In general, propane garage heaters burn cleaner and emit less carbon monoxide than kerosene garage heaters. The garage would still need to be ventilated, but not as much as with a kerosene heater. Even said, a robust ventilation system can help lessen the risk of a kerosene model.
Propane, on the other hand, is more combustible than kerosene, and because it’s in a gaseous state, it may quickly fill your garage if there’s a leak, posing a severe fire risk.
However, both are harmful, so make sure you take the proper measures each time you use one.
Do you want to entirely eliminate the danger? Instead, go for an electric garage warmer.
Is it more efficient to use a kerosene or propane heater?
When it comes to choosing between propane and kerosene heaters, fuel efficiency is crucial. So, in response to the question above, a propane heater is more efficient than a kerosene heater.
It’s because, unlike a kerosene heater, a propane heater doesn’t produce smoke. A gas heater, on the other hand, can quickly warm your garage or living room and provides more heaters per square foot of space.
Kerosene heaters, on the other hand, provide more BTUs per gallon than propane heaters. It indicates that a kerosene heater uses less fuel and is more cost-effective.
Are kerosene heaters OK for use in garages?
When the winter season approaches, kerosene heaters are a helpful and dependable heating choice for your garage. They are not only effective at heating vast places, but they can also be used to deliver heat to a single room, helping you to keep your power bill low.
Propane or kerosene: which is better?
With the Mi-T-M kerosene forced air heater, which is a more powerful fuel source, you receive more heat for your money. The heat produced by a kerosene heater is measured in British thermal units (BTUs) and begins at around 75,000 BTUs per gallon. BTUs start at 18,000 BTUs per gallon with Mi-T-M Propane heaters. As a result, kerosene will keep you warm when you’re out beneath the sky.
Mi-T-M Heaters come in a variety of forms and sizes, and most just have one or two settings, so you’ll need to figure out which size is suitable for you. Hundreds of portable heating solutions are available from Mi-T-M.
Another factor to consider is the price of each type of fuel. Let’s look at one state at a time and compare apples to apples. According to the New York State Energy and Development Authority, kerosene costs roughly $4.20 per gallon in the state, while propane costs around $3.10 per gallon.
Kerosene is flammable, has a strong flame, and produces a lot of heat. However, propane is the cleaner-burning of the two fuels, and it’s usually easier to locate and purchase.
After that, think about how long each sort of heater will keep you warm. A propane type powered by a 20-pound propane cylinder will run for 65 hours on low and 24 hours on high when set to low.
Is heating with propane or kerosene less expensive?
There isn’t much of a pricing difference between kerosene and propane heaters. However, there could be a significant price differential in terms of fuel.
Gasoline costs might add up quickly if you store big amounts of fuel or use your heater frequently.
You’ll want to go with the heater that uses less fuel. The cost of running a kerosene heater is usually less than that of a propane heater.
Kerosene vs. Propane Prices Per Gallon
On a gallon-for-gallon basis, propane is virtually always less expensive than kerosene.
The pricing for a gallon of propane or kerosene in 2021 are listed below.
It’s worth noting that kerosene prices at a pump are significantly lower.
If you buy 1-K kerosene at a hardware shop, it can cost more than $10 per gallon.
Large propane cylinders are also substantially less expensive per gallon than small canisters.
Cost per BTU of Energy
While propane may appear to be less expensive than kerosene, you must consider the cost per unit of energy.
A gallon of kerosene has around 135,000 BTUs of potential energy, whereas a gallon of propane has approximately 91,333 BTUs.
When you compare the cost per BTU, kerosene is substantially less expensive than propane.
Other Fuel-Related Costs
Many more factors can influence the cost of kerosene vs. propane heating. Consider the following scenario:
- Fuel deterioration: Kerosene will deteriorate with time and burn inefficiently. Propane, on the other hand, never goes bad. When you consider the expense of kerosene, you may find that propane is less expensive.
- Additives: You may want to add additives to your kerosene for long-term storage. These are not included in the price. Propane does not require any additional additives.
- Propane cylinders and underground storage tanks are both costly. Kerosene canisters and drums are frequently less expensive.
- Accessibility: Kerosene is only affordable if purchased at a pump. If you have to travel a long distance to get it, the expenditures will mount up. Propane, on the other hand, is usually easy to come by, and delivery service prices aren’t prohibitively expensive in many regions.
In a kerosene heater, how long would 5 gallons of kerosene last?
