Adding Fireplace heater

[Colo_Native]

Has anyone added a fireplace heater? Thinking of doing it in my MH I have room under the TV I just don't if it worth the $500 or so price tag. I would have to run a dedicated 15a outlet but that shouldn't to big of issue or should I just stick to a ceramic space heater?

[TakingThe5th]

BarneyS wrote:

rtate wrote:

I was wondering about that also. Isnt 1500 watts , 1500 watts no matter quartz, inferred or what ever?

Yes, but some heaters have a better fan or way to distribute that heat than others. This seems to make it feel like the heater is putting out more even though the BTU is the same.
Barney

You also have convection heaters and radiant heaters which can change your perception of how much heat is being produced.

[BarneyS]

rtate wrote:

I was wondering about that also. Isnt 1500 watts , 1500 watts no matter quartz, inferred or what ever?

Yes, but some heaters have a better fan or way to distribute that heat than others. This seems to make it feel like the heater is putting out more even though the BTU is the same.
Barney

[rtate]

Alan_Hepburn wrote:

Bird Freak wrote:
I guess some folks don't know a 1500 watt heater is just that. Doesn't matter if its a portable or fireplace. I have installed 2 fireplace heaters so far and they both work great.

Yeah - like a 1500W ceramic cube somehow puts out more heat than a 1500W coil in a fireplace... 🙂

I was wondering about that also. Isnt 1500 watts , 1500 watts no matter quartz, inferred or what ever?

[Alan_Hepburn]

Bird Freak wrote:
I guess some folks don't know a 1500 watt heater is just that. Doesn't matter if its a portable or fireplace. I have installed 2 fireplace heaters so far and they both work great.

Yeah - like a 1500W ceramic cube somehow puts out more heat than a 1500W coil in a fireplace... 🙂

[Bird_Freak]

I guess some folks don't know a 1500 watt heater is just that. Doesn't matter if its a portable or fireplace. I have installed 2 fireplace heaters so far and they both work great.

[rockhillmanor]

aslakson wrote:
If you're looking for heat, stick to the ceramic. RV fireplaces are largely decorative, IMHO.al

X10
I've been in a couple of RV's with a fireplace heater and they sure do not put out a lot of heat at all. Lot of decorative wood, small opening and small heater. And you can't move it around!

IMHO what I have found to be the best/safest is a portable Ceramic heater. And I have tried them all!

I just bought a new REAL nice new ceramic heater this year.

I didn't like the small footprint those new tower ceramic ones have. First you have to put them on the tile no carpet or they wobble. And with dogs the only safe place was in the kitchen on the the tile floor. And then all that got heated where your feet! The cubes ones have to go on the counter or table.

Check this new model out. Been using it for 2 months now and I give it 2 thumbs up.

Nice and stable you can put it anywhere in an RV AND you can put it up against the wall, lever for directing the heat, cyclonic circulating and a filter.

Lasko


Find it at Walmart.

[Robbystone]

We put one in and love it. It's been in the upper 20's overnight and we haven't had the furnace on once. It runs 11.7 amps so using it and the microwave at the same time is a no go but it runs with the tv, computer, coffee pot, etc just fine.

[cpaulsen]

Bought one from HD online. Had a spot under the living room tv that was just a blank wood panel. Took it out and it was dead space. Looked online at HD and found one the size I was looking for. Put it in and trimmed it out and works great. It is 700 watt or 1500 watt and very quiet. Have been using for almost a year now and still works. I ran a dedicated 15 amp circuit on the 5ver.

