Can You Use Kerosene in a Boiler?

Boilers

• Boilers are made to heat your home. They're professionally installed and thus safer than space heaters. While they don't have the cozy charm that a fireplace does, a boiler is a long-term solution to a home heating problem. Boilers can work on gas, oil or both.

Kerosene

• Kerosene is one of the most commonly used fuels in home boilers. Some agricultural boilers use red diesel fuel, but in general kerosene will work. You can choose between basic and premium kerosene. Premium costs more but produces less pollution. Never put kerosene in a gas boiler.

Alternatives

• If you're looking to use less energy, consider choosing an Energy Star-approved boiler. It'll use about 6 percent less energy than a non-Energy Star-certified model. If you want to use a fuel other than kerosene, you have plenty of options. You can get boilers that run on gas or boilers that run on both gas and oil.

Safety

• If you're using a kerosene boiler, make sure it's serviced regularly. A boiler isn't like a kerosene heater; it doesn't need to be ventilated the same way. Since it's professionally installed, you don't have to worry about it igniting furniture or other things in a room. The kerosene boiler will be more efficient and less likely to malfunction with regular maintenance checks.