Kerosene heater in Chile: running cost in pesos, price per litre and which to choose

A mid-sized kerosene heater (called *parafina* in Chile), rated at about 2,740 kcal/h, burns about 0.31 litres per hour at full power. With kerosene at an average of CLP 1,347 per litre in the Santiago Metropolitan Region (price on 18 October 2026, based on National Energy Commission data compiled by preciocombustible.cl), that is about CLP 418 per hour of heating.

The bill changed sharply this month. The price of kerosene had been frozen since April under a government measure, and when that period ended, on 1 October, it rose CLP 281.8 per litre, according to state oil company ENAP's price report. Here is how much each type of heater uses, what it costs per month and how it compares with pellets, electricity and heat pumps.

Consumption depends on the heater's output, which manufacturers state in kcal/h (kilocalories per hour). More output means more heat and more litres per hour. These are real specs for Toyotomi models sold in Chile, according to the price comparison site Solotodo:

The table shows maximum consumption. Most heaters let you turn the flame down, and electronic ones regulate themselves once the room reaches the set temperature. The LC-53, for example, ranges from 0.11 to 0.484 litres per hour depending on the setting, according to its spec sheet. In real use, consumption is usually below the maximum.

How to estimate any heater's consumption

If your heater does not state litres per hour, you can estimate it from its output. A litre of kerosene delivers roughly 8,500 to 9,000 kcal, according to manufacturers' own specs (the LC-53 delivers 4,290 kcal/h on 0.484 litres, about 8,860 kcal per litre). Divide the heater's output by 8,800 for a good approximation of litres per hour at full power.

Kerosene has no single price: each distributor and service station sets its own based on ENAP's weekly reference. In the Metropolitan Region, on 18 October the average was CLP 1,347 per litre, with a minimum of CLP 1,065, according to CNE data. A 20-litre drum costs about CLP 26,940 on average.

The changes are those reported by ENAP and covered by outlets such as El Desconcierto. To find the cheapest price near you, the CNE runs parafinaenlinea.cl, listing outlets and their prices. The gap between the cheapest and the average can exceed CLP 200 per litre.

Monthly cost depends on how many hours you use it. With kerosene at CLP 1,347 per litre and the heater at full power, this is the cost of a 30-day month:

In other words, a mid-sized heater used five hours a day can cost about CLP 60,000 a month at full power, and less if you turn the flame down. In litres, that is about 46 litres a month, just over two 20-litre drums.

To compare heaters fairly, look at the cost per kWh of heat, not the price of the appliance. A 2,740 kcal/h heater delivers about 3.2 kW of heat (1 kW equals 860 kcal/h) and costs CLP 418 per hour: about CLP 131 per kWh of heat. This is how it compares:

Kerosene sits in the middle: it is cheaper than an electric heater, about half per kWh, but more expensive than pellets and than an inverter split used as a heat pump. The pellet figures are in how much a pellet stove costs to run, and the electric heater figures in how much an electric heater costs.

Price is not the only criterion. Kerosene burns fuel inside the house: it produces fumes and moisture and requires ventilation. Electricity emits no fumes indoors. That is why, in an insulated home with a split already installed, it often makes more sense to use the split in heating mode, as we explain in how much an air conditioner uses.

Three main types of kerosene heater are sold in Chile, with differences in price, convenience and safety:

• Wick (traditional): needs no electricity, so it works during a power cut. It is the cheapest, but it does not regulate temperature on its own and usually smells more when lit and turned off.
• Electronic or “laser”: needs a socket. It has a thermostat and regulates the flame, which saves fuel. It is the most common type in flats and urban homes.
• Flue type (FF): vents combustion gases outdoors through a duct. It is the safest for indoor air, but it is more expensive and must be installed through a wall or window.

To choose the output, check the room size recommended by each manufacturer and compare it with the square metres of the room, bearing in mind that a cold house or one with single glazing needs more output. An oversized heater does not save money: it burns more and overheats, and one that is too small runs at maximum all the time.

Any heater that burns fuel inside a room consumes oxygen and can produce carbon monoxide, an odourless, colourless and toxic gas. Basic recommendations:

• Ventilate the room for a few minutes every hour and leave a window slightly open.
• Do not use it in bedrooms while sleeping or in bathrooms or small closed spaces.
• Refuel with the heater off and cool, outdoors if possible.
• Store drums away from the heater and from children.
• Buy certified heaters: look for the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) seal.
• Keep the wick and filter clean: a yellow or smoky flame means poor combustion.

• Heat only the room you use and close the doors.
• Use the thermostat on electronic heaters: 19 to 20 °C is enough for most homes.
• Buy at the cheapest outlet using parafinaenlinea.cl.
• Seal gaps around doors and windows so the heat does not escape.
• Turn it off before bed and use warm bedding.

For reference, the hourly cost of a mid-sized kerosene heater (CLP 418) is higher than that of a 12,000 BTU split in heating mode, about CLP 250 per hour, which also delivers slightly more heat.

How much does a kerosene heater cost to run per hour?

Between CLP 327 and 838 per hour at full power, depending on size, with kerosene at CLP 1,347 per litre. A mid-sized heater costs about CLP 418 per hour.

How many litres of kerosene does a heater use per day?

A 2,740 kcal/h heater uses about 0.31 litres per hour: 1.5 litres in five hours at full power.

How long does a 20-litre drum last?

About 65 hours in a mid-sized heater at full power: close to two weeks at five hours a day.

Which is cheaper, kerosene or electricity?

Kerosene (about CLP 131 per kWh of heat) is cheaper than an electric resistance heater (about CLP 255), but more expensive than an inverter split in heating mode (about CLP 85) or pellets.

How much is a litre of kerosene in Chile?

In the Santiago Metropolitan Region, about CLP 1,347 on average on 18 October 2026, with prices from CLP 1,065, according to CNE data.