we have a couple of old storage heaters and a few days ago we started to notice a stong smell of what seemed like parafin. Im told that after a few years the resin in the heaters starts to breakdown can any one confirm or deny that
regards
rod

Rod, February 2008

terminal block is probably melting due to loose wire
terminal block will need to be replaced and wiring checked

bob, February 2014

One of the plastic connections has started melting below the control panel of my WMS712N Unidare storage heater, although the heater works fine but smells of plastic.
Is this easy to repair ?
Many Thanks,
Rob Sharp

Rob Sharp, January 2014

Definitely, I am not going to use heaters any more. I have the same problem and it is horrible. I think it is not safe and don't matter what other people says.

Esther Zamora-Martinez, March 2013

If your storage heaters are giving off paraffin or gas smelling fumes it will be for one of the following reasons...

1. They are new, and you should always expect for some smell to come out of them for a few days if they are new

2. You have decorated, polished, varnished or painted anything within your flat recently

3. Importantly, and is usually the case with mystery paraffin smells, your neighbours (if you live in a block of flats), have painted, polished or varnished anything recently. That includes the flat on the opposite side of the hall and especially below you.

4. They are old and the fabric inside is breaking down and emitting a paraffin or chemical-like smell as it does so.

5. They have been left on at full temperature for weeks in a row (unusual as this would normally make the temp uncomfortably hot)

6. There is something stuck inside the heater - a plastic toy, a plastic wrapper or anything of that nature

The paraffin smell IS NOT dangerous, though it is unpleasant. It is as common in new heaters (for reasons 1-3) as with old heaters. If the smell continues for more than four days you should call a professional and make sure you turn your heaters off before the electrician visits (the heater cannot be dissaembled while it is charged).

It is important to understand that carbon monoxide poisoning is a totally different issue. To be absolutely on the safe side, you should get a carbon monoxide detector and have it one in at least two rooms of your flat. This is especially important with young children.

Hope this helps!

beezelectrician, January 2013

Found this on google after researching the same problem, today the new residents below painted their flat and tonight iv woke up to the smell of bbq fire liquid (parafin) and reading a few comments it seems its normal when people below are painting although my nose is burning :/ x

Amym, March 2012

Iv had the same problem my 2 heaters have been letting off parrafin smells but the hallway in my block of flats has just been painted and it started around the same time. However saying that I searched what carbon monoxide smells like and came up with this.... Carbon Monoxide is odorless, but you can get detectors that plug into the electrical wall outlet to warn you if the level gets too high for human safety. These are only necessary if you have oil and/or gas heat and appliances (burning fuel). Electric heat and appliances don't generate carbon monoxide.

Shaz, February 2012

My heater just started to do the same thing 2 days ago, and there is a flat on the ground floor that just started to get painted around the same time...could that be it? it seems strange as the flat is well out of the way and it only seems to be affecting the heaters in the living room not the hallway.

Sounds like a possible reason though!

Rick, April 2011

Same problem here. 25 year old heaters. I did paint a room nearby - cannot remember if the problem began before the painting. I would love a solution to this problem

Nador, December 2010

Last night all of our storage heaters, 3 in 3 different rooms, starting absolutely stinking! The smell is the same reported paraffin smell.
Andyroo, below, has just switched a lightbulb on in my head!
The flat opposite ours has been painting, gathering from the strong paint smell in the hallway.
I think the heaters are somehow drawing some of the vapours in and pumping it out into the rooms. Weird. But there can't be any other explanation, all 3 stinking like paraffin at the same time!
I've had an electrician round before for a different smell coming from one of them (i've had nothing but trouble with them!) and he assured me there was nothing dangerous about them, and he was as perplexed as me.
The next flat we rent definitely needs central heating!

Truffles the sheep, December 2010

Did anyone on here sort out the problem buy buying new heaters or replacement parts?

Andyroo, December 2010

I have been told that there cant be anything in the storage heater causing this, and that it must be something else in the room getting drawn up into the storage heater. Maybe an air freshener, carpet cleaner, recently painted surfaces, Mr Sheen etc.

Andyroo, December 2010

Follow-up
Replaced elements, stat and bricks. Still stinks!

Rob, December 2010

Same parafin smell. Can't believe there is no answer. I'm replacing the elements on Monday (very simple DIY job).

Rob, November 2010

same here too, 3 of my 6 heaters have started giving off a parafin type smell and its that bad a friend pointed out she could smell it on my sons clothes. i've turned them off.
hope someone answers this soon.

sarah, November 2010

Same thing is happening with me... not the usual damp smell they give off due to dust. It's paraffin.

s, March 2010

i have the same problem does anyone have an answer is it dangerous or not?? will i need a new heater?

kay, March 2010

We have the same problem. All the ancient storage heaters in our house have started chucking out a paraffin type smell - and the higher the setting the bigger the stink. Our heaters are at least 30 years old and I agree with boabobski that they don't usually last that long without being replaced or serviced, etc. We have a young baby and I'm not going to let anmything happen to her so all we can do is turn the heaters down/off and wrap up warm until we can get the landlord to fix them. i strongly advise you all to do the same. I also found out that many storage heaters installed up until 1976 contain asbestos!

turniptopper, February 2010

no answer found this looking for one mine are starting to smell like parafin aswell not good in winter if i need to turn them off!!

boabobski, December 2009

My two storage heaters have just started giving off paraffin like fumes. They fill the whole house, its terrible. Have had to turn them off. They are about 20 years old but still in good working order (until now). I dont think this is a common problem because storage heaters probably dont usually last long enough for this to happen, so perhaps this is the reason no one knows the answer. Is this resin breakdown dangerous? In any case i cant live with the smell its too awfull. I spoke to the fire service but they have never heard of anything like this happening. Its not dust or anything so simple, its proper bad fumes coming directly from the heaters as they heat up.

Linda, April 2009

exactly the same problem here...lots of different responses on forums... getting an electrician to come have a look at it as some people are warning of poisonous fumes etc

magbf, March 2009

My sotrage heater smells a bit too - but I think its just dust inside heating up - nothing dangerous. I am getting my heatrer replaced though as the previous owner had large dogs and I think part of the smell is the leftover dog hair that is accumulated inside. Yeuch.

storage heater gal, March 2009

same here it was making me feel ill so i turned it off

Elbow, March 2009

No answer, but I came across your question while Googling because the old storage heaters in my rented flat have recently started doing exactly the same, and it is worrying me.

Hope someone answers you soon!

LE, February 2009