into a kerosene torpedo heater style.
There are several types of space heaters on the market, but using them for additional heat can end up being very costly. That’s why people have been increasingly looking for energy-efficient space heaters.
If you’ve already started researching cost-effective and convenient solutions, you may have come across kerosene torpedo heaters.
Below, we’re going to discuss these types of heaters and their safety concerns. With these tips, you’ll be able to decide if a kerosene torpedo heater is the right solution for you.
First, we need to clarify what a kerosene torpedo heater is. The torpedo part refers to the type of heater, while kerosene refers to the type of fuel used for the heater.
A torpedo heater, or otherwise called a forced-air heater, is a type of heater that uses a fan to circulate warm air throughout your space. These heaters draw air in through the back, and thanks to powerful motors, pass that air through a cylinder with heating elements inside.
It then releases heated air and creates warm convection currents.
What is great about torpedo heaters is that they usually have high BTUs (British Thermal Units), which means that they can heat up a room fast and are suitable for medium-to-large areas. If you don’t find it to be enough for your bigger spaces, there are other great heaters for large rooms to look at.
Forced air heaters can use different fuels and are usually wheel mounted, making them a portable and convenient way of heating.
And when it comes to kerosene, it’s a common fuel that’s used for camping lanterns and lamps, but is also an efficient option for heating. Kerosene is a flammable fluid, and some safety measures must be taken, but it’s generally seen as safe to use.
Burning kerosene might produce a distinct odor, and some people may find this unpleasant. This might happen if you use lower quality fuel or if the fuel drips onto the heater. But, if you keep the wick protected and clean any spills immediately, the smell should be minimal.
Besides kerosene, torpedo heaters can also be powered by propane. The difference between kerosene and propane is that kerosene burns strongly and offers a substantial amount of heat, while propane is cleaner burning and much cheaper than kerosene.
One of the main reasons people decide to purchase a kerosene torpedo heater is the economic side of it. They generate heat at half the price of an electric heater.
However, the initial investment may be the drawback and the reason people don’t choose to buy kerosene torpedo heaters. These heaters cost twice as much as comparable electric heaters. But, when taking into consideration the lower electricity bill, it can pay off in the long run.
Besides being cost-effective, a kerosene torpedo heater is capable of generating much larger amounts of heat. They are often used to heat garages, barns or workshop areas, as they are very efficient in places that are hard to heat.
Moreover, they are a good backup heat source when power outages occur and can be used to prevent the freezing of pipes or even to thaw frozen pipes.
As previously mentioned, a kerosene torpedo heater is much more efficient than an electric space heater and a cost-effective solution in the long run. However, as kerosene is a flammable fluid, there have been some unfortunate situations in the past, and that’s why certain concerns have been raised about its use.
One of the biggest concerns about kerosene heaters is that they consume oxygen when they burn. This can be a particular problem in small or inadequately ventilated rooms, as oxygen can be reduced to a dangerous level. A low level of oxygen may lead to the incomplete combustion of fuel and the production of carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless and can be harmful to your health. That is why it’s essential to always keep a window or door open to avoid the buildup of toxic fumes.
Another concern is air pollution, as kerosene can also emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Breathing them in can also be damaging to your health.
If you use it properly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, kerosene torpedo heaters are quite safe. Newer models are made with safety features such as flame detection, overheat shut off, power surge protection and more.
If you use it indoors, make sure to keep a door or window open and ventilate the room adequately. Avoid putting the heater near flammable objects and materials such as furniture, drapes or large amounts of dust.
Never move a heater while in use, and always turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
It is very important to never use gasoline or other combustible, low-quality fuels. When you change the fuel, always do it outside (preferably on concrete).
As an additional precaution, we recommend installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for more comprehensive home protection.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a heater that can heat up your space fast and at a low cost, a kerosene torpedo heater is a great option. However, you need to take all the safety measures seriously while using this type of heater to avoid any unwanted and unfortunate situations.
Take everything we’ve mentioned into consideration and think about whether kerosene torpedo heaters are the right option for you.
