Why I Can Not Live Without a Dyna-Glo Kerosene Convection Heater
Having been brought up in a household that was frugal by necessity, my mind often turns to thoughts of survival in worst case scenarios and what-if situations. Having watched the next day’s weather forecast on the morning news I had a gut feeling that the ice storm was going to be a problem. The heating system in our home is entirely dependent on the flow of electricity from my power company. Instantly I began thinking of not only alternative heat sources, but affordable, and easy to acquire heat sources. The most practical solution to my potential dilemma seemed to be some sort of kerosene heater.
I began making calls and found what I thought would be a back up solution for just over a hundred dollars at my local Tractor Supply Store. In stock was a Dyna-Glow Portable Convection Kerosene Heater, labeled indoor safe, and claiming to heat up to a thousand square feet of living space for twelve hours on 1.9 gallons of kerosene fuel. The model I selected was RMC-95-C2 with a BTU output of 23,000. This unit required no electricity and has an easy to use automatic ignition system, and a One-Touch safety switch which shuts the Heater off if it is knocked over. A siphon pump and batteries for the starter ignition were included. The total weight of the unit was thirty pounds which was a workable weight for a relatively small adult female. Next I found a blue five gallon plastic kerosene fuel container and checked out. On the way home I filled the fuel jug up to its capacity.
The next day the storm started moving in. Ice storms in Indiana are really not that unusual, but this one would prove to be a challenge putting over ten thousand people over the county out of power for an extended period of time. I found myself closing off unneeded rooms, opening up cupboards and doors where there was plumbing, and lighting up the Dyna-Glo heater.
My first night with the Dyna-Glo was rough. The unit ran smoothly and kept the core temperature of the house to about seventy degrees, which was very good since the temperatures outdoors soon dipped below freezing. My natural survivor instinct kept ringing a buzzer in my brain that warned CARBON MONOXIDE all night long. Of course I’m here writing this piece so the unit did operate safely as promised. However, I would strongly encourage anyone using a space heater of this type to install a carbon monoxide detector that operates on a battery for the assured safety of your family. I finally resolved my situation by cracking open a window, which did lower the overall temperature in the house to about sixty degrees, and then on down to fifty-eight degrees as the mercury continued to fall to almost zero temperatures.
We found that the heater required a little more fuel than the estimation by the manufacturer. One fill up of the heater’s tank heated our space for about ten hours vs. twelve hours. The unit did not put out any fumes except when we extinguished the flame to refill the unit. These fumes quickly dissipated. We were without power and telephone for about five days. We lost almost everything in our refrigerator and freezer after the second day. The important thing was we were able to stay in our home, and the pipes did not freeze even when the temperatures dropped to an extraordinary low.
I would recommend the Dyna-Glo heater to anyone needing a backup source of heat, for a little vacation cabin, or as an additional source of heat in any large living space. The heaters are not recommended and are not safe for tiny areas, bedrooms (think carbon monoxide), RV’s or horse trailer living quarters. They are safe for large rooms, and well ventilated areas, and can cozy up an enclosed porch that is not air tight.
My Dyna-Glo heater proved to literally be a lifesaver for my husband and I during and following the ice storm. He was able to go to work and not worry about frozen pipes; I stayed home and kept the heater running so we would not lose core temperature in the house. Our experience with the Dyna-Glo was favorable and I’d recommend it to anyone to have on hand for a back-up emergency heat source.
