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Heat source when away for the day

starcraft69
Explorer
Explorer
I am wondering what heat source you use to keep your rig warm when out sightseeing for the day? We have electric fireplace and standard propane central heat, plus ceramic space heater. All sources are thermostat controlled. I am more concerned of safety than efficiency, I'm comfortable with both I think.

1.Fireplace electric

2.Ceramic space heater

3.Central heat propane
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39 REPLIES 39

rv2go
Explorer
Explorer
This is why I like the basement heat/air unit in my Winnebago. I just set the thermostat to the desired temp and go. If it gets too cold outside for the heat pump, the gas furnace will come on and maintain the set temp.
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pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi,

I heat 100% electrically. I use oil filled heaters and electric heated carpets. I keep the furnace turned on as a back up in case power should fail.

One needs to be cautious about all heaters.
Regards, Don
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nineoaks2004
Explorer
Explorer
We use a small ceramic heater turned low..It will shut off if turned over, and it does keep the trio of Chihuahuas warm.
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Boxerslave
Explorer
Explorer
We had an electric fireplace and the motor that makes the fake flames dance quit. Stupid thing like that somehow drives me nuts. Had same fireplace in the bedroom that we never use so I swapped the two. When I pulled out the living room one the wires running to the heater element were so overheated that two inches of insulation were burnt off. Should mention I am a liscensed auto tech of 40 years and that fireplace was close to igniting. Dave PS We were fulltimers and used the fireplace a lot.

coolmom42
Explorer II
Explorer II
gbopp wrote:
coolmom42 wrote:

Fireman are adamantly against them because people do stupid things with them.

Same as years ago when kerosene heaters were popular. The heaters were safe. The people using them didn't have any common sense.


Yep.

I still have a kerosene heater for my emergency backup heat at home. It heats my 1200 sf house to about 65 in the areas with plumbing, even at 0 degrees outside.

Like anything else, you just have to use common sense with it.
Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board

westend
Explorer
Explorer
I sometimes use a small Honeywell electric heater positioned on a cookie sheet. It has a working tip over switch but should it tip over and run, it will still be off any combustible surface. I have all new residential receptacles in boxes and the kitchen is all wired to 20 amps.
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rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
Billinwoodland wrote:
All of my fireman buddies are adamantly against unattended space heaters.


X10

No space heaters left on unattended in my RV.
And I turn the furnace off also.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

Halmfamily
Explorer
Explorer
We either leave the fireplace on or the electric heater on the island.
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atreis
Explorer
Explorer
I prefer to use the furnace as I rarely camp with hookups, but I think any of the options will work fine so long as they're placed in safe locations with nothing that could catch fire too close.
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Lynnmor
Explorer
Explorer
I wouldn't worry about a ceramic heater as long as it is well placed away from anything that can burn. That also includes any items that could fall or blow down.
In addition, those cheap, self-contained outlets are something that I don't trust with a high wattage appliance. I would, (and did) replace the one needed with a quality house type outlet.

gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
coolmom42 wrote:

Fireman are adamantly against them because people do stupid things with them.

Same as years ago when kerosene heaters were popular. The heaters were safe. The people using them didn't have any common sense.

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Just like our all gas house furnace on with T-stat set a bit lower like 65 degrees. The furnace is the safest method, next best is Cummins Cheap Heat, hard wired electric! :B
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Not applicable
If it's below 30-32F we leave the furnace on 66F if we plan to be away more than 4 hours or so, otherwise we leave nothing on.

lgarcia
Explorer
Explorer
We turn everything off. Turning on DH's oxygen concentrator upon return warms up the place so that we rarely use the heat anyway.

If the dog is staying alone in the TT, then a fleece blanket for her to curl up on is ok during the day.
-Laura
2016 Shasta Oasis 18BH (specs and floor plan in profile)
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Us_out_West
Explorer
Explorer
Here in Casa Grande we like to use the AZ sun during the day since we always have the door side looking South.

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