Thenna AndersenRV heater – Most people make road trips during the summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go camping during the winter. There are too many fun outdoor activities to miss in the winter.
For example, you can go sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, and snowball fighting. It’s a pity if you should miss the opportunity to do those activities just because your RV doesn’t have a proper heating system.
RV heaters are a great way to keep the interior of the RV warm. They can provide consistent heat in the RV while remaining energy-efficient. Also, they are built to last for a long time. After all, having a constant warm temperature can protect a variety of sensitive systems during freezing cold temperatures.
These are the reasons why RV heaters an essential feature in an RV. There are plenty of options for RV heater today. It can give newbie travelers quite a hard time choosing the right one. But don’t worry. In this article, we’ll provide you with some useful insights about RV heaters and give you some product recommendations.
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How do you heat an RV in the winter?
RV-ing in the winter is not impossible if you know what you should prepare. There are several things that you can do to keep the RV comfortable during winter. The first thing is skirting your RV. By skirting your RV, you can protect and keep the RV’s undercarriage, battery bays, and plumbing warm. If you don’t have a skirt installed, snow might pile up around the RV bays.
In addition to the skirt, you can also add extra protection for the vulnerable machinery in the RV, especially in the underbelly. Pipes, batteries, and plumbing usually need more than a skirt. To ensure safety, you’ll want to wrap them with heat tape. Moreover, you can also invest in a heated water hose or add insulation to your water hose to avoid frozen water line.
Many people also insulate their RV windows to maintain heat. Foam insulation boards, solar blankets, and bubble insulation are a few ways to do it. Furthermore, some people also use thermal curtains and RV sealant for extra warmth. They can maintain heat really well as long as there are no cracked or damaged stripping.
While all the previous ways are beneficial to keep warm, none of them can generate heat. To produce heat, you need a space heater, or in this case, RV heater. You can install inexpensive and energy-efficient space heaters to supplement your RV’s furnace. Without a doubt, investing in RV heaters are way better than replacing the plumbing after a freeze.
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How do RV heaters work?
Now we know that road trips and camping are entirely possible in the winter. As long as you have space heaters in your RV, you can stay warm, cozy, and safe in your RV. But, how do RV heaters work? This part will explain the process shortly to help you to know more about every part of your RV.
The way the RV heaters work is actually quite simple. An RV heater is basically a forced-air heater. It forced the hot air through the vents and the living space when the air inside the RV falls below the temperature on the thermostat. Now the question is: where did the hot air come from? The hot air created using a flame provided by propane and forced out by a blower fan. Therefore, you need to ensure you’ve got plenty of propane on board if you have a propane RV heater.
There are also electric RV heaters. It is the most commonly-used alternative to propane heaters. The main difference is that the electric RV heater requires a generator or shore power. However, using them will often be cheaper and quieter than the propane heaters.
The system includes thermostat, fan, circuit board, sail switch, safety limit switch, ductwork, and intake and exhaust vents. Look at how simple it is! The simplicity of the system makes it relatively durable and easy to repair.
Best RV heaters
There are plenty of RV heaters available on the market. Therefore, it’s important to know which one to buy. Here are the best RV heaters that we found.
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Lasko Ceramic Adjustable Heater
This electric space heater from Lasko comes with 3 quiet settings: low heat, high heat, and fan only. These settings make it ideal for different weather conditions. Also, it’s equipped with the adjustable thermostat with 11 different temperature settings and built-in safety features to protect it from overheating. Its convenient carry handle and compact size make it an ideal travel companion.
Camco Gas Catalytic Heater
This space heater operates on low-pressure gas. So, you need to make sure you have some propane gas available with you. It’s ideal for boondocking and dry camping since it doesn’t have an electrical drain or battery connection. Moreover, it runs very silently and able to heats up to 230 square feet.
Lasko Tower Space Heater
This 1500-watt space heater from Lasko comes with 2 quiet settings, high and low. Its compact design and its ergonomic carry handle make it ideal for RVs. Furthermore, this space heater also comes with a wireless remote control for more convenient use. With the remote control, the user can adjust the thermostat and the timer. The timer itself can be set from 1 to 7 hours.
Lasko Tower Space Heater
Although it looks similar to the previous one, this electric space heater has slightly better features. Not only it has a remote control, LED display, oscillation, but it also has an auto heat setting and an 8-hour setting on the timer. Furthermore, even though the features are very modern, the design looks quite vintage. This space heater will suit retro-designed RV really well.
Comfort Zone Space Heater
Comfort Zone makes products that meet global quality standards, and this space heater is one of them. Not only it is small, but it also lightweight compared to most space heaters. Its portability allows people to take it wherever and whenever they want. Also, this heater uses Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heating system that allows it to enhance the heat transfer in small spaces.
Lasko Designer Series Space Heater
This is one of the most beautifully-designed space heaters that we found. Its artistic and stylish body will blend in very well with classic designs. Besides, it also has 2 quiet settings, wireless remote control, adjustable thermostat, and widespread oscillation. Without a doubt, this space heater is perfect for people who love to add an elegant side to their RV.
DeLonghi Space Heater
This DeLonghi space heater is different than the previous ones, it’s a radiator space heater. It’s oil-filled and more energy-efficient. Although it’s quite big, it has some pre-assembled wheels that can help to move it around easily. As for the oil system, it’s permanently sealed. So, you don’t need to worry about refilling it.
