: hello Mike,

: I read the other responses you got.

: I respect all those who responded & are using open flame heaters.
: most of the responders are using their open flame heaters in VENTILATED
: areas: garages, barns, VENTILATED basements, etc' .

: I'm not sure if it's applicable in your case. maybe it is, or maybe not,
: you didn't mention if your basement is ventilated thru a window or some
: opening that is low enough in the basement.

: I wonder what's the statistics on deaths related to such cases.
: after all, we only have living builders on this board (simply because Nick
: refuses all the dead builders 8-P )

: all the responders mentioned their awareness to the problem, so you be aware
: too.

Erez,

There are millions of kerosene space heaters in use in the US. Some states restrict their use to non-living spaces, but most don't. If you're interested in details on them, got to www.monitorproducts.com for detailed explanations of how they work.

I've used them extensively in the living spaces of homes closed up tight for the winter and there is no problem at all. They are very clean burning, extremely thermally efficient (90+%) and consume much less oxygen than a typical fireplace or wood stove, for a given heat output. I currently heat my home with a vented kerosene furnace and will connecting a second one in my basement this weekend. It's much cheaper to heat this way than with gas, oil, electricity or even wood, at least here in NH.

I used a kero space heater in my garage last night and this morning while working on one of my boats. It does a great job, plus I can warm my hands or other objects over the chimney if necessary. They really are perfectly safe if used properly. They're also extremely durable. The two heaters I have are ~25 years old and have required virtually no maintenance. I finally replaced the wicks in them last winter, just because it had never been done.

There is one caveat that I've recently discovered. If you use kero space heaters in an area where you're using solvent based glues, paints or varnishes, the heater will burn whatever chemicals are in the air. This can cause an unpleasant odor. For example, last night I ran the heater in the garage for an hour before I started working on the boat. There was no odor when I started working. After installing some minicell padding with contact cement (well away from the heater and well ventilated, of course), I noticed a distinct odor from the solvent fumes burned by the heater when I took my respirator off. I've experienced the same thing in a room with recently glued down wood flooring, even though the glue odor was not particularly noticeable. If you're going to heat an area that you plan to be using solvents in frequently, I would recommend a vented furnace rather than space heaters.