heating electrically a "back yard" report
Hi, This is a test of a cold soaked RV, ambient temperature -31 C (-23.8 f) The test started at 2:00 but I had difficulty getting the cords "run". I'm plugged into one 30 amp and two 15 amp outlets...
Forum Discussion
Hi mena,
A heat pump extracts heat from the air (or water, or ground). Essentially it is an air conditioner being run backwards.
The cost of running the compressor compared to the watts of heat extracted is about 100% more than running plain electric resistance heat at the lowest operating temperature for the "pump". The "catch" is that below freezing there is little heat that a unit can extract. They work well above about 4 C (40 f). There are some models that work below freezing.
In homes it is easy to dig down below the frost line--and use a heat pump to extract energy. There are also systems that work with water.
Unfortunately those water based and ground based systems are not available to rver's. I don't think that digging down 8 or 9 feet would be looked on favorably by a campground owner.
A heat pump extracts heat from the air (or water, or ground). Essentially it is an air conditioner being run backwards.
The cost of running the compressor compared to the watts of heat extracted is about 100% more than running plain electric resistance heat at the lowest operating temperature for the "pump". The "catch" is that below freezing there is little heat that a unit can extract. They work well above about 4 C (40 f). There are some models that work below freezing.
In homes it is easy to dig down below the frost line--and use a heat pump to extract energy. There are also systems that work with water.
Unfortunately those water based and ground based systems are not available to rver's. I don't think that digging down 8 or 9 feet would be looked on favorably by a campground owner.
mena661 wrote:
What is the difference between a heat strip and a heat pump?
