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,
What you are talking about is the "cheap heat" system. It has some features that I don't like.
Advantages:
Nothing to trip over. (but my heaters are in otherwise wasted space)
Uses existing thermostat
is available in 3 "flavors"
can be set to run furnace fan at 1/2 speed (because other wise the smallest flavor blows pretty darned cool air, just like a heat strip)
Power is "brought to you" unlike propane which you must go and get.
Disadvantages:
Can not fail over to furnace
Can not replace all heating needs in the 30 amp flavor
Probably can not replace all heating needs in the "medium" flavor
Can not be used with 15 amp power
Can not be run to act as a helper to the furnace
takes 5 hours to install (and that is if you have done more than one).
Costs $500 smackers plus install (so in my opinion to call it cheap heat is an insult)
requires a good working knowledge of electricity to diy
voids the warranty on the furnace
the three flavors are identical--just wired differently to allow different output levels
the 30 amp flavor does only a few more watts than a heat strip in an air conditioner
the furnace fan gets a lot more hours on it
has the same noise level as the propane furnace.
Break even even for a full time RV'er is several years of use.
What you are talking about is the "cheap heat" system. It has some features that I don't like.
Advantages:
Nothing to trip over. (but my heaters are in otherwise wasted space)
Uses existing thermostat
is available in 3 "flavors"
can be set to run furnace fan at 1/2 speed (because other wise the smallest flavor blows pretty darned cool air, just like a heat strip)
Power is "brought to you" unlike propane which you must go and get.
Disadvantages:
Can not fail over to furnace
Can not replace all heating needs in the 30 amp flavor
Probably can not replace all heating needs in the "medium" flavor
Can not be used with 15 amp power
Can not be run to act as a helper to the furnace
takes 5 hours to install (and that is if you have done more than one).
Costs $500 smackers plus install (so in my opinion to call it cheap heat is an insult)
requires a good working knowledge of electricity to diy
voids the warranty on the furnace
the three flavors are identical--just wired differently to allow different output levels
the 30 amp flavor does only a few more watts than a heat strip in an air conditioner
the furnace fan gets a lot more hours on it
has the same noise level as the propane furnace.
Break even even for a full time RV'er is several years of use.
starlord wrote:
Saw a new item in the latest Trailer Life which might be of interest. Basically it's an add on for the furnace box and a switch on the wall like you have on some hot water heaters, has an electric heating coil that hooks in to the existing hot air ducts so you can run electric instead of propane to heat the trailer. No idea what the cost is for the unit but thought it was something to maybe check out.
