"Emergency heat" from oil-filled space heaters - advice please

[RSKY]

There are several heaters made to leave in boats that turn on about 35 degrees and off at 40. They are made to be used in bilges that can contain dangerous fumes. Supposed to be fire proof by design. BUT, they are expensive.

Check out www.westmarine.com and search heaters.

What we always used in a well house was a 100-watt light bulb plugged into a temperature sensing plug. Worked well below zero.

RSKY

 

[riptides]

..... However I don't think I'd want to leave them unattended for extended periods of time.

I had a space heater catch fire in my house.

No way would I leave anything of these type heaters plugged in, in a non-occupied house.

 

[LouNY]

I hear all the concern about space heaters being used in an non-occupied house.
Brings me to the question if one of these catches the house on fire unless one is sitting there watching it with a fire extinguisher in hand what difference will it make other then the danger and difficulty of getting people safely out of the home.

In an unoccupied home with it placed in the center of a room with no animals or kids or seniors to knock it over or knock something flammable into it, it will be less dangerous then in an occupied home.

As far as the oil filled ones if concerned about a leak set them in a steel pan or tray as a catch basin.

The simple dial adjust ones will cycle themselves on and off to maintain a room temperature or just use a freeze thermostat to turn them on/off.
such as this or the cheaper ones from Amazon;

We have used the "milk house" electric heaters for many years in milk house to prevent freezing.
They are used all night long "unattended" do we worry at times? Yes, but I'm not going to sleep out there in the winter!!!

 

[newbury]

They also last longer. I have one I've used to heat a small building for 15 years or longer. I have it plugged into a space heater thermostat and it maintains a steady 50 degrees when I'm not around to feed the wood stove.

That's about what I'm looking for, but even lower temps.
Again, what brand model?
For my application I'm not looking for 50°F, 40°F would be fine, if I can set it that low. What space heater thermostat do you use in case the ones I want can't control down to 40°F?

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Based on personal experience with my grandparents unoccupied home near my parents home on the farm I can say we tried all sorts of things.
Bottom line as many have said here either winterize the house...drain all water, blowing out lines or install a furnace. To keep pipes from freezing you'd have to have space heaters all over. If something were to happen I doubt any insurance company would pay.
My grandparents home without heat was devastating, wallpaper peeling, mold, etc.
Number 1 is a good leak proof roof.
Number 2 is keeping it at least 50°F.
My Dad (rip) decided to winterize, drained everything turning heat off. Within a year house really went downhill.
My 2c.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^
In areas of frost it's also hard on foundations.

 

[2manyrocks]

That's about what I'm looking for, but even lower temps.
Again, what brand model?
For my application I'm not looking for 50°F, 40°F would be fine, if I can set it that low. What space heater thermostat do you use in case the ones I want can't control down to 40°F?

May I ask what is your preference for wanting a space heater instead of temporiarly winterizing the pipes until the furnace can be repaired or replaced? Every space heater user manual I've seen says not to use them as anything but supplemental heaters

 

[JethroB]

I had a similar issue with a remote cabin. For extended periods I shut off the water and drained the lines. For shorter uninhabited periods I installed a PTAC unit (hotel type heat pump). It automatically comes on at 40 degrees even if left turned off. Another alternative I considered was a window type A/C unit with heat pump, which is similar to the large PTAC but doesn’t require cutting a big hole in the wall. Not cheap but somewhat efficient. And safe. I also leave all cabinets doors open that contain plumbing.

https://www.sylvane.com/window-air-conditioner-heater.html

 

[newbury]

May I ask what is your preference for wanting a space heater instead of temporiarly winterizing the pipes until the furnace can be repaired or replaced? Every space heater user manual I've seen says not to use them as anything but supplemental heaters

Preference is because that's what my son and my BIL recommended. Plus I have a large room (~13x20) upstairs that could sometimes use a little extra heat, it's presently my wife's craftroom.
I read the manual and could not find anything about only using for supplemental heat.
I did find a section

This appliance is not intended for use in bathrooms, laundry areas, or similar indoor locations.

And warnings about flammables, etc.

 

[ponytug]

That's about what I'm looking for, but even lower temps.
Again, what brand model?
For my application I'm not looking for 50°F, 40°F would be fine, if I can set it that low. What space heater thermostat do you use in case the ones I want can't control down to 40°F?

I am all for winterizing over heating, but if you heat, remember that pipes behind walls and under floors will get colder than the rooms. I suspect that so enticing set for 40F may not keep pipes at a distance above freezing.

Those milk house controls are great for items that are exposed in the milk house, which are also usually made of non-flammable materials like concrete...

Net, net, I think that you are going to spend more than a fair bit of money on enough heaters now, and enough may not be obvious until afterwards.

Whatever you do, please shut off and drain the pipes as much as possible, including toilet tanks. Cheap, cheap insurance.

