kerosene heaters : good/no good? I rent a big house that has central heating and no individual room heat control. Looking for cheap heating for cold days, for my bedroom / study... mom says kerosene is cheap. is this really a good solution -- or with price of gas now, not so good, plus dangerous and smelly? kerosene heaters : good/no good? I rent a big house that has central heating and no individual room heat control. Looking for cheap heating for cold days, for my bedroom / study... mom says... » Read More kerosene heaters : good/no good? I rent a big house that has central heating and no individual room heat control. Looking for cheap heating for cold days, for my bedroom / study... mom says kerosene is cheap. is this really a good solution -- or with price of gas now, not so good, plus dangerous and smelly? « Show Less
1040085
I have used wick type kerosene heaters for auxiliary inexpensive heat indoors. They are reasonably effective, but require some operator maintenance. Most are made in Korea, Japan, or China. Kerosene is a bit more expensive recently, but USD5.00 per gallon is still available. Even with so called "odorless" kerosene, there is a moderately strong lingering combustion odor. I am not aware of any safety problems but prudence says only operate with some fresh air available such as a "cracked" window. There also may still exist free standing kerosene stoves that are much more powerful but have not seen in USA for awhile. Buena suerte! I have used wick type kerosene heaters for auxiliary inexpensive heat indoors. They are reasonably effective, but require some operator maintenance. Most are made in Korea, Japan, or China. Kerosene is a bit more expensive recently, but USD5.00 per gallon is still available. Even with so called "odorless" kerosene, there is a moderately strong lingering combustion odor. I am not aware of any safety problems but prudence says only operate with some fresh air available such as a "cracked" window. There also may still exist free standing kerosene stoves that are much more... » Read More I have used wick type kerosene heaters for auxiliary inexpensive heat indoors. They are reasonably effective, but require some operator maintenance. Most are made in Korea, Japan, or China. Kerosene is a bit more expensive recently, but USD5.00 per gallon is still available. Even with so called "odorless" kerosene, there is a moderately strong lingering combustion odor. I am not aware of any safety problems but prudence says only operate with some fresh air available such as a "cracked" window. There also may still exist free standing kerosene stoves that are much more powerful but have not seen in USA for awhile. Buena suerte! « Show Less
1040086
Kerosene is not cheap. It is more expensive than diesel fuel, which is a lot more than gas. It also can be hard to find depending on where you live. If it was me I'd just go with an electric oil filled radiator for the safety and convenience factor... the operating cost will be similar. No fuel to worry about (and carry around, and refill, and spill), no flames to worry about, no CO to worry about. Really the only advantage of a kerosene heater is if you don't have any power to run an electric. And in that case I'd prefer a propane heater to kerosene anyway.
2149769
As long as u nake sure the heat control is set right, no gas leak. We have no carbon dioxide leakage. I cannot see a problrn with running a. Line anywhere in the house as long as u do it right. U might ask kozy world for specifics. We have it ibstalled in our kitchrn (1938 built house) and a gas fireplace in livibg room (520 sqft house) and it is very efficient! Last year we. Had power bills over $150 a month plus gas bill of $40 per. Month in winter. We have been using this since September and the total gas and electric for 2 months is only $120. I am not an expert (has been drip under pressure) but we love our kozy workd heater.
