In most of the campground across the southwest, if you are on a weekely or monthly rate your electricity is metered and you pay for useage. As I look at tomorrow's and the next days forecast, the highs are going to be 44 and 45 degrees on Mustang Island. The lows 34. So Iam pondering about using the electric fireplace to take the chill off our just run the furnace or both. When we are not on metered electric we always run the fireplace. Not knowing the rates for propane or electric at this campground, just wondering in a very GENERAL sense, what would the economics of this choice be. I am sure someone on this forum has already calculated this. 25-35 mph north winds are sure going to be putting this to the test for a couple of days.....if the forecast is correct. :W

I'm in Rockport where it's a lot cheaper than over there on Mustang Island. So if you can afford to stay over there why sweat the small stuff? Anyways we have the fireplace plus a ceramic heater and our average electric bills for the winter down here are around $110. We usually do 2 propane tanks for 4 months. The 7 gallon propane tank used to cost $24 - $25 for a fill up but Tractor Supply is only charging something like $2.12 a gallon so I might start heating with propane again.

For two days I would use whatever makes us comfortable.

"If one gallon of propane is equal to 27 kWh of electricity, then we can compare the costs of these fuels directly by looking at the price per unit (propane gallons or kilowatt hours) and finding the price difference. This can easily be done by looking at your electric bill and multiplying the price per kWh by 27. The resulting number will be a dollar figure that will be either greater than or less than the price of a gallon of propane. For example, if you are paying 12¢ per kWh, the electrical cost comparison figure to a gallon of propane will be $3.24 (.12 x 27 = 3.24). Electricity is cheaper than propane if propane is selling for $3.24 per gallon or more and propane is cheaper than electricity if it is selling for less than $3.24 per gallon."Of course a special trip to get propane tank refilled needs to be account for. I try to include that in other shopping trips.Chris

What is the hassle of removing, filling and replacing 40# (in our case) propane cylinders worth?We have the CheapHeat system in our furnace, so making the choice is as simple as flipping the "Gas/Electric" switch in the control closet.Rusty

RustyJC wrote:What is the hassle of removing, filling and replacing 40# (in our case) propane cylinders worth?We have the CheapHeat system in our furnace, so making the choice is as simple as flipping the "Gas/Electric" switch in the control closet.RustyYIP, you took the words....Propane is for cooktop/oven and BBQ. Rarely have to fill the BIG tanks. We pay .15 KW/HR for electricity on our site. CheapHeat is so nice!!! It's running right now.

Electric vs propane | Good Sam Community

Me_Again
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2016
So with a 130k investment in truck and trailer, I guess what ever makes me comfortable in the trailer is what I will do. 20/month one way or the other is not on my radar.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2016
Furnace warms the bathroom well in the morning also. Hate cold seats!!!

:p
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2016
Me Again wrote:
"If one gallon of propane is equal to 27 kWh of electricity, ...
RV furnaces are about 70 percent efficient with 30 percent going out the exhaust. So a gallon of propane is closer to about 18KWh of electricity. Then do the calculations.
tinner12002
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
tempforce wrote:
use both, have your thermostat set for a comfortable temp. turn on the electric fireplace. if the temp drops below the gas thermo setting, the gas will kick on. r.v.'s are not known for being well insulated. also if your basement is heated with the propane vents. you will want to have the propane running most of the time..

Or you can run your elec heat and run the furnace fan to circulate air through your heated basement.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2016
Personally I like the nice warm blast of warmer air from the propane furnace in the morning vs the slow heat rise from the electric fireplace.

Furnace will warm the trailer much faster. At 39'4" and a full height roof all the way back, we have a large volume area to heat.

Chris
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 17, 2016
Discussion on Escapees board
RustyJC
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Propane is for cooktop/oven and BBQ. Rarely have to fill the BIG tanks. We pay .15 KW/HR for electricity on our site.

CheapHeat is so nice!!! It's running right now.

Sandy uses the convection microwave for baking and an induction cooktop unit in lieu of the range's cooktop for pots and pans. With the CheapHeat system and the fireplace handling the heating duties, we've never refilled our propane tanks in the over 2.5 years we've owned this 5th wheel.

Rusty
Me_Again
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2016
So Ron, at .15 per KW, anything less than 4.05 per gallon for propane makes it a cheaper way to heat. Chris
tempforce
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
use both, have your thermostat set for a comfortable temp. turn on the electric fireplace. if the temp drops below the gas thermo setting, the gas will kick on. r.v.'s are not known for being well insulated. also if your basement is heated with the propane vents. you will want to have the propane running most of the time..
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 17, 2016
RustyJC wrote:
What is the hassle of removing, filling and replacing 40# (in our case) propane cylinders worth?

We have the CheapHeat system in our furnace, so making the choice is as simple as flipping the "Gas/Electric" switch in the control closet.

Rusty

YIP, you took the words....

Propane is for cooktop/oven and BBQ. Rarely have to fill the BIG tanks. We pay .15 KW/HR for electricity on our site.

CheapHeat is so nice!!! It's running right now.

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