If you reside in the northeast, you’re probably aware that heating oil is one of the most frequent forms of home heating.
In many households, heating oil is used not just for heat but also for hot water. Heating oil, unlike natural gas or electricity, must be delivered to a tank at the house on a regular basis.
One of the advantages of home heating oil is that if you run out, you can always go to your local gas station and buy 5 or 10 gallons of diesel to keep the heat on until you can get a delivery. If this is your first time in this situation, simply pour some diesel fuel into the fill pipe outside the home, restart the burner, and you should be OK! “How long will 5 gallons of heating oil last?” is a question that many people have.
The answer is dependent on a number of circumstances, but on a typical winter day, 5 gallons should last up to a day in an average-sized home. Your house may go through 10 or more gallons of home heating oil on a really chilly day, so make sure you don’t run out. Consider the following factors when determining how long 5 gallons of heating oil will last in your home:
Is it safe to use a gas heater in the garage?
Home automotive garages might be the coldest area in your house due to concrete floors, little to no insulation, and drafty doors. On frigid days, keeping your garage warm might be difficult. Because few households have their garages connected to their home heating systems for safety reasons, using a space heater to work on your car or other project while it’s chilly makes the most sense. Propane heat is a cost-effective and safe way to heat your garage without breaking the bank. A shop heater with a rating of 45,000 to 75,000 BTUs per hour can be used in a small garage of 1,000 square feet or less. Larger garages will require a forced-air propane system with a BTU output of 60,000 BTUs per hour or more.
Use only listed heaters
Only purchase and use heaters that have been tested and listed in conformity with Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) Standard 647. This information should be displayed on the heater’s nameplate.
Use the correct fuel
Only 1-K kerosene should be used in these heaters, according to the National Kerosene Heater Association, the American Petroleum Institute, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and others. There are two types of kerosene fuels, according to American Society of Testing and Materials Standard D-3699, “Standard specifications for kerosene.” The main distinction is the sulfur concentration. Type 1-K has a sulfur content of 0.04 percent by weight, while Type 2-K has a sulfur content of 0.30 percent by weight. Because 2-K gasoline has a higher sulfur concentration, it has a harder time wicking and emits more sulfur dioxide. The use of 2-K kerosene necessitates regular wick cleaning and maintenance, which, if not done correctly, might result in a fire or explosion hazard.
It is impossible to tell the difference between 1-K and 2-K kerosene fuels by looking at them. The sort of kerosene that can be used in an unvented heater is commonly referred to as “water clear” or “clear white.” In most circumstances, water clear or clear white kerosene is 1-K, however color should not be considered as the primary indicator. The type of crude used to refine kerosene, as well as temperature, aging, and contamination, can all cause kerosene to turn yellow and black. As a result, if the retail dealer does not clearly market the kerosene as 1-K kerosene, you should conclude it is not 1-K kerosene. Look for a dealer who can guarantee you’re getting 1-K grade kerosene.
Furthermore, in your heater, never use diesel, jet “A” fuel, number 1 fuel oil, number 2 fuel oil, or gasoline. Any of these fuels could generate a fire or explosion, which could result in death or injury.
Always store kerosene in a kerosene-specific container, not a gasoline can or a container that has previously held gasoline. This will assist you avoid accidentally using contaminated or incorrect fuel. Blue is the authorized color for kerosene canisters, red for gasoline, yellow for diesel, and green for oils, according to fuel container color code regulations.
Proper clearances from combustible material
Unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise, the heater should be maintained at least 36 inches away from any combustible objects such as drapes or furniture. The manufacturer will specify on the name plate if less than 36 inches is allowed. Avoid using flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, or lacquers in close proximity to the heater. Do not use the heater in a room that contains other flammable liquids, such as gasoline. Do not work in a dusty environment. Some units’ surfaces can reach temperatures of over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, igniting flammable liquids, combustible liquids, flammable gases, or grain dusts and causing a fire or explosion.
Provide required maintenance and upkeep
To ensure the heater’s proper operation, see your operator’s manual for instructions or required maintenance and upkeep. Clearing the unit, cutting the wick, cleaning out soot and carbon, examining for fuel leaks, and other manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures should all be performed on a regular basis. If you think the heater isn’t working properly, turn it off right away and let it cool. Then, either do the required maintenance or take it to a qualified service shop for repair.
Don’t take a chance
A malfunctioning heater can cause a fire or produce an excessive amount of combustion byproducts such as soot, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.
