Paraffin oil, the fuel used to run paraffin heaters, is commonly referred to as ‘kerosene’. It has a similar heating value to diesel, making it ideal for heating purposes. As it is obtained through the act of petroleum processing (using a technique known as fractional distillation), it can be classed as a non-renewable fossil fuel.
Safety Issues
As with any fossil fuel combustion there are some health and safety issues which should be addressed if you are considering using a paraffin heater in your home or green house. For starters it is an incredibly flammable fuel source so it is advisable to keep it out of reach of children and animals at all times and when in use it should never be left burning unsupervised. Most paraffin heaters do have anti-tipping safety features which will extinguish the wick as soon as the heater is toppled, but it is best to take every precaution.
Health experts recommend that the use of paraffin heaters are only undertaken in extremely well ventilated areas – as a rule, try to keep a window ajar or a door open if it’s being used inside. The combustion process releases gasses such as nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide, so it is best to make sure the emissions have no chance to accumulate. If it is a concern you should have carbon monoxide monitors installed in the room of use.
If you are trying to find a fuel supplier it is recommended to pay a visit to your local hardware store, DIY outlet or gas (or petrol) station. Most fuelling stations have or can order in paraffin oil.