We have a TT toy Hauler that is wired for a 2nd AC in the Garage. We are currently in our TH until we find the perfect retirement house to buy. We are using Space heaters to defer the cost of propane since electricity is included in our space rent. We know we will need the second A/C once summer arrives and are debating getting a Heat Pump to assist in the heating and not having to use as many space heaters. The AC/Heat Pump will be on its own circuit so not turning off space heaters to make coffee. Just wondering what your thoughts are. Our TH is 50 AMP service.THXSM & C

Either way-if your main AC is a heat pump I'd match it and put a unit back there.Honestly-whether it will fulfill your needs is debatable:The heat pumps work well when it's cool but not freezing-I find that even though my unit will make heat at 35 the heat blowing from up high does not make it comfortable sitting in the recliner-and when it shuts of you feel the missing heat right away-I need heat at the floor to make the unit nice to stay in(ceiling is high in the fiver) Now, in the garage that may not matter-if you're just using it to sleep-or for storage whatever heat you can get in should work for you.Also-can't you manage your plugs to keep the heaters on and still make coffee? Usually with a 50A unit you have enough outlets to run 2 space heaters and have a kitchen outlet still on an unused circuit?And-Does the CG pedestal have an extra 20A plug you can run an ext cord from to you garage? or a 30A outlet you could reduce down and use for extra power?

Hi,The heat pump cost is in-significant, but it can put out more than double the Btu's of a space heater. Nearly 15,000 Btu's while at 57F outside temps, from a unit rated to cool at 13,500 Btu's. This is because it is actually cooling the outside air at about 13,500 BtuH, and the heat from the compressor motor is added to the freon, to give a total heat capacity a little greater than the cool rating in the summer time.For reference, a space heater is about 5,200 Btu's per hour while on the 1,500 watt setting. They are kept just below 12.5 amps to keep them from tripping a 15 amp circuit breaker.If you find that your new home will have a place to plug in the TH, and you will be heating it with your own power, you will like only using 1/3 the power with a heat pump compared to a electric heater. To provide 80,000 Btu's of heating, you need to burn 1 gallon of propane, or 22 KW of electric or run a heat pump that will use about 5.5 KW to 8 KW, more power on a cooler day than on a warmer one. So the heat pump will use about 1/3 the power of a electric resistance heater. Fred.

if you are buying an AC anyway, might as well make it a heat pump as long as you know their deficiencies. but NOT one of those small electric strip heaters they put in one.bumpy

Did you consider the cost up front? If that is not a show stopper, I could not think of a reason on why not to do it.

We are debating the same thing. I have a 15k btu ducted AC and a spot for a second in our bedroom. Though a 13k btu will be good for the bedroom, we are looking to move the current one forward and putting in a heat-pump so it can utilize the ceiling ducts. With that being said, as mentioned, heat is non-existent as you approach freezing. With that being said, you should be using the ducted heat for your belly tanks. For us though, with it most always upper forties to lower fifties at night, I think a heat-pump would be ideal for us. I am torn with the 15k btu up front....way too big for such a small space....Cale

A/C or Heat Pump | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

Luke_Porter
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
Bumpyroad wrote:
Vulcaneer wrote:

Have had heat pumps in homes. Hated them. Because they were primary heat source systems. When it got cold, they were very expensive to get real heat. And of course we were paying for the electricity.

x2
bumpy

But that's not the case here as they have a furnace also. Might even be better depending on how well the garage is heated.
B_Sjulestad
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2013
Bumpyroad wrote:
Dave H M wrote:
B.Sjulestad wrote:
I have a heat pump and I have been able to keep it comfortable even during the last couple of weeks when we were in the low 20's. I have the propane turned off so its all heat pump.

Careful there Mr B, you are about to break the urban legend. :W

either that or is definition of "comfortable" differs from others.
bumpy

60 is comfortable and is great for sleeping :)
Retired_JSO
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2013
our heat pumps keeps us nice and warm in outside temperatures down to 37 degrees during our Georgia, North Carolina travels.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
Vulcaneer wrote:

Have had heat pumps in homes. Hated them. Because they were primary heat source systems. When it got cold, they were very expensive to get real heat. And of course we were paying for the electricity.

x2
bumpy
Vulcaneer
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
We have two heat pumps in our 5th wheel. Love them. Because we have a Propane furnace, as a primary source, if we need it. So the heat pumps are the secondary heat source. You gotta know the limitations. Also have an electric fireplace to help out too, if needed. Saves on propane costs. Below 35 degrees, we use the furnace. Also great for A/C.

Have had heat pumps in homes. Hated them. Because they were primary heat source systems. When it got cold, they were very expensive to get real heat. And of course we were paying for the electricity.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
Dave H M wrote:
B.Sjulestad wrote:
I have a heat pump and I have been able to keep it comfortable even during the last couple of weeks when we were in the low 20's. I have the propane turned off so its all heat pump.

Careful there Mr B, you are about to break the urban legend. :W

either that or is definition of "comfortable" differs from others.
bumpy
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Dec 29, 2013
Around here a heat pump is on a dedicated circuit load controlled by the electric company and in the summer during peak periods they shut it off. There have been some complaints that it gets too hot in the house then. Now this was a article I read years ago so maybe things have changed.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2013
B.Sjulestad wrote:
I have a heat pump and I have been able to keep it comfortable even during the last couple of weeks when we were in the low 20's. I have the propane turned off so its all heat pump.

Careful there Mr B, you are about to break the urban legend. :W
sgtcoffey
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
Thanks all Since we are in Vegas we are leaning towards the heat pump. Looked at the breakers and found one for the Garage that is a different circuit so Coffee with Heaters running Great. thanks for the help
B_Sjulestad
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2013
I have a heat pump and I have been able to keep it comfortable even during the last couple of weeks when we were in the low 20's. I have the propane turned off so its all heat pump.

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A/C or Heat Pump

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