An oil heater, also known as an oil-filled heater, oil-filled radiator, or column heater, is a common form of convection heater used in domestic heating. Although filled with oil, it is electrically heated and does not involve burning any oil fuel, such as kerosene.
Oil heaters consist ]] allows the oil to store a large amount of thermal energy in a small volume, while the high boiling point allows it to remain in the liquid phase for the purpose of heating, so that the heater does not have to be a high pressure vessel.
Although oil heaters are more expensive to run and provide far less spatial heating than gas heaters, they are still commonly used in bedrooms and other small-to-medium-sized enclosed areas. This is because gas heaters, especially when unflued, are not suitable for bedroom use - gas heaters cannot be used in confined spaces due to the reduced oxygen and emissions produced. This leaves electrically powered heaters, such as oil heaters and fan heaters, as the only alternative.
In general, oil heaters are considered safer than electric fan heaters, as they can have lower surface temperatures and require less consideration of the flow of air through/over the heater.
