RV fireplace vs 1500 watt electric heater

[sljkansas]

We are sitting around the fire at home and started talking about RV fireplaces and weather they are any better than a 1500 watt cube heater, We have the space ( just lose a shelf and have to move the woofer. For those that have both,what do you think?

[ol_Bombero-JC]

sljkansas wrote:
Thanks for the comments , unless DW pushes for it I'll use the cube.

May take some effort to trump "ambiance".

Good luck..;)

~

[Jim_Shoe]

I don't RV in the winter unless I'm already in Florida, but at home, the builders built a wall directly over the heat ducts in the basement, producing no heat in my bedroom. I use a portable heater designed for milk cow barns. In the winter, cattle hate a farmer with cold hands. It has settings for 1300 and 1500 watts. It isn't pretty, but it does the job in a small space. Cost $40. One is small enough to take along in my 'C' in the future.

[JamesBr]

First RV didnt have one, used a cube. 5er had it, benifit is its there, no need to pack it up, not in the middle of the floor, but I dont think I would spend the money to add one over a cube.

[wintersun]

It really comes down to aesthetics and convenience and available space. The built-in fireplace is more convenient as all you have to do is flip a switch. It takes up interior storage space and in many RV's that is already in short supply.

A portable unit can be pulled out and plugged in as needed and put in an outside storage space when it is not needed. It can be smaller and take less space and we like that we can heat up only a part of the camper.

I would expect that the majority of RV fireplaces are installed in large 5th wheel trailers and few in other types of RV's.

[ken56]

Check out Vornado brand heaters. We also have both a fireplace and stand alone heaters and use both as needed. We have a 30 ft. TT and that Vornado heats it quite well and I can move it to where I need it. Only use the fireplace occasionally and not all night like the Vornado.

[JJnLilly]

Our '11 Greystone came with a fireplace and it was nice. When we parted company with it, we found a small electric portable 'Franklin' style for our Wildcat. It had a 'flame' for ambiance and it had two heat settings. Our Open Range came with a fireplace and in reality would rather have the Franklin than the built it. At least with a portable unit you can move it where you want and need it.

[craftyfox]

We have a portable fireplace heater..looks and heats like an installed fireplace but we can move it anywhere..in fact, we bring it in the house when we are home during the winter. Love it and still have the extra storage space where the installed fireplace would have been.

[SDcampowneroper]

if your decision is about efficiency, heat for cost, then choose a stand alone heater. A KW of electricity in any type of resistance heater produces 5120 btu's of heat.
My DW prefers comfort and the ambiance of candles over a fake fire that loses heat through lesser insulated spaces that house it.

[Ramair]

We have both fireplace and a space heater and use them both at times. Fireplaces are nice and add a warm and comfort of home feeling. You don't have to have the heat option on with the fireplace which is another benefit, fireplace, movie, and a glass of wine what could be better...

[ed-myrna]

Yes the cube heater is less expensive, but they are noisy. The fire place units are quiet. It that's important to you.

[TucsonJim]

Our fireplace was part of the rig as delivered. We love the location and heat it produces. However, if it wasn't part of the package, I'd have purchased a portable heater.

[wa8yxm]

All electric heaters are 100% efficient, I know some claim to be better than others but when it comes to heat, ALL ELECTRIC HEATERS convert watts to BTU's at exactly the same rate

So a 1500 watt fire place or a 1500 watt ceramic cube, Same amount of heat.

Fireplace looks nicer.

[ed-myrna]

The fire place is a lot quieter then the cube heater.

[myredracer]

Here is a post I did a few days ago in the TT forum about space heaters that may help you decide. heater types?

Basically, for safety reasons, a portable space heater (cube heater or otherwise) should only be used for supplemental heating and not for continuous use and should not be left unattended, even when sleeping. This is what safety officials in various gov. and other orgs. state.

If there is a suitable location and the required safety clearances, I'd go with the fireplace. There are some wall fan heaters that can be used and also a kickspace heater. Wiring can be run through ceiling spaces, in interior walls and through cabinetry if needed in most cases.