Laser Heaters
Laser heaters use paraffin for fuel, but have a variety of safety features compared to the traditional paraffin heater. They burn their fuel at a higher efficiency, so produce less combustion gases. They usually have features which will extinguish the flame if the heater is tipped over, reducing the fire risk.
Laser Heaters
Laser heaters are a type of paraffin heater, and have a similar design to standard paraffin heaters. They do not have a wick like a traditional paraffin heater, and instead a manual ignition button is used to start the fire. Matches or other means of ignition are not required, unlike in standard paraffin heaters.
When the power switch on a laser heater is pressed, the bottom of the burner is preheated. An electric timer detects when the burner bottom is heated to a suitable temperature. Due to the heater preheating the bottom of the burner, these heaters often take a few minutes to heat up before the kerosene is ignited. Combustion air is sent into the heated burner, at the same time as kerosene is pumped into the combustion chamber. This ignites the kerosene.
Laser heaters burn their fuel at a higher efficiency than traditional paraffin heaters. They produce almost no combustion gases and soot. The temperature inside the heating chamber can reach temperatures up to 1200°C, which means that most waste gases are burnt. This means they are much safer to use, as they are less likely to produce dangerous carbon monoxide.
Vented Laser Heaters
Vented laser heaters are permanently attached to a wall, with a flue vent going outside. This eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, as all combustion fuels go outside, and are pushed outside with a fan. This means they require an electricity supply. Both unvented and vented laser heaters can also contain fans to circulate the hot air around the room.
Carbon Monoxide
More modern laser heaters will deactivate if there is a low level of oxygen, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Paraffin heaters come with the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, as they release this gas during combustion, which increases in level as oxygen drops.
Japanese Laser Heaters
Laser heaters are popular in Japan, as Japanese homes often do not have central heating. They are usually used only when someone is present in a room, and not used in bedrooms overnight. This can often make houses in Japan colder in the winter than those in Russia, except in the rooms where people are using a paraffin heater.
Laser Heater Safety
Laser heaters come with a variety of safety features. Laser heaters have a device which will put out the flame if it tips over, which decreases the fire risk. They usually come with a grate to prevent accidental burning.
It is recommended that K-1 clear kerosene should be used in laser heaters, especially in unvented heaters. This paraffin is almost odour free in comparison to other kerosene products, and is much safer as it produces less carbon monoxide. K-1 clear kerosene is also low in sulphur dioxide.