Adding Heat Strips

Check the manual or check with domestic. Some A/C units have plastic parts in the area where the heat strip mounts that may melt.

mobeewan wrote:
Some A/C units have plastic parts in the area where the heat strip mounts that may melt.

Dometic makes a kit for the OP's model. I would hope it doesn't melt things.
Dometic heat strip for B57915 ducted system

There's a different kit for non-ducted systems.

Two points from my experience:
1) Don't expect a huge amount of heat. Doug posted the wattage earlier. A space heater can give just as much or more heat.
2) These things stink like heck on the first use of the season. Before you really need it, run it a few minutes with the windows open.

I had them in my pop up ac. They basicly said they were more like warmers to make it a tad more confterble then to be able to give off any real heat. And they were right.

road-runner wrote:

mobeewan wrote:
Some A/C units have plastic parts in the area where the heat strip mounts that may melt.

Dometic makes a kit for the OP's model. I would hope it doesn't melt things.
Dometic heat strip for B57915 ducted system

There's a different kit for non-ducted systems.

Two points from my experience:
1) Don't expect a huge amount of heat. Doug posted the wattage earlier. A space heater can give just as much or more heat.
2) These things stink like heck on the first use of the season. Before you really need it, run it a few minutes with the windows open.

As I said "Some A/C units". That is the warning that I saw someone post on another forum. As I stated the OP should check to make sure that his unit is okay to add it. If Dometic makes a kit then it should be able to be added without issues as long as the installation directions are followed.

Sjm9911 wrote:
I had them in my pop up ac. They basicly said they were more like warmers to make it a tad more confterble then to be able to give off any real heat. And they were right.

Agree. they really aren't worth the effort. In my popup. If it was 60 degrees. The heat strip would warm it right up to 61. Only it would feel colder.

Save your money. Heat strips heat less than a hair dryer.

Since heat strips put out about the same BTUs as a portable heater they will raise the overall temperature about the same. When people complain about little heat from them, they aren't considering the considerable air flow from the air conditioner fan. The air temperature from the ceiling vents will be much less than from a small portable heater but there will be much more air. That flow of air that is only a few degrees above the ambient air temperature may feel cool, but just leave it on. As the temperature rises it won't feel so cool when near normal room temperature.

Lynnmor wrote:
Since heat strips put out about the same BTUs as a portable heater they will raise the overall temperature about the same. When people complain about little heat from them, they aren't considering the considerable air flow from the air conditioner fan. The air temperature from the ceiling vents will be much less than from a small portable heater but there will be much more air. That flow of air that is only a few degrees above the ambient air temperature may feel cool, but just leave it on. As the temperature rises it won't feel so cool when near normal room temperature.

But to this point it begs the question - why bother? Given that it's considerably more cost and effort than a few ceramic heaters that produce the same result. Personally I wouldn't want to put the time and effort into a heating system that still leaves me feeling cold. I don't think I've ever read anything on this forum over the years that say that heat strips are awesome. Almost invariably, all posts agree, they marginally work if it's not really cold to begin with.

way2roll wrote:


But to this point it begs the question - why bother? Given that it's considerably more cost and effort than a few ceramic heaters that produce the same result. Personally I wouldn't want to put the time and effort into a heating system that still leaves me feeling cold. I don't think I've ever read anything on this forum over the years that say that heat strips are awesome. Almost invariably, all posts agree, they marginally work if it's not really cold to begin with.

Because the cost is quite low, they don't need to be stored, they are always ready to go and a thermostat controls them. I have never seen anyone give them a chance to work, only instant gratification comments.

Lynnmor wrote:

way2roll wrote:


But to this point it begs the question - why bother? Given that it's considerably more cost and effort than a few ceramic heaters that produce the same result. Personally I wouldn't want to put the time and effort into a heating system that still leaves me feeling cold. I don't think I've ever read anything on this forum over the years that say that heat strips are awesome. Almost invariably, all posts agree, they marginally work if it's not really cold to begin with.

Because the cost is quite low, they don't need to be stored, they are always ready to go and a thermostat controls them. I have never seen anyone give them a chance to work, only instant gratification comments.

To each his own I guess. I think heat strips are about $100 when it's all said and done and a small cube heater with the same BTU can be had for about $20. Heat rises, so a portable heater has the advantage of heating from the floor up, as opposed to the heat strips being fan driven with cool air from the top down. I hear you on giving them a chance to work and that makes sense, but when I am cold that's the one time I would prefer instant gratification. I use my LP furnace or fireplace and forget portable units and heat strips altogether. But that's me.

Lynnmor wrote:

way2roll wrote:


But to this point it begs the question - why bother? Given that it's considerably more cost and effort than a few ceramic heaters that produce the same result. Personally I wouldn't want to put the time and effort into a heating system that still leaves me feeling cold. I don't think I've ever read anything on this forum over the years that say that heat strips are awesome. Almost invariably, all posts agree, they marginally work if it's not really cold to begin with.

Because the cost is quite low, they don't need to be stored, they are always ready to go and a thermostat controls them. I have never seen anyone give them a chance to work, only instant gratification comments.

I gave mine lots of time to work. I turned it on, left it on for a few hours, and when I returned. The pup was just as cold as when I left it. NOT worth the time and money. As I said. they put out about the same heat as a hair dryer, only with more air.. a oil filled heater works MUCH better, and less than $50.00