OEM Propane Heater vs. Portable 1500w 120 V Ceramic Heater

We've been using a Vornado for several years and prefer it to using the furnace. It's much quieter and doesn't use up the propane. If you're already paying for the hook-up it doesn't cost a single penny more to use.

1: A 120 volt ceramic heater doesn't outgas (other than burning off any dust or factory oil when it is new.) However, just make sure to place it somewhere where it won't get knocked into flammable stuff. Nothing wrong with it, although I prefer forced-warm-air heaters like Vornadoes.

However, the propane furnace is better since it will vent warm air on the tanks, keeping them from freezing, while an electric heater will just keep the coach area warm.

2: It will work pretty well, but having a fan to circulate air will help a lot. Even a battery powered O2Cool that is used to blow warm air from the ceiling back down will come in handy to keeping everything evenly heated.

3: The RV furnace sucks air from the outside and exhausts it to the outside. The air in the RV goes through a heat exchanger, and never contacts the air the RV furnace uses. No venting needed.

4: I've burned through two 20# bottles on a weekend in low 20s weather, however I had the thermostat cranked to 78, so it was expected that the furnace would be chugging on the tanks.

I like using the RV furnace just because it gets the whole rig heated, as well as the water tanks. However, propane might be hard to get, and if on hookups, electricity is included with the bill, so one might just use an electric heater.

1. Portable heaters don't heat thoroughly or as well as your furnace.

3. No.

4. A week or maybe two.

I bring a 1500 watt electric heater and use it first if I'm with 120 volt service. If the heater needs help or I don't have 120 volt service, the gas heater is used.

If the gas heater is factory supplied, it should be vented to the outside and not need any additional venting.

How long the LP tank will last depending on trailer size, insulation, how high the desired inside temperature will be, the size of the heater, and such.

In a warm southern climate, you probably won't need to turn on the gas heater very much.