Electric vs propane

[flyfishing48]

In most of the campground across the southwest, if you are on a weekely or monthly rate your electricity is metered and you pay for useage.
As I look at tomorrow's and the next days forecast, the highs are going to be 44 and 45 degrees on Mustang Island. The lows 34. So Iam pondering about using the electric fireplace to take the chill off our just run the furnace or both.
When we are not on metered electric we always run the fireplace.
Not knowing the rates for propane or electric at this campground, just wondering in a very GENERAL sense, what would the economics of this choice be.
I am sure someone on this forum has already calculated this. 25-35 mph north winds are sure going to be putting this to the test for a couple of days.....if the forecast is correct. :W

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

RustyJC wrote:
What is the hassle of removing, filling and replacing 40# (in our case) propane cylinders worth?

We have the CheapHeat system in our furnace, so making the choice is as simple as flipping the "Gas/Electric" switch in the control closet.

Rusty

YIP, you took the words....

Propane is for cooktop/oven and BBQ. Rarely have to fill the BIG tanks. We pay .15 KW/HR for electricity on our site.

CheapHeat is so nice!!! It's running right now.

Well we get to find out how nice Our Cheap Heat install is the first of the year. Just finished install (DYI) before coming to Ireland for Christmas, when we get back headed to the Oregon coast for a month of hosting.
The gas side works better than before, as the seal between the furnace and floor duct is better than just the old gas furnace.

You will love how well it works. When ordering our DRV is was VERY cold. Alicia turned on the CH in a unit that had inside temps of around 40. In just a few minutes it was very warm. That convinced me to order that option.

[rhagfo]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

RustyJC wrote:
What is the hassle of removing, filling and replacing 40# (in our case) propane cylinders worth?

We have the CheapHeat system in our furnace, so making the choice is as simple as flipping the "Gas/Electric" switch in the control closet.

Rusty

YIP, you took the words....

Propane is for cooktop/oven and BBQ. Rarely have to fill the BIG tanks. We pay .15 KW/HR for electricity on our site.

CheapHeat is so nice!!! It's running right now.

Well we get to find out how nice Our Cheap Heat install is the first of the year. Just finished install (DYI) before coming to Ireland for Christmas, when we get back headed to the Oregon coast for a month of hosting.
The gas side works better than before, as the seal between the furnace and floor duct is better than just the old gas furnace.

[sk734]

I think those tanks are getting heavier or I am getting older but they seem to be a pain to fill and lug around.:S

[Fizz]

John Burke wrote:
Here is a nice web site for figuring out fuel costs.

nepacrossroads.com/fuel-comparison-calculator.php

CLICK

Great site, thanks.
Looks like Coal is the way to go, bugger to haul around though 🙂

[John_Burke]

Here is a nice web site for figuring out fuel costs.

nepacrossroads.com/fuel-comparison-calculator.php

[Aridon]

I would want to avoid having to refill those propane bottles. They are going to go QUICKLY when running the furnace. That would make electric and even a decent premium on the rate my preferred option unless things were totally lopsided to one or the other. Like having a giant 500 gal propane tank on site I could fill once a year or electric costing 25 cents a KWH.

[Cummins12V98]

RustyJC wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Propane is for cooktop/oven and BBQ. Rarely have to fill the BIG tanks. We pay .15 KW/HR for electricity on our site.

CheapHeat is so nice!!! It's running right now.

Sandy uses the convection microwave for baking and an induction cooktop unit in lieu of the range's cooktop for pots and pans. With the CheapHeat system and the fireplace handling the heating duties, we've never refilled our propane tanks in the over 2.5 years we've owned this 5th wheel.

Rusty

We are stuck in the Stone Ages! The oven has been used 3-4 times in the 1.5+ years of fulltiming in this DRV. We have never used the convection option and have had one available since 11/11.

[flyfishing48]

I am in agreement with the changing out the cylinder camp is a factor.
I just checked at the office and at $.11 for electric and $14 to fill a 30lb tank....I am going to run both and not worry about it.
Actually I wasn't worried about the cost at all just curious about the difference.
Thanks for the discussion.

[pianotuna]

Since my propane tank is built in, I'm loath to use propane if I can do electric instead. I do recommend stand alone oil filled electric heaters, tucked away into otherwise wasted space. I use electric heated carpets for the floor, too.

I'd love to do a massive solar upgrade so I could run heaters from the panels/batteries/inverter.

[2oldman]

Me Again wrote:
So with a 130k investment in truck and trailer, I guess what ever makes me comfortable in the trailer it what I will do. 20/month one way or the other is not on my radar.

x2, and fuel, and tires and ....

I love my furnace. I couldn't care less how 'inefficient' it is.

[Me_Again]

So with a 130k investment in truck and trailer, I guess what ever makes me comfortable in the trailer is what I will do. 20/month one way or the other is not on my radar.

[Me_Again]

Furnace warms the bathroom well in the morning also. Hate cold seats!!!

😛

[CA_Traveler]

Me Again wrote:
"If one gallon of propane is equal to 27 kWh of electricity, ...

RV furnaces are about 70 percent efficient with 30 percent going out the exhaust. So a gallon of propane is closer to about 18KWh of electricity. Then do the calculations.

[tinner12002]

tempforce wrote:
use both, have your thermostat set for a comfortable temp. turn on the electric fireplace. if the temp drops below the gas thermo setting, the gas will kick on. r.v.'s are not known for being well insulated. also if your basement is heated with the propane vents. you will want to have the propane running most of the time..

Or you can run your elec heat and run the furnace fan to circulate air through your heated basement.