Emergency Kerosene Heating

[tim0477]

I installed a natural gas unit heater in my garage. I was contemplating cleaning up the kerosene heater I used to use out there and keeping it for emergency heat in the house. What kind of results can I reasonably expect from a 23,000 BTU heater in a 1500 square foot home with good insulation. Its the wick type, not the forced air torpedo type. In the garage, there was only a slight kerosene smell which was tolerable to be around. Not sure how it would be in the house which is tighter insulated. Thinking keeping the heater and maybe (3) 5 gallon cans of kerosene on hand for a few days worth of emergency heat.

Tim

[AllenJr]

We have a 23k kerosene heater for back up. My house is pretty big too. And it does fine. We like the heat at 65 degrees. The kero will keep it close enough.

[Gripsafety]

It will keep you OK (above 60+°F), even in single digit temperatures, and you can have "toasty warm" in the room in which the heater is located. I used one for several years as primary heat in a poorly insulated 1000 SF house in the SC piedmont, where the winter temps could be similar to those here for a few days. Kero stores OK, and I would keep a spare wick handy.

[imashooter2]

There is zero downside. It will keep the pipes and people from freezing at the very least.

[ehidle]

Kerosene heat works great, as long as you keep your heater maintained. Definitely also have a CO sensor if it's an indoor heater.

Personally I use propane for emergency heat. I have a Mr. Heater 18K, which is sufficient for my climate (south east)... probably need a bit more for the frozen PA tundra hehe

Propane is nice because it keeps indefinitely in the tank.. no problems with algae or gelling or anything like that...

[JaySmith]

I have a kerosene bullet heater that heats my 1000sq ft shop from 20f to 60f in about 45 minutes. Burns about a gallon an hour. But I'm pretty sure all open flame heaters need ventilation or co2 will kill you.

[Emptymag]

Bump for the upcoming frigid temps!

Gonna pull mine out of the storage box and make sure it still works!

[JaySmith]

You can find wood stoves for not to much, and wood's under $200 a cord. A cord is 4x4x8 of wood.

How's your wood looking?

[Dlish]

Drove past a Sheetz and kerosene was 7.99 a gallon.
Cheaper than the canned shit at Homedepot, but thats outrageous

[Walleye Hunter]

You can find wood stoves for not to much, and wood's under $200 a cord. A cord is 4x4x8 of wood.

How's your wood looking?

I thought a cord was 4x8x4 and more costly than $200/ea?

I got a portable propane heater that holds a #20lb tank. I'm thinking it's 30,000 BTUs and it's on wheels for easy maneuvering. I don't need to 'splain the benefits of the #20 propane tank over K1.