Electric Fireplace or AC/Heat pump

I've replaced all but 3 outlets in my RV with good quality screw terminal type. As I knew I'd be using high wattage devices it was one of the first things I did.

I've used my heat pump for last 3 days as temps are floating between low 40's to mid 50's. This is the prime operating range for heat pump as it won't run below 40 as others have stated. Best part of when you can use it is even heating through out the coach if ducted. I do have to say that this is the most I have been able to use in last 5 years due to current temp range.

Fireplace works best to just take the chill off the living area on cool mornings /evenings. Also supplements the furnace when real cold to reduce furnace cycle time and propane consumption. Downside is cold spots outside the direct living area.

Portable can be used anywhere you need them but I have found that the plugs heat up when used on high so I only use on low which is 900-1000 watts. I don't want to risk melted and shorted out wiring and possible fire. 1 portable used with fireplace heats rig very well with furnace only coming on occasionally.

Of course everyone's experience will vary depending on rig and level of insulation.

Specifically in your case I would just go portable due to cost of adding either unit.
If starting over in a different rig, I would look for heat pump and fireplace. Fireplace could be a deal breaker but heat pump would not due to limited ability to use.
Randu

Heat pumps work when there is enough heat OUTSIDE, depending on the model some can work down to around 30 degrees but many cut out at around 40.

Electric fireplace,, Heat output varies with wattage but it works at all temps. and looks nice.

Space heaters,, See electric fireplace, but with the "Fire" turned off. plus more flexibility in positioning and lower cost.

NOTE: A 1500 watt heater draws around 12 amps, Many of those outlets used in motor homes are somewhat "Stressed" at that current level and may fail. I have had one fail, so have others,, I fixed by putting dedicated 15/20 amp outlets, each is fed with 12 ga, bent around a screw and tightened well, and fed by a breaker that feeds only that outlet nothing else,

If all you want is heat, I agree with many others. $20-30 gets a good space heater.

We love the built in fireplace. As a great look with the lights and mirrors feels realistic. The heat is very nice and quiet. Provides heat at low temps. We keep bedroom cool so it warms the living area. When furnace was out and it was 8 degrees I was running the generator and got great heat to keep us comfortable and put a space heater in the bedroom. I never would have said this before I had one but fireplace is my choice. Heat pump serves virtually no function for me and I have two.

Replace an AC, cost point is a bit hard to go up against. A dead AC maybe but not a working unit. The electric fireplace doesn't take up much space and look nice if you have a place to install but you can buy several small space heaters for the same price that are not fix in one place. I went thru the same coin toss and ended up with two space heaters. Next coach will have heat pumps but not the current one.

If you winter camp don't rely solely on electric. Many rigs have a duct off the propane furnace to the wet areas (fresh and waste tanks)under the floor to keep vital stuff from freezing.

The heat pump should run fine at 40F outside air temp. It will move about 13,500 Btu's at 50F from outside to inside. It will only consume about 1,300 watts for this, or about 3 times as much heat per watt as the electric fireplace or $25 Wal Mart heater.

So to get 80,000 Btu's inside the RV, you can burn a gallon of propane, or use 22 KW in the electric heater or fireplace, or use about 8 KW with the heat pump.

When I was living in the RV in Portland OR, I was buying propane at $2.50 or heating with electric at $2.20. I would have used electric even if I had to pay $0.13 per KW, perhaps even at $0.16 per KW just because it is easier to hook up to electric and not refill the propane tanks.

When dry camping, I use my Olympic Catalytic Heater, it is a 1994 model, that has many hours use over the years. I like the constant heat, and that it will not consume any 12 volt power. Yet because you must leave a roof vent open, it does cause the RV to loose heat faster, and I would probably consume a little more propane.

Have fun camping!

Fred.

My heat pumps work down to 40 degrees then the furnace automatically turns on and heat pumps shut down. Thought that was how all of them worked. I like to set the temp at 70 and forget about it.

Get a couple of Lasko tower heaters. They put out the same amount of heat as the fireplace, but you can move them where ever you need them and don't lose a huge amount of storage space.

For staying warm your best bet is the built in furnace. It's should be about 40,000 btu so much more heat capacity than any of the options you mentioned....plus it's paid for.

Supplemental area heating, as was mentioned, a portable electric.