If your floor is entirely carpeted, should you put a space heater on it or should you put it on the bare floor?
Numerous online resources advise against placing a space heater on carpet. A quick search already revealed quotes such as the following.
Quick response: You may place a space heater on carpeting. It is extremely unlikely that the carpet will build up enough heat to ignite because heat rises to the top. Carpets require much higher temperatures than what space heaters can produce. The main safety threat of space heaters is unresponsible usage. Running a space heater on carpet is not problematic as long as you are in the same room.
You might be wondering why I recommend placing a space heater on carpet when nearly everyone else does the opposite.
I’ll explain why using a space heater on carpet is not a concern in the sections that follow, as well as what you can do to stay safe at all times.
Remember that you can lessen the fire, serious burn, pollution and asphyxiation dangers from kerosene heaters by:
Additionally, it’s crucial to have a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector nearby.
If you have a portable kerosene heater, you’ll need to visit a fuel supplier frequently unless you’re on a delivery route.
Up to 14 gallons of fuel are required by one large convective heater to run for 15 hours per day each week, which equates to the use of three five-gallon kerosene containers. Be sure the containers are clearly marked “Kerosene. “.
Mixing kerosene and gasoline, or their containers, is dangerous. Never substitute a gasoline can for a kerosene container.
You’ll require a location to store the kerosene cans and refuel the heater once you return home with the containers.
In both cases, a garage is preferable to the house. If there isn’t a garage, other options include a distant basement location from the heating system or an outdoor storage shed.
Never smoke while refueling a hot kerosene heater because it’s like playing with dynamite and resist the urge to do so.
Adhere to the siphon pump’s instructions and only fill the tank to about 90% of its capacity. Kerosene expands as it warms to room temperature in a heater tank and could overflow if there isn’t enough space. Bring the heater back to the location where it will be switched on. At least one window should be slightly open. Light the heater as directed by the manufacturer.
These dangers include:
Fire or explosion. Operating the heater too close to furniture, draperies, or other combustibles, tipping over a lit heater, or accidentally igniting fuel when filling the tank could all result in a fire. Using the incorrect fuel or operating the heater in an area with combustible fumes could result in explosions.
Burns. Direct contact with a heater or the igniting of combustible clothing could result in burns. Keep everyone, but especially children, a safe distance away from heaters that are in use. Even pets could be injured.
Asphyxiation. Kerosene heaters consume oxygen as they burn. The air’s oxygen content could become dangerously low if they are used in a small space or an area with poor ventilation. Reduced oxygen availability could cause incomplete fuel combustion and the release of carbon monoxide. A colorless, odorless gas called carbon monoxide can kill a person instantly if breathed in at high enough concentrations or for long enough.
Indoor air pollution. Kerosene heaters can release pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide in addition to carbon monoxide. Breathing these substances can be dangerous, especially for those who are pregnant, have asthma, cardiovascular disease, are elderly, have young children, or are asthmatic.
By carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions for using kerosene heaters and by taking other common sense safety precautions, these risks can be reduced or avoided.
Additionally, you need to be aware that kerosene heaters are still prohibited in some places. Check with your local fire department or fire marshal to see if there are any usage limitations in your area before you purchase one.
Convective and radiant portable kerosene heaters are the two varieties.
The convective heater usually is circular in shape. Below the wick and combustion chamber is its fuel tank. The wick absorbs and delivers fuel to the combustion chamber.
Warm air is circulated by convective heaters in all directions, moving upward. They are never intended for small, enclosed spaces like bedrooms; instead, they are made for large areas or even multiple rooms. When the temperature stays above freezing, some owners claim that one or two of these units can adequately heat an entire house.
Because they lack a detachable fuel tank, convective heaters must be moved in order to be refueled. Generally, refueling is done with a siphon pump. Be sure a convective heater has a fuel gauge.
Radiant heaters, which are typically rectangular in shape, are intended for use in smaller spaces. They have a reflector that directs heat toward people or objects in addition to having a wick, combustion chamber, and other features. Electric fans are included in some radiant heaters to increase the flow of warm air.
Many radiant models, but not all, have a detachable fuel tank, allowing the heater to be left in place. To get to where the fuel is stored, only the fuel tank needs to be transported.
Similar to a convective model, a radiant heater without a detachable fuel tank requires movement for each refueling.
A reputable certification, such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label, should be present on your heater. The heater’s performance during testing and compliance with acceptable fire safety standards are indicated by the UL label.