Provide adequate ventilation
The kerosene heater must have adequate airflow to operate safely. Burning kerosene releases carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other gases in addition to oxygen. To avoid asphyxiation or respiratory difficulties, ventilation must be supplied to refill oxygen as well as remove gases. To provide appropriate oxygen for combustion, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations; in many cases, this will necessitate opening a window or a door leading to another room. If the manufacturer’s literature doesn’t specify, one rule of thumb is to allow 1 square inch of window opening for every 1,000 Btus of heater rating. For example, a 10,000 Btu heater may necessitate opening a 10 square inch exterior window to give the required air intake. Additional air intake may be required in an energy-efficient home.
Use only as supplemental heat
Except in an emergency, the heater should never be utilized as the sole source of heat. It’s best not to use it when you’re sleeping because a heating malfunction could result in asphyxiation. A heater should never be left alone.
Keep the heater out of the traffic flow
Place it in regions where there’s a low likelihood of someone stumbling over it. The burner “must not continue to burn more than 30 seconds” in the tipped over position, according to UL Standard 647. As a result of the heater tipping over, “kerosene discharged from the reservoir or the burner shall not be lit,” according to the standard. Despite the fact that equipment must pass a rigorous test before being “listed” by nationally renowned testing organizations like UL, the equipment may fail or malfunction. As a result, take precautions to avoid heating tip-overs.
Allow heater to cool before refueling
Before refueling, the heater should be allowed to cool for at least 15 minutes. Many of the heaters have a surface temperature of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Kerosene has a flash point of roughly 110 degrees Fahrenheit and an ignition temperature of 410 degrees Fahrenheit (lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to produce an ignitable combination). If kerosene is spilled over a hot heater, it may ignite, resulting in a fire.
Refuel heater and store kerosene outdoors
Always refuel the cool heater outside, away from other ignition sources, in a well-ventilated area. Refueling should also take place in a location where tiny spills may be promptly cleaned up. Fuel should be kept outside in a blue safety container that has been authorized. The word “kerosene” should be prominently displayed on the safety container. Kerosene should never be stored in a red container that could be mistaken for gasoline.
Never overfill heater
Allow enough space for fuel expansion while replenishing the heater. Refuel according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which can be found in the owner’s manual or on the nameplate.
Prevent burns
Warn children about the dangers of the portable kerosene heater’s scorching surface temperature. Keep in mind that the surface temperature of some heaters can reach 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Develop a pre-fire plan
A pre-fire plan should be developed and practiced by every family. In your strategy, you’ll:
- Install a smoke detector system and keep it up to date. Every level of the property, including basements, should have at least one smoke alarm, as well as one in each bedroom and outside each sleeping area, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Larger homes may require additional detectors. The National Fire Protection Association Standard number 74, Standard for domestic fire warning equipment, recommends using an interconnected smoke alarm system.
- Install a fire extinguisher and keep it in good working order. Install a multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguisher in a conspicuous and easy-to-reach area.
- Prepare an evacuation strategy. To ensure a safe exit from the building in the case of a fire, all inhabitants should prepare and rehearse an evacuation plan. Remember that the strategy is only effective if everyone is aware of it and has practiced it.
Can you store kerosene indoors?
Kerosene should not be kept in your home. It produces fumes that can cause brain damage, kidney troubles, dizziness, nausea, and other disorders.
Kerosene containers should be kept outside in a shed.
If you have to store it in your garage, make sure it has enough ventilation.
Is it better to use propane or kerosene indoors?
You should have a proper ventilation system for any heater you choose for your garage. Both propane and kerosene heaters create carbon monoxide in varying amounts, which can be fatal if inhaled and must be vented out.
Propane is an odorless, extremely flammable gas that should be handled with extreme caution. If a gas leak occurs, however, the gas will only burn if there is oxygen in the surrounding air.
Propane is also cleaner than kerosene, as it does not produce a strong odor or many of the toxic gases that kerosene heaters do.
In terms of flammability, kerosene is less hazardous for interior usage than propane because a fire must first come into contact with the liquid. You will be able to smell and see liquid deterioration if it occurs, which is a significant benefit for kerosene heaters.
Even so, there is a risk of an unintentional fire as well as the poisonous gases that kerosene emits when it burns.
In a kerosene heater, how long will a gallon of kerosene last?
In response to your original question, kerosene has an energy level of roughly 135,000 btu/gal, which means you’ll receive around 4 hours per gallon.