705734
I don't know that I agree with him. My bills appear to be rather even in so much as my electric bill went up because of using the electric water heater, yet my gas bill went down because I'm not keeping a tank of hot water constantly heated using gas. I use gas sparingly even in the winter with heat. I like to keep it pretty cold but use electric space heater's in the rooms where I'm actually living. I live in a small condo so I was glad to have the extra space that isn't taken up by a large water heater.It gave me space for a mop bucket brooms etc. Hope this is useful to you
1452486
From a safety standpoint, I would recommend a vented heater. That being said, I own six unvented heaters. Having a sufficient turnover of fresh air is the key. If carbon monoxide builds up, it can be a killer. I have an old and drafty farmhouse, so the inside air is constantly being exchanged with fresh air. I recommend that you install a CO alarm in each room that has a unvented heater and in each bedroom as well.You may need to install propane line. It is pretty simple for someone with basic handyman skills and a couple of pipe wrenches. I did all of my own piping, and haven't blown up my house yet. From a safety standpoint, I would recommend a vented heater. That being said, I own six unvented heaters. Having a sufficient turnover of fresh air is the key. If carbon monoxide builds up, it can be a killer. I have an old and drafty farmhouse, so the inside air is constantly being exchanged with fresh air. I recommend that you install a CO alarm in each room that has a unvented heater and in each bedroom as well.You may need to install propane line. It is pretty simple for someone with basic handyman skills and a couple of pipe wrenches. I did all of my own piping, and haven't... » Read More From a safety standpoint, I would recommend a vented heater. That being said, I own six unvented heaters. Having a sufficient turnover of fresh air is the key. If carbon monoxide builds up, it can be a killer. I have an old and drafty farmhouse, so the inside air is constantly being exchanged with fresh air. I recommend that you install a CO alarm in each room that has a unvented heater and in each bedroom as well.You may need to install propane line. It is pretty simple for someone with basic handyman skills and a couple of pipe wrenches. I did all of my own piping, and haven't blown up my house yet. « Show Less
33732
Kerosene torpedo heaters would be able to operate with a thermostat, since they can start on their own when power is applied, but this propane type requires manual intervention. Depending on your requirements, a kerosene version may be a consideration, particularly good for outdoor use. Indoors and with more enclosed areas, propane would be better as there would be less odors emitted.
692014
I own this heater and have been very, very pleased with it. I recommend it highly. I can't find my instruction manual at this moment, but I do recall reading that it can only use kerosene. I am not 100% certain that is true, but okay....I'm 99% sure I read that when I got it. I noticed some reviews on other websites that said "Wish it could use farm diesel fuel," so that tends to make me think it will not, even without finding my user manual and reading it for myself. However, as I mentioned, this is a great heater. For my applications, it's the best thing I have found.
1558483
Bonnie I don't know what happened to my first response. So I'll answer again. I use the 23,000 btu radiant heater and I love it. I have a 70ft double wide and its very open. I am researching a smaller unit like this one to save on kero. I am learning this as I read the reviews. Do a google search for utube kero heaters and you will learn how they work, how to clean and maintain these heaters. I love the one I have and wish to have purchased sooner. If you are concerned about changing the wick...your local hardware store is probably available to replace your wick. The clean burn u should be able to do. Anyway, hopes this help. You will definately save on propane gas. Actually, I only use my furnace to take the chill off and for cooking. I close off my bedroom using a Delonghi elect radiator and I am searching this heater reviews to use it instead. I buy kero K-1 from home depot instead of a gas station as it may contain water or other contaminants...this is my choice. So go it girl and happy heatinlg. Aneesah
1697888
Hello. Yes, its very good for Boon-Docking. We have been RVer's for over 46 years. Yes its very simple to tap into your RV's Low Pressure Propane Lines. The Wave #6 is a very good Propane Heater. We have been Boon-Dockers for most of our 46 years as RV'ers'. We never even use our Motorhomes Furance anyways. As we also have a "BUDDY" MR. Heater and a "BIG BUDDY" MR HEATER as well, I mounted our Wave #6 Propane Heater as a Portable, and with enough Low Pressure Propane Hose that was long enough to reach from one end of the RV to the other end of the RV. That way you can move the # 6 Wave Heater to where never you want the most heat to be at. We have been using our wave # 6 Heater for a little over 20 years now. Its a Fantastic Propane Heater. And yes we sleep with it on all night when ever it is needed. Just follow a few simple instructions that come with the Wave # 6 Propane Heater, and you'll do just fine. One thing though, make sure you buy a " WAVE HEATER COVER" for when you not using the Wave # 6Heater to ensure it keeps it clean, espically to keep the Pads clean, that is a must if you want to use you Wave # 6 for many, many years. As it costs almost as much to replace the fire Plates in them then the cost of a new one. Good Luck. Happy Travels. Dan & Jill
1420473
I have two of them in an 850 sf house in the pacific northwest, and they heat it just fine. Course, the amount of insulation in the house is a big factor. Mine is well insulated in the ceiling. I also have a single unit in a 200 sf "granny pod" and it does fine. Keep in mind a small plug-in space heater is 1500 watts, while this unit is 2250 watts. If you go to the King Electric web site they have some data on sizing electric heaters.
