For most people, keeping their homes warm and cozy during cold days and winter can be an ordeal, especially due to the high costs associated with it. Turning up the thermostat for a long time can spike your utility bills. Not to mention that during this time, you also tend to use more electricity through the different devices designed to keep you warm. For instance, electric blankets, electric socks, portable electric heaters, etc.
Due to such high expenses, people look for cheaper ways to keep themselves protected from the cold. And one of the most popular alternatives available today is a kerosene heater. If you are interested in using one or looking to replace your old unit, here’s a list of the best kerosene heaters for indoor use.
Our Top Picks
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Kerosene Heater for Indoor Use
With the many available kerosene heaters around, you should choose only high-quality products that can give you your money’s worth. But how would you know that? To help you, here are some of the key features you should look out for.
1. BTU
Heaters have their BTU rating, which refers to the energy they can produce per hour. Thus, higher BTU means more heat over that period, allowing you to heat a space quicker or heat a larger area. However, if you choose a heater that offers unnecessarily high output, you may end up wasting fuel. Thus, choose a model with a BTU rating that’s not much or too weak, depending on what room you’re planning to use it for.
To know how much BTU you need, measure the square footage of the space you need to heat and multiply it by 10 watts. This follows the idea that every square foot needs 10 watts for heating. So for example, you need to heat a 12-by-20-foot room. This measures 240 square feet and you need to multiply it by 10 watts. Thus, you need 2,400 watts to heat the room.
To calculate the BTU, multiply this by 3.41. Meaning, look for a kerosene heater with a rating of at least 8,184.
2. Max Run Time
You also need to check how long a kerosene heater can run. Generally, the larger the tank, the more fuel it can accommodate, and the longer you can use it for. If a model comes with a thermostat, this can also affect the running time.
3. Safety Features
When it comes to choosing a kerosene heater, safety features should be among the first things to look for. This includes an anti-tip switch and protection for overheating. These features will automatically turn the device off when knocked over or when it is producing too much heat.
The Best Kerosene Heaters for Indoor Use
Our Top Pick: Kero World KW-24G Indoor Kerosene Heater
- 360 degree heating radius
- Push to start ignition
- Accidental tip-over shut-off
- Operates 8-12 hours on one tank of fuel
Our top pick for the best kerosene heater for indoor use is the Kero World KW-24G Indoor Kerosene Heater. It offers a powerful BTU rating of 23,000. Thus, making it suitable for areas up to 700 square feet or more. Some users even note using the product for a fully open space of 900 to 1000 square feet.
With its BTU rating, the Kero World Kerosene Heater can efficiently heat a large living area in just a short time. Furthermore, it has a large tank capacity of 1.9 gallons, and it can provide 8 to 12 hours of heating. Thus, making it very cost-efficient. There’s also a protective grill that surrounds the hot surfaces of the product, and it has automatic shut-off and tip-over features too.
Additionally, this heater is more affordable than other heaters with the same power. So overall, this kerosene heater offers great value for its price.
Pros
- Powerful BTU
- Long run time
- Protective grill
- Can project heat in a 360-degree radius
Cons
- Can consume a lot of fuel
- The handle isn’t the best quality
Best for Small Spaces: Sengoku KeroHeat 10,000 BTU Indoor/Outdoor Heater
- Automatic igniter, ez flame adjuster
- Safety features include: automatic shut-off switch, tip over switch and safety protected guard
- Siphon pump and four c batteries included
- 1.2-Gallon fuel capacity, heats up to 14-hour
If you are looking for a kerosene heater for a small area in your home, the Sengoku KeroHeat is your best option. It has an estimated heated area of 380 square feet with a BTU rating of 10,000. It also has a decent fuel capacity of 1.2 gallons and can last up to 14 hours on a low setting.
The Sengoku KeroHeat features an automatic shut-off switch, a safety-protected guard, and a tip-over switch. The product also includes a siphon pump to help you transfer kerosene faster, safer, and more conveniently without dealing with any mess.
Pros
- Includes a siphon pump
- Long run time
- Fuel gauge
- Affordable
Cons
- Not ideal for large areas
Best for Larger Spaces: Dyna-Glo KFA50DGD 50,000 BTU Kerosene Forced Air Heater
- 50,000 BTU
- Heats up to 1,200 sq.ft.
- Easy Lift Carrying Handle
- Sturdy, Rugged Construction
With a 50,000 BTU rating, the Dyna-Glo KFA50DGD is the most powerful kerosene heater on our list. If you need to heat a wide and large area, this is one of your best choices. It can heat up to 1,200 square feet of space in a very short time. You can also use it for 14 hours, helping you stay warm and cozy in even the harshest conditions.
This kerosene heater is easy to carry and transport due to its well-made handle and built-in cord wrap. It also comes with the most essential heater safety features, such as auto fuel shut-off and auto overheat shut-off. However, it is a bit on the expensive side, and it is not recommended for smaller areas.
Pros
- Very powerful heating output
- Wide coverage area
- Large fuel capacity
- Long run time
- Auto fuel shut-off and overheat protection
Cons
- Quite pricey
Best Kerosene Heater for a Garage
If you are looking into using a kerosene heater for your garage, the Kero World KW-24G Indoor Kerosene Heater and Dyna-Glo KFA50DGD 50,000 BTU Kerosene Forced Air Heater are great options. They have good BTU ratings, making them efficient in heating your garage quicker.
However, if you have a bigger and uninsulated garage that accommodates 2 to 3 cars, you might want to check out more powerful heaters. For instance, the Dyna-Glo Delux KFA80DGD model is a better choice since it comes with an 80,000 BTU and can cover 1,900 square feet. With it, you can heat your garage in no time.
Safety Precautions: What You Need to Know About Using Kerosene Heaters
If you are going to use a kerosene heater to heat your home, you need to be aware of its hazards as well as a few important information, including the following:
- Illegal in some states: Before buying a kerosene heater for indoors, make sure to check the laws and restrictions in your area. For instance, kerosene heaters are prohibited in the state of Massachusetts.
- Fire or explosion hazard: Using the heater close to furniture, curtains, and other combustibles can cause a fire or explosion. There are also instances when a lighted heater can be tipped over and cause a fire. You can also ignite the fuel if you are not filling the device properly. Furthermore, an explosion can happen if you use the wrong fuel or if you use the heater in a place with combustibles fumes.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: A kerosene heater can pose a serious threat to your life and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. To avoid this, make sure to use the device in a properly ventilated area and keep a window or door open. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector as well, and never leave the heater unattended.
- Indoor air pollution: Aside from carbon monoxide, a kerosene heater also emits other pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. These substances can be very harmful. Thus, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the product.