Kerosene heaters are viewed by most as an archaic, outdated
method of heating. But in reality, kerosene is a very cost effective,
easy to use source of heat. While most of us picture the ancient glass
lamp when we think of kerosene heaters, there are many modern, high
efficiency kerosene based heating systems on the market today.
With
impressive BTU production, these units are powerful enough to warm a
very large living area at a reasonable cost. While many people enjoy the
ease of electrical space heaters, the biggest flaw with these units is
the very high cost of operation. With electrical bills skyrocketing in
recent years, it's a viable option to explore kerosene as an
alternative.
Kerosene can be stored for many years, and, contrary
to what some might think, it's no more dangerous to store than any of
the chemicals that are already kept in your household. Kerosene heaters,
in fact, can be considered much safer than gas heating systems. With a
gas heating system, even a small gas leak can be catastrophic. Something
as simple as a pilot light going out can lead to an entire home filling
with gas. In addition to the risk of combustion and fire, these fumes
are very hazardous for family members who may be unknowingly breathing
them in.
Another wonderful advantage of kerosene heating is the
portability. Do you have a garage or workshop that's constantly ice cold
in the winter? Having additional duct work run to this area can cost an
arm and a leg, and to make matters worse, you're then stealing away
valuable heating BTU's from the main living areas of your home. For
households with an freestanding structure that's not directly attached
to the home, this isn't even an option.
With a kerosene heater,
it's as simple as filling it and turning it on. You can use it as
needed. Once a day, once a week, or once a month, with kerosene, you pay
only for what you use. Kerosene heaters are great for camping trips or
outdoor activities as well. There are no wires, no power outlets, no gas
lines, and no pilot lights to deal with. Simply set it down and turn it
on, and you're enjoying comfortable, efficient heating immediately. An
old fashioned kerosene heater can be a great conversation piece as well.
Nothing
is more relaxing than enjoying a good book during the winter months in a
comfortable chair beside an old fashioned kerosene flame. With
constantly escalating electricity and gas bills, it's no surprise that
people across the world are searching for alternative forms of energy.
With the flexibility to heat only a portion of your home, it may be
worth investing in a kerosene heater. Why turn on an entire central air
unit and heat up the entire home when you're only using one room? Try
out a kerosene heater and enjoy the savings that many people have known
about for years!
Sarah writes about ways to save money on heating and cooling
bills. Among Sarah's most recent work is an extensive write-up on the
topic of
portable kerosene heaters and how to effectively and safely use your heater in a
kerosene heater safety guide.