1578861
I would say is the room is ventilated to where you don't get any fumes. but the manufacturer say not to. I grew up with a propane cook stove and don't see much difference in it if proper cautions are observed. I got mine incase of a power outage and as luck would have it we did not loose electricity last winter. so all I have done with mine so far is make sure it worked properly
1452487
You must have "gas" to use this heater. If you don't have gas in your home then this type of heater will not work. If you have an all electric home. I suggest contacting your gas company for advice on the type of heater to get. I'm not an expert at all.
822185
This heater, like all propane/gas heaters, emits carbon monoxide deadly gas. I use it in my garage which is well ventilated. If you want a gas heater for your home, you have to get a vented heater which has an exhaust outdoors (different type of heater than this).
1185673
Hello, The Lifesmart Heater i bought never worked good. I believe that i got a defective model. I fixed it myself and found loose wire connections inside of the unit. It reduces my electrical bill about 25% but i use two heaters in my house. One is the Lifesmart 1500 and the other is a different model Diva Tranquility 1500 model. I like the Diva model much better and the two infrared heaters combined heat my entire house well. My home is 1,260 sq. ft. and i set the heaters at 65 degrees and dont use my big whole house heater all winter. I do save some electricity in Kentucky. Our electric is expensive here and higher than a lot of other places we lived. I hope this helps you out!
1374416
Definitely not! This heater belts out the heat, great heater, but also the smell of kerosene is heavy and would taint your food. Also, the wire protector is not designed for anything to be set on top of it.
1678474
We tried everything with this heater. Even a new wick. It just doesn't work well and it is VERY smelly, as in the smell of kerosene.good luck
1550690
Hey Jeff Heres the thing about this heater...it is cheap so it is a temporary heater because it only last about 5-6 month. I'd bought 2 of these heater and it lasted 5 months and it malfunction. If u want a long lasting heater I would go with eheim heater or aqua top. Hope this helps and have a great day!
2131547
We used our Mr. Heater in a camp trailer, but my husband is a fireman and I work in the Safety field so we too had reservations about this heater. First we burned a complete bottle of propane so to burn off any "new" smell, which we did not notice any. We also did not notice any fumes during use, but we always have some sort of ventilation. It is not direct flame and has a guard over the front, and if tipped over, it could probably ignite items if left for more than a few seconds. I would definitely place it on a solid surface. The heat source maintained our 28' trailer in 20 degree temps at a comfortable level. Reviews I read indicated this heater was used by many in a tent. Kids just add another dimension. We used our Mr. Heater in a camp trailer, but my husband is a fireman and I work in the Safety field so we too had reservations about this heater. First we burned a complete bottle of propane so to burn off any "new" smell, which we did not notice any. We also did not notice any fumes during use, but we always have some sort of ventilation. It is not direct flame and has a guard over the front, and if tipped over, it could probably ignite items if left for more than a few seconds. I would definitely place it on a solid surface. The heat source maintained our 28' trailer in 20... » Read More We used our Mr. Heater in a camp trailer, but my husband is a fireman and I work in the Safety field so we too had reservations about this heater. First we burned a complete bottle of propane so to burn off any "new" smell, which we did not notice any. We also did not notice any fumes during use, but we always have some sort of ventilation. It is not direct flame and has a guard over the front, and if tipped over, it could probably ignite items if left for more than a few seconds. I would definitely place it on a solid surface. The heat source maintained our 28' trailer in 20 degree temps at a comfortable level. Reviews I read indicated this heater was used by many in a tent. Kids just add another dimension. « Show Less