Heat Storm Space Heater
This wall space heater from Heat Storm only needs 1000 watts of power to heat up 500 square feet. Since it’s a wall heater, it can save up space inside the RV. It also has a built-in thermostat with an LED display to monitor the temperature, and use the heater more efficiently. And with a 1-year manufacturer warranty, this wall heater is an ideal choice for small to medium RVs.
Comfort Glow Ceramic Disc Heater
This heater uses 4 ceramic disc heating elements to heat up the air in a room. The unique structure of the discs keeps the warmth distributed evenly and efficiently. Furthermore, it also has a built-in thermostat to ensure a consistent temperature. With such boxy looks, this heater will satisfy most of the retro design lovers.
Lasko Ultra Ceramic Fireplace Heater
The sleek and seamless design of this space heater will suit best with modern RV interiors. It also has attractive flame effects that will enhance the warm atmosphere in the room. In terms of features, this heater has overheating and tip-over safety protection. And with a 3-year limited warranty, this portable heater is perfect for people who are looking for a long-lasting heater.
Asterion Space Heater
With LED display, remote control, adjustable thermostat, 24-hour timer, and 90-degree oscillation, this space heater is complete in every way. Not only that, but this space heater from Asterion also has a 360-degree tip-over switch, overheat protection, and removable dust filter. And with such contemporary design, it’s hard not to put this space heater on the list.
Pelonis Space Heater
This space heater from Pelonis basically wins in every aspect. It comes with 4 modes and can be placed either vertically or horizontally. And, similar to its competitors, it has overheating protection, built-in carry handle, remote control, and a 24-hour timer. However, it also has an ECO mode that can save energy bills, easy-to-clean dust filter, and produces less noise.
Portable RV heater
Space-saving and portability are essential aspects of living in an RV. It will be great to have a space heater than works well without consuming too much space. With that in mind, we have some recommendations for the best portable RV heater below.
Mr. Heater Big Buddy Portable Propane Heater
Big Buddy heaters from Mr. Heater are sturdy and durable. Most of them can still work fine after 10 years of use. This portable heater from Mr. Heater can turn a 37 F room temperature to 65 F in just about 10 minutes. Moreover, you don’t need to turn it on all the time. Once the room is heated, you’ll be in a warm and cozy temperature for an hour.
Ontel Handy Heater
This handy heater from Ontel allows you to bring warmth and comfort wherever you need. Also, it features an LED display with a programmable timer to help you adjust the heat to your preferences. This portable heater can also stay cool to the touch while maintaining the energy-smart heating power.
Mr. Heater Little Buddy Propane Heater
This is a smaller alternative to the Big Buddy. Although it’s small, it can still warm up a 95 square feet room. It offers an odor-free air, a 45-degree heating angle, and an automatic shut-off system on low oxygen.
Pelonis Oil-filled Radiator Heater
Three heating modes, five temperature settings, LED display, digital thermostat, timer, and remote control are the main features of this radiator heater. Since it’s designed for medium to large rooms, this heater can supply maximized and constant warmth without loud noise.
Brightown Portable Heater
This portable space heater from Brightown comes with three heating modes, safety protection, and carrying handle. Its super-compact design and convenient features are making it perfect for medium size living spaces. Undeniably, it’s a perfect addition to small and medium RVs.
Home Choice Portable Heater
Simplicity and super portability are the main selling point of this heater. Not only it looks very compact and straightforward, but it also consumes less power than other portable heaters. It uses only 500-watt to heat small rooms. It’s ideal for smaller RVs.
Fochea Ceramic Space Heater
The unique cube shape is the first attractive thing from this portable heater. Other than that, this Fochea ceramic space heater features three settings: high/low (450W/950W) heating mode and natural wind mode (30W). In addition, this heater is also protected by a 1-year warranty.
ISILER space heater
Although it looks kind of small, this space heater can heat a room in seconds. The adjustable thermostat in this space heater allows you to control the temperature and reduce its power consumption. Moreover, this heater can also automatically shut off when the temperature exceeds the safety limit.
DeLonghi Thermic Panel Heater
Even though it’s so lightweight and thin, this 1500-watt portable heater can warm up rooms as well as the bigger heaters. It’s also fully-customized, you can either place it on the floor and the wall using the included kit. The design also makes it perfect for people who don’t have too much space left for a heater in their RV.
SMSJ Ceramic Space Heater
The unique design of this space heater is the main reason why we included it. Not only it can increase the temperature in the RV interiors, but it can also enhance the vibe and beauty. This space heater can also work as a nice decoration to any room interior.
Camco Gas Catalytic Heater
This portable space heater uses low-pressure propane gas to heat a room. Not only it can produce warm convective radiant heat, but it also creates no harmful amounts of carbon monoxide. Also, this heater can be either put on the floor or mounted on the wall.
Trustech Fireplace Heater
Its unique shape and simulated 3D flames feature are the selling point of this portable heater. It looks very elegant and will blend well with any modern and classy RV interior. Moreover, it also has a 72-degree auto oscillation function, tip-over shut off protection, and two heat settings.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the RV heater is an important feature to have in an RV. It makes traveling in cold weather possible and keeps travelers safe and cozy. However, choosing the right one that is ideal for your RV can be challenging. Therefore, use the recommendations we provided only for basic guidance. You need to explore more if our recommended products don’t meet your criteria. After all, choosing a space heater that has all the features that you need is the main objective here.
Thenna Andersen
