Elec. heat v. Gas heat
I have a heating element in my a/c and gas heat. If I turn on the elec. heat, will the system automatically switch to gas heat if the temperature drops below a certain degree?
Forum Discussion
Hi,
I think the OP only has a heat strip. That will function to well below freezing but will only do 1500 watts of heating. The Dometic thermostat doesn't switch to propane heating.
I added a second "dumb" thermostat which controls only the furnace. It is set to cut in if the temperature sags too much, or if the power goes off. This also allows me use the heat strip and the furnace at the same time.
If the OP has a heat pump, the control board may be sophisticated enough to switch over to the propane furnace if needed.
If someone has added a so called "cheap heat" system it will not automatically switch to propane should the power fail. Nor can you use the electric and the propane simultaneously.
So far, I have always had adequate power to heat 100% electrically. My peak load is about 7100 watts. I've boondocked at -37 C (-34 f) with two 15 amp shore power circuits. My RV is highly modified.
I think the OP only has a heat strip. That will function to well below freezing but will only do 1500 watts of heating. The Dometic thermostat doesn't switch to propane heating.
I added a second "dumb" thermostat which controls only the furnace. It is set to cut in if the temperature sags too much, or if the power goes off. This also allows me use the heat strip and the furnace at the same time.
If the OP has a heat pump, the control board may be sophisticated enough to switch over to the propane furnace if needed.
If someone has added a so called "cheap heat" system it will not automatically switch to propane should the power fail. Nor can you use the electric and the propane simultaneously.
So far, I have always had adequate power to heat 100% electrically. My peak load is about 7100 watts. I've boondocked at -37 C (-34 f) with two 15 amp shore power circuits. My RV is highly modified.
