Heating RV problems.

[Fla904]

Does the RV ac unit also heat the RV? When I put the thermostat to heat it only blows out cool air? I'm a not turning something on?

[mlts22]

In my experience, I've found heat strips in the A/C pretty much worthless, mainly because they are trying to blast warm air down on you, which tends not to work well, especially with the heat exchanger nearby.

I like using the on board propane heater because on some models, it will blow warm air on the tanks, which helps in light freezes. However, above freezing, I like a good old fashioned fan-forced electric heater like a Vornado, which doesn't make hot air, but lots of warm air, evenly heating the rig.

Barring that, I have been tempted to use a Big Buddy heater just as a way to supplement the furnace, so the furnace only has to come on in the wee hours of the morning, saving battery. Of course the answer to this are some solar panels long term.

[sparky3542]

All the years I have been camping, I have only used the on board propane for heat one time. I use an electric heater when camping. Why use my gas when you can use their electricity for no extra cost. I really use the propane when traveling to keep refrigerator cold.

[pianotuna]

I added a 2nd thermostat for just the propane furnace so I can run the heat strip and furnace at the same time.

[Grandpa_Joe]

We have a 2011 Sunseeker which has an optional 15K BTU AC which also has a heat pump function which works pretty well, especially if the site has electric. It was an option but glad we did get it.

[Jayco-noslide]

Usually a furnace seperate from the AC but same thermostat. Have to make sure the switch is on "heat" and that the thermostat is set higher that actual room temp. The fan runs a half minute or so before the furnace burner kicks on. Or, of course the furnace simply may be malfunctioning, not igniting the burner.

[tatest]

Maybe, maybe not. There are A/Cs with heat strips, A/Cs with heat pumps, and A/Cs that have no heating mode.

Mine has a heat pump, uses a single thermostat to control A/C, heat pump, and furnace; same as my house.

Thermostat at the house lets me set "Auto" and the system uses the A/C in cooling or heating mode, switches to the furnace when the heat pump can't keep up. RV is not so simple. RV has "Cool" "Electric Heat," and "Gas Heat." On "Electric Heat" it runs the heat pump until the heat pump can no longer stabilize the set temperature, then it turns on the furnace. Heat pump blows out the ceiling, furnace through vents near the floor.

If you don't have a heat pump, you might have a very low output heat strip running on the "Electric Heat" position. That will blow through the A/C outlets. Since I don't have this, I don't know if it will switch to the furnace when the heat strip can't keep up, or if you might have to manually switch it.

[rockhillmanor]

First of all there is a delay on the thermostat BEFORE it kicks the ac or heat on. And it is a long time on some Rv's. I swear mine is over 4 minutes! To this day sometimes I think the heat or ac is broke when it doesn't come on right away. :R

And if you have been clicking it on and off you need to stop and let it reset before you try it again.

Second, check you do not have the second lever on the thermostat on 'fan only'. Needs to be on 'auto' for ac and heat to work. Been there done that oops too.

[midnightsadie]

open the propane valve slow, then go light the stove, if you open the valve real fast you could trip the safty.

[ksg5000]

It's unlikely your Class C is setup so your AC can heat your RV.

As others have said - make sure your propane tank is turned on and light your stove top to insure than propane is flowing and air has been purged. That resolves most "non start" issues with gas furnace. If that doesn't resolve the problem re-post.

[enblethen]

I have a heat strip, don't use it very much as it doesn't give off much heat.
We carry a portable milk barn heater. We use this when we have shore power. Yes, you could run off genset, but you have the noise and it burns fuel.
We use the LP furnace while not connected to shore power.

[pconroy328]

If you're willing to plug in for heat, then I'd toss in a small, electric heater before I'd bother with a possible but unlikely heat strip in AC unit.

In the winter here, I've used one of those $39 Oil Filled Radiator electric heaters in ours. Works very well.

[Fla904]

pulsar wrote:

Fla904 wrote:
Does the RV ac unit also heat the RV? When I put the thermostat to heat it only blows out cool air? I'm a not turning something on?

It would help if we knew what RV you have. (If you put that in your signature or on your profile page, one could look it up, if you didn't include it in your post.

As already stated, not all RV's come equipped with air conditioners that will also heat - that is, not all are heat pumps or have heat strips.

Perhaps the thermostat, when set for heat, should turn on the propane furnace. Let us know how you turn on the propane furnace.

Tom

1998 ford Shasta Cheyenne with a dometic ac unit. The previous owner was a older lady and was paranoid about having propane so she disconnected the lines for it. All I have to do is re connect the lines and it should work fine but was hoping I could just plug in or use the generator for heat.

[tenbear]

Mine has separate AC and furnace, both controlled by their own thermostat. The heater works off propane.

[John_S2]

When I bought my 99 Coachman it did not have a heat strip in the AC unit on the roof but I had one installed. Now when I put the dial onto heat I get enough warm air blowing from the unit to take the chill out of the air in the mornings without having to put the furnace on. If you have electric it is nice to have.

John S