CheapHeat System?

I totally agree. But if you can't stay at a Wal-Mart you should at least get free heat for your money. I'm not very impressed with the whole Cheap Heat thing to begin with. For a lot less money you can get a couple electric space that will put out the same amount of heat. Looks like another overpriced gimmick to me. I wonder how many advertising dollars you need to spend to get a write up like that?

B.O.

The problem with using portable electric heaters is that you are not getting heat to the underbelly if needed due to outside temperature.

"I was shocked to read the authors proclaim even additional savings when in camp grounds where electric charges are not metered, but included in the site fee."

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something here. Campsites that include electric in the price? It seems to me much-much-much more electricity is used in the Summer by a LOT more people camping by running their air-conditoners, then the few who winter camp and use electric heat?

What's the difference? The price of the campsite is factors in the use of electric, for summer months and winter months.

As far as the CheapHeat product? I don't think it really matters what one uses. Basic physics ... Only so much heat can be produced by only so much "fuel", and that's it! The difference is in the price one pays for the device that changes electricity to heat and how efficient it does that.

DutchmenSport wrote:
"I was shocked to read the authors proclaim even additional savings when in camp grounds where electric charges are not metered, but included in the site fee."

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something here. Campsites that include electric in the price? It seems to me much-much-much more electricity is used in the Summer by a LOT more people camping by running their air-conditoners, then the few who winter camp and use electric heat?

Ditto. And most people who don't use CheapHeat are using small heaters of some kind which is going to have the same electrical draw/usage. Heck, lots of campers are coming with built-in electric fireplaces.

Stand alone space heaters
2, 3 A/Cs
2, 3 Heat pumps
Washer/dryers
2, 3, 4 TVs
Microwave/Convection ovens
Fireplace
Residential fridge
Electric WH/Fridge

CheapHeat Device

Hummmmmmmmmmmm :H

If it works properly and depending on the cost of installation, it looks like a good way to distribute electric heat through your whole forced air system rather than just one or two locations with space heaters.

Campgrounds will do what they need to do to cover their costs.

Guess I'm guilty - we run our heat pumps whenever possible because:

A - I don't pay for the electricity based on consumption
B - The heat pumps on this unit are super quiet


I had the cheapheat idea in concept several years ago, and got talked out of it by a supposed expert that said it couldn't be done. That could be my patent now - power to the guy, he stepped where I wouldn't, and they look like nice retrofits. The only flaw I see is the output does not match the burner (that's why he slows down the fan), so although it heats the pipes underneath, I don't think it could keep up well enough in the temperatures that would actually threaten the pipes. I may be wrong, but just a hunch.

Guys,

Most everyone uses AC in the summer, so the expense is shared amoung all.

The CheapHeat was promoted as a way to be a free loader, a way to have others pay for their excessive electric use.

Electricity is not free, it must be paid for by someone. Metering for over night stays is not realistic. So if they are finding ways to use more than their fair share, they are stealing.

My gripe is with the magazine for advocating this theft.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Stand alone space heaters
2, 3 A/Cs
2, 3 Heat pumps
Washer/dryers
2, 3, 4 TVs
Microwave/Convection ovens
Fireplace
Residential fridge
Electric WH/Fridge

CheapHeat Device

Hummmmmmmmmmmm :H

Run all that other stuff and you are golden. Use a central electric heat system and somehow you are a thief.:h

iawoody2 wrote:
The problem with using portable electric heaters is that you are not getting heat to the underbelly if needed due to outside temperature.

All three of the systems CheapHeat sells are furnace replacements/ supplements - with provide all the benefits of ducted heat as do propane furnaces.

The Ductless system is for additional heat for Suburban NT12, NT16 and NT20 furnaces which have no ducts - popups and truck campers mostly use this system.

The one big downside I see is the HT-37 system for 50Amp service trailers. If you are connected to 30Amp - the heater will not heat at all. You must be connected to 50Amp.