No need to tell you the importance of an oil heater in your room during cold. Its proper heat distribution keeps you warm all day and night. But what if you need to move it somewhere in the room or shift it to another room? Are there any risks? Can you transport an oil heater on its side?
There’s no harm in putting your oil heater upside down or putting it on its side while shifting it elsewhere. The oil inside the heater remains wholly sealed—no chance of spilling the oil out of the container unless it’s cracked. But make sure the fins are not damaged, and it doesn’t fall off.
This is one of many advantages of an oil heater. Even if you shake the heater a bit, there won’t be much of a difference.
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Shifting The Position Of Your Oil Heater
The oil heater comes with wheels so that you can quickly move it anywhere. That’s because it’s not a machine to set in a single place.
You may need to move it in the corner while children are playing or put it close to your bed because you feel too cold. Well, you can lift the heater and put it to your desired location.
There won’t be much risk to carrying the oil heater even on its side to shift elsewhere. When you first buy your oil heater, it’s usually placed on its side.
Moving Your Oil Heater On Its Side
Well, you can move your oil heater on its side. Even manufacturers distribute their heaters by putting them upside down or on their side to save space in packaging. They never mention any risk of doing it.
You may think – can you transport an oil heater on its side while the oil chamber and the fins are placed on its side as well?
First of all, the oils of any oil heater remain in an intact chamber that can’t be opened from the outside. Therefore, there is no chance that the sealed oil would get spilled out.
The metal body of the heater refrains the heater from cracks. On top of that, the heater has anti-tip protection that means there won’t be any heat on its side. So, nothing to be concerned about whether your heater is placed upside down or on its side.
This feature really helps when you want to store the oil heater for further use, maybe for the following winter.
Oil Heater Positioning Myths
Despite giving such assurance, there is a myth going on – if you put your heater on its side, you need to keep it upright for “a week” before you start to use it again.
Well, it’s not certainly true at all. There’s no such thing as “at least a week of steadiness” on the manual or instruction book. If the manufacturers think of this, they would have already put it on instructions!
On top of that, their instruction manual says that the heater is ready to use whenever you turn it upright. Also, you need to place the radiator upside down. It will help to unfold the casters.
Thus, the information proves that the myths about “can you transport an oil heater on its side” are totally wrong!
Is There Any Risk of Turning an Oil Heater on Its Side?
Well, it’s clear that you don’t have to wait for a week to start your oil heater if you put it on its side. There isn’t any risk of doing it. However, there is a side effect to that.
The oil heater uses a single heating element that is initially placed at the bottom. There are some upper and lower horizontal tubes, small channels, and fins filled with oil.
Therefore, when you put the heater on its side, the oils are stored at the lower horizontal tubes. After the heat, the oil can’t immediately go to the upper horizontal tubes and the fins.
It takes a while to distribute the oil all over the tubes and fins. So, you will feel some uneven distribution of heat for some minutes, like around 10 to 15 minutes.
After that, your oil heater should be ready to rock!
Cautions During Shifting Oil Heater
Though there is no risk of shifting the oil heater or putting it on its side, you need to take some caution during such actions to avoid any physical damage.
Avoid Fall
The first thing to be careful of is not to drop the heater while shifting it, putting it upside down, or putting it on its side. Your oil heater may break or have cracks in the body or the fins.
Use Cover on The Fin
The cover can protect the fin from damages. That’s because fins are very thin plates which makes them easily vulnerable. If you accidentally fell the heater on the side, fins will be the first ones to be damaged.
Therefore, you should always use some fin covers to protect them.
Patience!
Remember the 15-minute break to distribute the oil.
Some people go impatient after a few minutes when they see the heat is flowing in other directions. After that, they may shake the heater for quick distribution of oils. Well, if you think it will work, you got the wrong idea.
On the contrary, you may accidentally drop the heater while shaking it. As oil is denser than water, it will take time to spread all over the tubes and fins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an oil heater’s fins explode?
Is it dangerous to touch my oil heater?
Do oil heaters have a health impact?
On top of that, the heaters don’t even reduce the humidity of your room. However, all-night use may cause dry skin and throat or some rashes.
What type of oil is better for my oil heater?
What temperature is best to set on my heater thermostat?
Bottom Line
Oil heaters are for you to provide comfort. Therefore, you should know everything about its functionality. So, it’s crucial to understand how you should store it after winter or shift it somewhere else.
Hopefully, your question – “can you transport an oil heater on its side” is answered. Though there are not many risks, it won’t harm to take cautions always. Enjoy the winter by staying warm!
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