[MrWizard]

For motors (not fractional HP) a breaker is typically rated more than the wire rating to allow for starting current (look at an RV AC unit). Same for capacitors, tap conductors and when rounding up to the next nearest standard breaker size. The NEC allows 15 amp receptacles to be supplied by a 20 amp circuit (table 210.21(B)(2)) which is a bit of an odd one, esp. when you could be using an extension cord with a multi-outlet end on it.

yes my a/c is on a 20amp breaker and it has 12ga 20amp wire on the circuit NOT 14ga 15amp wire

yes you can put 15amp receptacles on a 20amp breaker, BUT the wire is 12ga
its not about the load on one receptacle.. its about over heating the wire in the wall, a string of duplex outlets might have a total load of 18amps, so 12ga wire and 20amp breaker..14ga wire is used for ceiling lighting in many places.. but 12ga wire is used in the walls for the duplex outlets

and the TOPIC is/was electric heaters on duplex outlets.. NOT A/C compressors

hard wired motor circuits are another topic
the NEC is full of variations..depending on what is being wired
industrial..commercial..residential

in residential/RV duplex circuits.. the breaker will NOT be larger than the rating of the wire in circuit connecting breaker to the load

NO 20amp breakers on 14ga wire on duplex circuits

[myredracer]

MrWizard wrote:

but you have your statement backwards
it is Against code to use a breaker that is larger rating than the wire can handle

Yes, in most cases the breaker cannot be larger than the wire rating, but not always.

For motors (not fractional HP) a breaker is typically rated more than the wire rating to allow for starting current (look at an RV AC unit). Same for capacitors, tap conductors and when rounding up to the next nearest standard breaker size. The NEC allows 15 amp receptacles to be supplied by a 20 amp circuit (table 210.21(B)(2)) which is a bit of an odd one, esp. when you could be using an extension cord with a multi-outlet end on it.

10+ years ago, the rules in the CEC for fixed heating loads were changed and heating loads are now considered continuous compared to loads on receptacle circuits which vary and are unpredictable. In the CEC, you are now permitted to have a #14 wire and 20 amp breaker for a fixed heating load (max. 1800 watts @ 120V). Maybe this is one of those rules where the NEC and CEC are still different.

FWIW, some household appliances are occasionally rated higher than 1500 watts such an 1800 watt hair/blow dryer and induction countertop burner for ex. Whether they actually draw 15 amps at 120 volts might be a question though.

The bottom line is that any electrical mods. should follow the current edition of the electrical code (NEC or CEC) and devices, material and components and also portable appliances should have the appropriate safety certification like UL, CSA, etc.

[MrWizard]

The NEC (or CEC) should be referred to for wire and breaker size. The code may require a different wire rating than the breaker supplying the circuit ( for ex., 15A wire and 20A breaker). The code changed the requirement for heating circuits in recent year

yes saftey is a concern with ALL heating devices

but you have your statement backwards
it is Against code to use a breaker that is larger rating than the wire can handle

you Can Use a breaker Smaller than the wire rating.. 15amp breaker on 12ga 20amp wire

NO UL rated poratble device will use more than 1500w aka 12.5amps at 120v

hardwired mounted heaters come in a variety sizes and ratings

[Alan_Hepburn]

We bought a portable one from Home Depot for under $100. It fits perfectly on the doghouse in the front of the RV - late model Bounders on the Workhorse chassis have a doghouse cover that is about an inch or so higher than the surrounding floor, and completely flat, so it works perfectly. When driving it sits under the dinette table.

Is it practical? Well it can heat up our 36 foot Bounder and keep it cozy in temperatures in the teens, and it does add a bit of ambience when the rain is pouring down outside and you're longing cozily inside!

[Andymon]

We added a 1300watt fireplace under the tv/entertainment compartment. Took our time with all the trim and it looks like it came with the TT. We use the 110 outlet next to the tv. We turn it off if using the microwave or hair dryer. We love it and have never used the furnace.

[Merrykalia]

myredracer wrote:

Using a portable space heater in an RV has significant risks associated with it and they should not be left unattended, even when sleeping and should only be used for supplemental heating.
I realize that ceramic cube heaters and other portable space heaters are inexpensive and convenient, but safety should be the first concern.

That's the reason I suggested the Duraflame infared heater. The components are the same as is in MOST of the fireplaces but it is portable and can be aimed in any direction. I use ours as a table beside the couch, but it is facing outward, not toward the couch. It is by far, one of the safest heaters around.