Acceptable Heating Sources

[RobynnLynne]

Realizing winter is around the corner, I have been thinking about the safety of Mr. Sunshine over the winter months. I have a furnace that burns fuel oil. How safe is this and what alternatives might there be?

 

[SailBoat]

What fuel you have tends to be very regional and choice by region tend to be limited to what you have. So, unless your area has choices, the question of which type of fuel is fairly locked in. If you have a choice, IMHO, Natural Gas would be my first choice.

There has been major improvements in the burner technology and you will clearly want the most recent burner system.

One could ramble on regarding the furnace, but unless you own the home, you will be limited in what changes, improvement or total replacement you can do or request.

If its yours, this is the perfect time of year to have your unit evaluated by a professional as pressure regarding keeping AC units running is winding down and near no one is thinking about the heating season.

 

[noodles123]

I have lived with birds in homes heated by antique radiators (water) and natural gas heaters. If you use natural gas, a carbon monoxide detector is important (as is frequent upkeep).

There are some hot-oil radiators that are recommended for birds as alternatives to more dangerous space-heaters and wood-burning stoves. The hot oil heaters can be found on bird websites---It's all internal (no fumes) but do make sure you research first...I am not sure they are all created equal (if that makes sense..)
Basically, you don't want anything that produces any sort of exhaust/fumes--- even candles and oil warmers are dangerous to birds' sensitive respiratory systems.

https://birdtricksstore.com/blogs/birdtricks-blog/bird-safe-heaters

 

[Scott]

Virtually all of my homes have had natural gas central heating. Combustion occurs in the attic and exhaust is vented outward. If you desire a space heater, oil-filled electrically heated mobile unites are generally safe.

 

[SailBoat]

I have lived with birds in homes heated by antique radiators (water) and natural gas heaters. If you use natural gas, a carbon monoxide detector is important (as is frequent upkeep).

There are some hot-oil radiators that are recommended for birds as alternatives to more dangerous space-heaters and wood-burning stoves. The hot oil heaters can be found on bird websites---It's all internal (no fumes) but do make sure you research first...I am not sure they are all created equal (if that makes sense..)
Basically, you don't want anything that produces any sort of exhaust/fumes--- even candles and oil warmers are dangerous to birds' sensitive respiratory systems.

https://birdtricksstore.com/blogs/birdtricks-blog/bird-safe-heaters

Life in the Great White North is extremely expensive with electric heat, hence unless one has no other choice other than electric, a furnace that burns fuel is needed and they all produce exhaust /fumes. All fuels, including wood furnaces require the use of carbon monoxide detector.