That heating will cause the outlet contacts to oxidize and increase their resistance. If you really do draw 15 to 20 amps continuously from an outlet, it will begin to heat up. We had a special outlet wired in our 5th wheel to the breaker panel, that is parallel to the A/C unit (on the same breaker). I hope the mfg. Before choosing and buying a heater to use in your RV, I strongly recommend reading my article titled “Is It Safe to Use a Space Heater in an RV?”. The basic difference between an RV furnace and a vent-free propane heater is this: RV furnace – Uses a lot of electricity, uses propane inefficiently, brings fresh air into the rig (because it’s vented) Vent-free propane heater – Doesn’t use electricity, burns propane efficiently, uses up oxygen in the RV So what can we do to avoid electrical outlet overload and heat our RVs safely with electricity? Using Electric Heaters in Your RVThis article was written by Kirk Wood and published in Escapees Magazine in 2005.. Fire hazard is always an overriding concern in an RV. How significant is the difference? Which is more expensive to use for heating: propane or electric? Pros. Am I making a mistake? Using an RV to go camping is one of the best ways of camping. Anything that draws 15 amps continuously needs at least a 14-gauge extension cord, and possibly a 12-gauge cord to be totally safe. The CheapHeat system is specially designed to be able to run continuously as part of your RV’s furnace, and since it’s hard-wired into your circuit panel there’s no electrical outlet in the path to overheat. Do you keep your gray tank open or closed when hooked up? A 1,500-watt space heater on a 120-volt outlet is 1,500/120 = 12.5 amperes. Are Space Heaters Safe? See what I read for fun (really)…, We will be staying in a RV park this winter that charges for electical use. That should be electrically safe for extended periods. Reduce your risk: safety guidelines for using a portable space heater in an RV. We guard your privacy. We do use an electric heater in our fifth wheel to supplement our propane furnace. Your email address will not be published. Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. What this means is that when the air in your RV falls below the temperature on the thermostat, hot air is forced through the vents and into the living space. – Ray. Is that possible for you? Save my name and email in browser cookies for the next time I comment so I won't have to enter that information again. We occasionally update our terms and privacy policies pages so if you have not read them lately, we encourage you to do so. For this reason, many RVers turn to space heaters. At first blush you may think not, since it does cost them more in their monthly electric bill compared to everyone heating with propane. Are any of these technologies more efficient or safer than the others? Keep children away from the space heater; Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Some people connect their electric heater on a Thermocube. Which leaves 30 amps per leg or 60 amps @ 120-VAC to run the rest of the RV. I turn it off when we leave or go to bed. This type of space heater can be used safely, as long as you observe all the safety precautions. This is a special two-part article on a topic that’s not only seasonal, it’s very important to your safety, both in your home and your RV. That said, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reminds us that space heaters account for 1/3 of all home fires and 4 out of 5 home heating fire … There are some factors that you must consider before purchasing an RV heater. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. So if your RV’s furnace goes out these electric heaters are a great alternative. (See my comment from Chris 11/5, above) The basic charge is $0.16 kw/hr for 246 kw/hrs/mo. since everyone was worried about her using them to heat her house. You can get more information about this product at http://www.rvcomfortsystems.com. Tuesday, December 22, 2020, Fact-checking, ethics & corrections policy. To stay safe, you should use a 2000W generator. However, and most users don’t realize this, a thermal circuit breaker is only rated for 80% of its capacity for continuous use. Are electric space heaters really dangerous? When running the heater, keep it away from pets and kids in a spot where there isn’t a lot of foot traffic. Never. My Review of the Mr. Heater Big Buddy MH18B. Portable electric space heaters in an RV are a really bad idea for a whole variety of reasons and should be avoided. For years we have ran an electric heater when we are home and up but I did worry about overloading the MH electrical since it is a 2000. We try to remember to turn off the heater first, but you know how that goes. Never. Of course you still have to avoid placing flammable materials too close to the heater itself. So, having overheat and tip-over protection built-in, as well as a 12-hour automatic shutoff feature and a heavy duty power cord, that gave us comfort in knowing we can use the space heater while not attending to it and while sleeping. I make sure I only have one heater on any one circuit. A hydronic heat system runs on diesel or electricity and can be found in high-end motorhomes. To our readers: We NEVER have or will sell reader's data. Even most electricians don’t realize this, but those numbers are published in every tech sheet on circuit breakers. Thanks for the article. I constantly monitor the outlets to look for discoloration, should the connections become loose and raise the electrical resistance. © 2020 RVTravel.com – All rights Reserved. This little heater works by using vortex air circulation without intense heat, similar to a furnace. Keep in mind this does take longer to heat up a room than other types of space heaters that blast out really hot heat. Visit NoShockZone.org for more electrical safety tips. No spam, just interesting, helpful information. Please make sure your smoke detectors are working, both in your home and your RV. The use of electric heaters is very common in the RV community and problems caused by them are pretty rare, largely due to improvements in such heaters and the education of users. Tune in next week. At 1500 watts, that’s pulling 12.5 amps on a 15 amp circuit. I think they are incredibly