Have you seen the ceramic flower pot sitting over tealights photo that people sometimes post saying you can heat with candles? They make these elaborate setups including washers, nuts, a bolt. I have done a lot of digging into this topic, let me share what I’ve found.
You can heat a room with candles. It takes 10 watts of heat for 1 sq-ft, and a tealight produces 30 watts. So to heat a bedroom that is 150 sq-ft you will require 30 tealights. Replacing the tealights every 4 hours will cost you $.50 per hour or $12.00 per day.
If you have a smaller room, or more mild temperatures then this will likely take fewer candles and cost you less money.
The ceramic flowerpot is also not necessary. It serves no benefit when trying to heat with candles. The candle produces the same amount of heat with, or without the flowerpot. At best it serves as a diffuser for the heat and at worst it restricts the candles ability to heat.
The Cost of Candles vs. Electric Space Heater
| Heater Type | Cost Per Hour |
| 30 Tealights | $.50 |
| 900w Space Heater | $.11 |
Based on a national average of 12 cents per kWh.
Is Heating With Candles Dangerous?
Heating with candles is dangerous. The number of candles required to heat a space creates a situation in which carbon monoxide poisoning can take place. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to serious tissue damage and even death.
It is recommended you have some sort of ventilation and a carbon monoxide detector in your room to prevent any issues with carbon monoxide. It is actually very serious, you can read more about it on the Mayo Clinic website here.
Alternatives To Candles
If your bedroom is cold and you want a way to affordably stay warm at night I have a few suggestions that are better than candles.
- Buy A Heated Mattress Cover
- Buy A Heated Blanker
- Put On Some Layers
Conclusion
The only way I would consider candles to heat a room is if my electric was out. However, you still have better alternatives to candles in a power outage. Alternatives such as a kerosene heater, gas stove and propane.
If you do not have time to prepare for one of these situations candles might help you out in a pinch, but remember ventilation is key.