Why Does My Kerosene Heater Keep Shutting Off?
If you are using a kerosene heater in your home, you may be wondering why it keeps shutting off. While you may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem, some common factors can help you figure out what might be going wrong. These include burning too hot, wicks or fuel that are too dirty, improper ventilation, and air filters that aren’t clean.
Proper ventilation
When using a kerosene heater you must provide proper ventilation to prevent a fire or toxic fumes from erupting. A proper ventilation system will replace the oxygen that the heater needs for combustion.
You should also leave the door of the room open during the time that the heater is operating. If the room is drafty, you may need to open a window. This will dilute the pollutants produced by the heater.
The most important thing is to follow the manufacturer’s directions when it comes to fuel, venting, and maintenance. In particular, you should never use an unvented space heater indoors.
While this might be a difficult task, there are some simple things you can do to make sure your space heater is safe for use. First of all, never leave it burning overnight.
Dirty air filter
During a heating season, a kerosene heater can sometimes malfunction. It may start emitting a nastier smell or shut off repeatedly. This can be dangerous for those with asthma, pregnant women, and the elderly.
The best solution to this problem is to replace the wick and kerosene. However, if you don’t want to spend money on new kerosene, there are other things you can do.
A dirty air filter can block air from entering your furnace and cause it to overheat. That can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide, which can kill people.
An overheating furnace can also damage your heat exchanger, resulting in a fire. If your heater is experiencing problems with its built-in safety shut-off, take it to a service center.
Burnt-off fuel
If your kerosene heater has stopped burning or has developed a bad odor, you might have a problem with the wick. This is caused by debris and unburnt fuel that sticks to the wick. To remedy this problem, you need to remove the wick and replace it.
If you want to fix your kerosene heater, you need to drain the tank and change the wick. You can do this by opening the body of the heater.
Once you have drained the tank, you need to fill it with fresh kerosene. Never use gasoline for your kerosene heater, as it can burn too hot. Also, you should only store your kerosene heater outside.
Before using a kerosene heater, make sure it has a positive wick-stop mechanism. This is to prevent the wick from being cranked too low.
Burnt-off wick
If your kerosene heater keeps shutting off, it may be time to replace your wick. Changing the wick is a quick and easy job. Before doing so, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
First, ensure that the wick is in good shape. If it is soiled, you may want to brush it off with a toothbrush.
Next, inspect the burner cylinder. The burner may leak. Alternatively, the wick may be too high. In this case, you will need to adjust the wick to reduce the flame.
Finally, check the ignition system. If your kerosene heater uses an igniter, it will likely need to be replaced. You can also try changing the batteries to see if the issue goes away.
Burning too hot
Kerosene heaters can be dangerous, especially for young children. Some people have even died from fires caused by kerosene heaters. This is why it is important to know the warning signs and what to do in case you have a problem.
The first thing to check if your kerosene heater has a problem is fuel. Make sure the kerosene is not cloudy and has the odor of kerosene.
Another thing to look out for is the igniter plug. If the plug does not glow when you push the button, it may need to be replaced. Also, be sure to use non-alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries can burn out the igniter filament.
It is also important to make sure the wick and the burner cylinder are working properly. A faulty wick can be the cause of many problems.