dangerous, no matter if they are UL listed and approved. If you want to edit a comment click the gear icon to the right of your comment and choose edit, or delete. This unit uses propane as its main source of power.The first thing that I like about the Camco Olympian is its capability to heat up my RV fast. First, if you need to use any space heater at all, use it on a low-wattage setting. RV Daily Tips. The Camco Olympian Wave 3 LP Gas Catalytic Heater is the most efficient RV propane heater on this list. There are several reason you may want to consider an Electric Rv space heater. If you decide to use a catalytic heater inside your RV, follow these tips very closely: 1. However, I hate to do that because that outlet strip is exposed to the elements, and any extra connection in an extension cable is one more failure point. It also covers really wide areas and is best for your RV. That amount of current should be safe from overloading an outlet even for extended run times. The built in batteries are rated to last 10 years. I’ll be watching for more on this. We do have a ceramic tower heater we run in the hallway pointing to our bedroom to keep the air warmer and it runs on the lower setting. By continuing to use our site, you consent to accepting cookies. Mr. Heater Buddy is by far the most popular propane space heater for RV use. They can be mounted on the wall or used as portable space heaters. No anonymous comments. Chris. Using a tester I find it uses 1/2 the power of a forced fan heater which adds up to big savings in $$. No Propane, No Heat: Once you’ve exhausted your propane you have no heat and turning on the generator or connecting it to a power source wouldn’t make it work. ), How We Prepare Our RV For Cold Weather Living, How to Stop Condensation in an RV: A Comprehensive Guide. Radiant heaters are more expensive than space heaters and still use electricity, which can be a problem in some cases. You aren’t allowed to plug an extension cord rated for 15 amperes directly into an outlet with a 30 amp circuit breaker on it. Make sure … RVelectricity – Are there 150-amp pedestals? Always follow these rules (taken from the NFPA guidelines) when using any space heater, no matter where you are: Keep flammable items at least 3 feet away from the space heater. Never use an extension cord; Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed; RV Space Heater FAQs How do I choose the RV space heater that’s the right size for me? The Vornado RV space heater comes recommended amongst RVers as one of the best electric heaters for an RV. When you leave, turn it off to save energy. I was wondering why heating elements were not available on either of our two roof AC units so they could be used for electrical heat when 50 amp service was available. I’m mention this for educational purposes and in no way recommending modifyiing the RV LP gas lines without consulting a certified professional. I see that the manufacturer has a heating element option for some of the units. That suggests we can divide the wattage of the appliance by the voltage and find out how many amps it draws. It increases to $0.25 kw/hr thereafter. $99.11 $ 99. So if you plan to heat your RV electrically, then do it correctly with a hard-wired heating system that’s designed from scratch for the job. ): Why surge protectors and GFCI outlets don’t mix. How to know if this is happening? But the secondary hazard is flammable material in contact with the heater element itself. You must consider the size of the heater in relation to the space available. Only use a catalytic heater that is specifically designed for indoor use. ), 10 Farmhouse Style RV Makeovers to Inspire You, RV Bathroom Storage & Organization Ideas and Accessories, 12 Painting Mistakes Made by RV Owners (and How to Avoid Them), 11 Space-saving Sleeper Sofas | Furniture for RVs, 9 Tips for Painting RV Walls and Cabinets, My Favorite RV Hack: A No-Damage Adhesive for Hanging Things on Walls, The Ultimate Guide to Painting Your RV Interior. Approximately one-third of all house fires nationwide happen during the cold home-heating months between December and February. Running an Electric Heater Underneath an RV, “Is It Safe to Use a Space Heater in an RV?”, full time RVers in a climate with winter temperatures, several models of fireplace style insert heaters online, RV Owners Who Replaced Their Dining Booths, RV Sofa Bed Replacement Ideas (With Pictures), RV Window Makeover Ideas (With Pictures! And we also ensure that any third parties we contract with either anonymize your data or have strict privacy policies in place that are aligned with ours. If you are worried about the power supply in your RV, the Camco Olympian will heat up your space without consuming a single volt of electricity. While this seems like a good idea at first, from an electrical code standpoint it’s a clear violation. Safety is a big concern for us while using electric space heaters in an RV. City Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven wrote in an email that the power strip overheated and ignited combustibles in the first-floor living room. The fire inspector is still investigating the exact cause, but her co-workers said she used electric space heaters extensively in her house. An electric heater could be a good alternative. However, you could plug this dedicated extension cord into the 20-amp outlet on the pedestal and be code legal. And that resistance will increase the heating effect, which causes more resistance, which leads to something we engineers call cascade failure. This website utilizes some advertising services. The great advantage to this heater is that it does not require any propane. For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here. Be sure to answer the poll at the bottom of this story where we ask about whether you do or do not use a space heater in your RV. Even though this is only intended to be used as a secondary heat source, it works great in a motorhome as it provides 4,200 to 8,000 BTU. With the CRAPPY quality that is being manufactured in most things these days, using one of these FIRE HAZARDS is just asking for trouble.. DON’T USE THEM. It will allow you enjoy the serene snowy atmosphere while remaining comfortable. Space heaters can be a quick way to heat up a room. FREE Shipping. I almost never run them on 1500 watts, I go for the 750 and let them run over time, if I want to warm up the RV quick I use the LP heater. On the current draw side that should be safe, as long as you also monitor the plug contacts for discoloration, the first sign of overheating. No spam, just interesting, helpful information. Here’s what safeelectricity.org says about them. Additionally, this heater heats water instead of an RV hot water tank and can protect the RV’s pipes. This is about electric space heaters and how dangerous they can be if not used correctly. That’s a reasonable plan. Why Not Just Use My RV’s Heater. Point the heater at the bed and let it run overnight. Is their any reason why heat could not or should not be provided by a roof ac unit? Videos I’ve watched show RVs being totally engulfed in flames within seconds of a fire starting. