Heat Strip In A/C

DSDP Don wrote:
"malexander".....Good post on your results. Most people won't give an honest review after they've spent money on something. I installed a heat strip in my truck camper years ago. To me it was worthless. The little heat that it provided was overshadowed by having to run the A/C, hear the A/C and worry about this hot element in the roof possibly melting and catching fire.

floor heater works just as well if not better and is quiet.

lol. Thanks Don. Well, it was only $130. Chicken feed, compared to $78K for the rig. I certainly wouldn't have known, if I hadn't have tried it.

dougrainer wrote:

malexander wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Use the lowest possible fan speed when using a heat strip.

Shouldn't the low speed setting be "programmed" into the stat, when elec heat is selected?

That's the "normal" operation of a residential unit.

This is the difference between HOME(residential) and RV units. Not too many Home units have an actual Fan SPEED setting. Usually just ON and AUTO. Remember, these forums are about RV units. Doug

Sorry Doug.
I'm a heat & air guy, along with plumbing & electric. That's why I referred to residential units, I sort of "understand" them.

"malexander".....Good post on your results. Most people won't give an honest review after they've spent money on something. I installed a heat strip in my truck camper years ago. To me it was worthless. The little heat that it provided was overshadowed by having to run the A/C, hear the A/C and worry about this hot element in the roof possibly melting and catching fire.

A floor heater works just as well if not better and is quiet.

Hi malexander,

Mine has a simple switch on the thermostat for fan speed selection.

malexander wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Use the lowest possible fan speed when using a heat strip.

Shouldn't the low speed setting be "programmed" into the stat, when elec heat is selected?

That's the "normal" operation of a residential unit.

This is the difference between HOME(residential) and RV units. Not too many Home units have an actual Fan SPEED setting. Usually just ON and AUTO. Remember, these forums are about RV units. Doug

pianotuna wrote:
Use the lowest possible fan speed when using a heat strip.

Shouldn't the low speed setting be "programmed" into the stat, when elec heat is selected?

That's the "normal" operation of a residential unit.

Use the lowest possible fan speed when using a heat strip.

You all answered my question.:)
I did in fact install them in both of my a/c's. My a/c's are ducted in the ceiling in my 2007 Bounder.
I really couldn't tell if they were actually heating or not, I really didn't feel much heat coming out of the registers/vents. Y'all confirmed what I was thinking. Too much airflow from the a/c fan, and not really a "hot enough" element.
The installation instructions, BTW, actually say they aren't intended to be "furnaces", but as they call them "chill-chasers".
I'm in the hvac business and am able to buy this "stuff" wholesale. So, if $130 (that's what I paid for both strips) will save me a bit of propane, I'm OK with it.

We had a heat strip in a popup. If it was 60 degrees out side. It would warm the pup right up to 61, and the air would freeze you. SO IMOP, and my experience. they are a waste of money. Get a space heater.

YMMV
I am heating 3300 sq-ft house with 60kBTU furnace even on 30'sF nights here.
My conversion has polyurethane foam sprayed all over metal body and 5600BTU heater is all I need for late season camping.
But don't try to survive with small electric heater in coach with fiberglass insulation and unsealed holes around plumbing and electrical.