All the best,

Peter

 

[2manyrocks]

I didn't find the warning in that manual, either. It (#17 warning) does say not to have any other appliance plugged into the same circuit and also says not to plug it into worn receptacles that could cause a fire (#18 and #20).

As far as space heaters go, I have a Delonghi oil filled heater and prefer it over the ones that have fans because it is essentially noiseless, maintains a steady temperature, and gives off quite a bit of heat. As a supplemental heater, I'd rather have it than any other electric space heater I've tried, and I suspect your wife would like it provided your wiring and outlets are up to it.

As far as leaving it on unattended for a long period, personally I don't leave mine on overnight.

I agree with ponytug's recommendations to drain your lines and not take the risk. If the electric power goes off, your lines could freeze regardless of whether the heater is otherwise safe or not.

 

[Dftodd]

I was referring to DFtodd's post.

It's a Kenwood. I couldn't find a model number on it. I've had it for probably 10 years

 

[RSKY]

During the "Ice storm of 2009" here in Kentucky we took a spare 2kw generator to my father in laws house to run two of the oil filled heaters to keep pipes from freezing. The little generator would not power both of them at the same time unless they were both on the lowest setting possible. Then we would leave and come back in the morning to refuel and the gen would be kicked out. My point is that those things use a lot of electricity and too many of them put a strain on your wiring.

RSKY

 

[ning]

During the "Ice storm of 2009" here in Kentucky we took a spare 2kw generator to my father in laws house to run two of the oil filled heaters to keep pipes from freezing. The little generator would not power both of them at the same time unless they were both on the lowest setting possible. Then we would leave and come back in the morning to refuel and the gen would be kicked out. My point is that those things use a lot of electricity and too many of them put a strain on your wiring.

RSKY

No surprise that two 1500W heaters won't run on a 2kW generator: 1500 + 1500 = 3000 = 3kW > 2kW.

Similarly, I was not surprised when my 3kW generator would pop its circuit when my well pump came on at the same time as powering two refrigerators and a freezer. Inconvenient, but no surprise at all, as a 3/4hp pump's starting wattage is right about 3000W - occasionally it would pop just from the pump itself even if I pulled the plug on the coolers. We were running the generator because we'd had to evacuate from a wild fire; good thing was that I didn't need the well most of the time, just left the little gen running the coolers part of the day.

Running a 1500W heater, or anything else pulling 1500W, continuously, is precisely what a 15A circuit is spec'd out to do (actually, they're spec'd to run 15A continuously, and your 1500W heater is likely only pulling 12-13A) and running one of them on the circuit won't "put a strain" on your wiring. Running two on one circuit? That would strain it, but there should be a 15A or 20A breaker on that which would pop if any threat of "strain" occurred.

 

[RSKY]

No surprise that two 1500W heaters won't run on a 2kW generator: 1500 + 1500 = 3000 = 3kW > 2kW.

I finally figured that out, LOL. Even with both on about the lowest setting the breaker would pop. Been years ago but I think we moved the 4k over there and used the 2k on our utility room freezer and fridge. At one time we had eight extra people staying with us and three generators going. None of the generators were over 4k. Interesting month!!

The extra people were with us because we had gas logs in a fireplace and a small cast iron stove. Wife actually scrambled eggs in a skillet on that stove.

RSKY

 

[ponytug]

I finally figured that out, LOL. Even with both on about the lowest setting the breaker would pop. Been years ago but I think we moved the 4k over there and used the 2k on our utility room freezer and fridge. At one time we had eight extra people staying with us and three generators going. None of the generators were over 4k. Interesting month!!

The extra people were with us because we had gas logs in a fireplace and a small cast iron stove. Wife actually scrambled eggs in a skillet on that stove.

RSKY

Redundancy is a great thing sometimes! I hope everyone appreciated your foresight and preparedness.

All the best,

Peter

 

[RSKY]

Redundancy is a great thing sometimes! I hope everyone appreciated your foresight and preparedness.

All the best,

Peter

Neither set of logs were actually planned for emergency heat. Both were installed because SWMBO thought they would look good. Worked out for the best BUT my widower father-in-law had to be persuaded to go back home after the power came back on. Heck, he was getting his meals fixed, laundry done, and all he had to do was sit and watch TV all day. Wife finally told her dad that his snoring was keeping us up at night.

 

[CalG]

How much time does it take to obtain sensible heat from one of these oil filled space heaters?

I'm thinking to warm up a bath/shower room for the time it is in use. I hate planing ahead, and I take short and efficient showers. That is why I have a hot water storage tank....;-)

 

[jyoutz]

How much time does it take to obtain sensible heat from one of these oil filled space heaters?

I'm thinking to warm up a bath/shower room for the time it is in use. I hate planing ahead, and I take short and efficient showers. That is why I have a hot water storage tank....;-)

Oil heaters aren’t good for quick warming up a room. They are intended for slow and steady continuous heating.

 

[CalG]

Oil heaters aren’t good for quick warming up a room. They are intended for slow and steady continuous heating.

Thank you mister obvious! ;-)