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers. If you are not turning the propane furnace on, you have to use an alternative heater to be the main heat source in the RV. Do they meter the usage? Apart from heating, portable space heaters are not only safe but they also help you in avoiding the damage to your appliances that can be caused by the freezing weather. I can think of few things more terrifying than a fire in an RV. 12-volt Blower Fans: The fans of the furnace run on 12-volt electric, so using battery power is a factor to consider when boondocking. Here’s the basics from an article in Home Power Magazine: Propane contains 91,547 Btu per gallon. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It’s very safe and great for use in small spaces like vans and can even be used outdoors. RV Electricity – Electric space heater safety, Part 1. You can either use it as a free-standing space heater or wall mount it to be used as your main heating source. The only connection between the CheapHeat™ and the existing propane furnace is a simple wiretap on the fan motor conductor. And an 1,800-watt space heater works out to 1,800/120 = 15 amperes. I believe the highest setting is 1800 watts. Second, if you really need that much electrical heat (and it’s certainly cheaper than heating with propane you pay for yourself), then the CheapHeat product is a safe and effective solution. According to CSA America (the RV Furnace certification group) it DOES NOT effect the ANSI certification of the propane furnace. It employs a tungsten-heating coil powered by 120-volt 30-amp or 50-amp 120/240-volt shore power to provide the electric heat. Portable electric space heaters in an RV are a really bad idea for a whole variety of reasons and should be avoided. While your furnace will certainly do the job of heating up your living space, it will also drain your propane tanks and likely use electricity at the same time to circulate that hot air. I’ll cover those types next week, but never run any portable space heater unattended, ever. That hot air is created using a flame fed by propane and forced out of the vents in your rig by a blower fan. This outlet is marked ‘For Heater Only’. So that 20 amp circuit breaker is really only able to supply 16 amps of current continuously without tripping. Getting a sufficient size generator is a must if you want to go RVing without any limitations. Two nonfunctioning, 9-volt battery smoke alarms were found in the debris, according to DeHaven. If propane costs $2.40, then electric resistance heat is cheaper if grid electricity costs 10 cents per KWH or less. We found a small tower heater that has two settings – 1500 and 750 watts. An RV heater is a forced air heater. Chris. Mike – I was finally able to get the kw/hr rate at the RV Park where we’ll be staying. Update. At the very least you should probably add an outlet strip with its own 15 amp circuit breaker on the 30-amp adapter then use it to feed your 14 gauge extension cord. wired this properly per code. I use a radiant heater. Called the CheapHeat™ System, this unit is mounted directly downstream of the existing propane furnace. I did research and bought a 14 gauge extension cord hooking it up to the 30 amp plug using the pigtail and running it through the window. This space heater should be your second level of heating. The size of this ceramic space heater makes it extremely portable, so moving it around the RV is a breeze as is heating up any room. A quick calculation of 750 watts divided by 120 volts equals 6.25 amps. Only 20 left in stock - order soon. You have 24 hours to edit a comment. And never put two space heaters on a single outlet or extension cord. A digital controlled heater will not turn on if using a Thermocube. Thanks a million. If you can’t afford a smoke alarm, contact your fire department to see if they have a program where they can supply you with one at no charge. I use our fireplace to break the chill and occasionally leave it on the low setting for extended periods on colder nights. Be aware that 1800 watts of power draw for an extended period is really dangerous since that’s around 15 amps of current which can cause overheating in a standard outlet. That’s when things go wrong and fires start. My husband refuses to put a blanket over his feet (he sits in the chair in front of the door) and never knows when they are cold (has Alzheimer’s). A typical furnace will convert about 85% of that to heat, which means that 1 gallon of propane provides about as much heat as 23 kilowatt-hours of electricity. But many times the low setting is 600 watts which works out to 5 amps. And don’t use extension cords. We guard your privacy. Space heaters cause 25,000 home fires a year, and 6,000 emergency room visits, according to the Harvard University Environmental Health & Safety group. If your catalytic heater is a portable model, make sure that it has tip over protection, so it will shut down any time it’s not in an upright position. I personally stick with name brand units like Holmes or Honeywell as I feel they are made better and safer. In next weeks column I’ll be covering the differences between coil, ceramic, oil filled and radiant heaters. And an 1,800-watt space heater works out to 1,800/120 = 15 amperes. Why Space Heaters Makes Sense When the temperature drops, you turn to your RV’s furnace. 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