Make sure your heater also has a battery-operated lighting source so you can avoid using matches.
Heaters need to have a safety shutoff mechanism that will put out the flame if the appliance is jostled or tipped over.
When operating normally, a well-designed kerosene heater doesn’t produce any smoke or odor. However, when you enter the house, you might detect a slight kerosene smell.
Kerosene heaters also have a potent odor for a few minutes after they are turned on or off and after they run out of fuel. Consequently, it’s wise to regularly check the fuel gauge.
However, the real risk is that improper use of kerosene heaters could cause carbon monoxide to replace room oxygen and result in asphyxiation death.
When using a kerosene heater, it is crucial to have sufficient ventilation to other rooms and a source of fresh, outdoor air, such as a window or door open by at least one inch.
Additional justification for the requirement of sufficient ventilation and outside air is the emission of other significant pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and sulphur dioxide.
Particularly when heaters intended to heat large spaces are used in small spaces, kerosene heaters could be particularly dangerous in bedrooms.
Fire protection engineer: “You need to keep an eye on a kerosene heater and if you’re sleeping, you’re not going to be able to do that.”
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal government agency, has advised manufacturers to increase their voluntary safety standards and continue educating the public about how to use kerosene heaters safely.
If you buy a portable kerosene heater, you’ll need to budget time for fuel purchases, refueling, and maintenance.
In the heating season, you must check the wick every week or two. If its dirty, clean it according to the manufacturers instructions.
Additionally, it’s crucial to regularly remove dust and dirt as well as to immediately wipe up any kerosene spills because they pose a fire risk.
Kerosene heaters require 1-K grade kerosene. Burning colored or cloudy kerosene will produce smoke, odors, and higher levels of indoor pollution due to the fuel’s higher sulphur content, which dramatically increases sulphur dioxide emissions. Additionally, kerosene that isn’t grade 1-K can clog the wick. Never substitute anything, including gasoline or camp stove fuel. Such fuels might ignite or explode in a kerosene heater.
Place kerosene heaters several feet away from all furniture, curtains, papers, clothes, bedding, and other combustible materials to reduce the risk of fire even during normal operation.
Kerosene heaters should not be used in a space with flammable materials such as lacquers, aerosol sprays, gasoline, kerosene containers, or any type of oil because they have a constant open flame.
Pet owners, as well as parents of infants, toddlers, and young children, should be aware that touching any part of a working kerosene heater above the open flame could cause a serious burn.
Because of this, safety cages, which are intended to keep young children and animals at a safe distance, have gained popularity.
Never attempt to move a lighted kerosene heater. Even a carrying handle could cause a burn. Before moving the heater, put out the flame and let it cool.
And never refill a kerosene heater while it’s hot or in a living space. Wait for it to cool.
Fire officials strongly advise turning off kerosene heaters before going to bed. Using your central heating system while your family is sleeping is preferable.
Space heaters have built-in safety mechanisms
It is almost certain that your space heater has built-in overheat protection if you purchased it within the last, say, 15 years.
When a space heater gets too hot, the built-in overheat protection detects it and automatically turns it off.
This prevents another disaster from happening:
The space heater itself, in addition to the carpet, could catch fire. A thick carpet prevents the space heater from venting the heat, which increases the risk of fire.
First off, only the bottom side of the space heater is covered by the carpet. Since hot air rises and no space heater emits heat downward, the bottom side of a space heater is naturally cool.
Additionally, if your space heater becomes too hot, the overheat protection will immediately turn it off.
It is extremely unlikely that your space heater will catch fire from overheating while you are standing on a carpet.
Nothing can go wrong as long as you use a space heater that is reasonably secure. My favorite secure oil-filled radiator is the subject of a review I wrote (click here to see the product).
Also, fires need oxygen to stay alive. Only the top of a carpet is exposed to oxygen, which makes it difficult for the flame to sustain itself. The majority of your carpets are densely knitted and made of heavy material.
It is similar to trying to ignite a flat tabletop to ignite a carpet. Even though it is made of naturally flammable wood, it is extremely difficult to start a fire on it.
All you will end up with is burn stains.
Most carpets behave exactly the same. Try as you might, it’s very difficult to ignite a carpet as long as you don’t put any flammable liquids on them.
Undoubtedly, some carpets are more prone to catching fire than others. But generally speaking, the risk is not as great as you might think.
Just be reasonable with your space heater placement.