A laser heater is a type of kerosene heater. These heaters use an electronically guided system that burns the kerosene fuel at a high efficiency (almost 100%). These units produce almost no combustion exhaust gas and soot.

Laser heaters are popular in Japan.

These heaters are able to clean themselves and shut off when there are dangerously low levels of oxygen left in the room for the burner to burn, making the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning very low. Temperature can be regulated very precisely.

Mechanics

Modern laser heaters use a button to ignite the fuel. A wick , a feature of old kerosene heaters, is not present. After ignition, the temperature of the burner is raised to assure maximum efficiency of the heater. Temperatures in the heating chamber can reach temperatures up to 1200 degrees celsius.

Efficiency of the laser heater is, therefore, highly optimised by burning any waste gases that would be otherwise released into air.

Safety

Fuel

A purified type of kerosene is used as a fuel, low in sulfur. Other types of kerosene are not suited for any kerosene or laser heater.

In the United States the kind of kerosene is named as: 1-K kerosene. In Belgium, this is called 'petroleum type c'.

CO and other harmful products

The safety of kerosine laser heaters is debated.

Sensitive people, for example, people suffering from asthma or heart problems, should be alert.

Portable heaters are currently considered not be a replacement for central heating.