It can be challenging to preserve a comfortable temperature inside your campervan throughout the winter months. Therefore, if you are planning a vacation outside of the summer, it is a good idea to purchase a new campervan heater for winter van life.
In this article, we will answer all your inquiries regarding camper van heaters. We will also discuss which one is best for you and your camper van.
What Kind of Heater Will Be Best in My Camper?
You must consider the fuel source for your van before selecting a new heater. You can use wood, electric, diesel, gasoline, or gas. Your van’s heating system needs to function in line with it. For instance, having a diesel heater option in your camper will save you from building an additional tank if your camper operates on diesel. Similarly, using an automobile battery to power an electric heater would quickly empty it. Therefore, electric heating is only appropriate if you can access a primary power source. We’ll now go through some of the options so you’ll get a clearer idea.
The Four Main Types of Campervan Heaters
You can choose the ideal air heater for your van depending on your preferred camping location and travel style. To help you proceed, below is a summary of the four most common styles of heaters for vans:
1. Gas Campervan Heaters
It will be convenient if you choose a gas heater as you’ll already have the fuel on board. How? Your gas-powered appliances, like a stove or refrigerator. It should be mentioned, nonetheless, that compared to campers with other campervan heating options, those with gas heaters provide a lot more safety rules. Also, not all gas heaters are meant to be used in enclosed places, so before you buy, make sure to review the manufacturer’s specs.
You can use a propane heater. However, ensuring the heater is built correctly is crucial to avoiding toxic odors and gas leaks. Set up a carbon monoxide detector in the van and make sure its batteries are functioning for safety’s sake and your personal health.
2. Petrol and Diesel Campervan Heaters
If a gas heater is not suitable for your motorhome, several options for a van are available, such as heaters that run on gasoline or diesel. If your RV has an internal combustion engine, a gasoline heater will function. If it has a chinese diesel engine, it will function by connecting to the main fuel tank.
A burner that burns either gasoline or diesel heats a heat exchanger, and a fan circulates the heated air throughout the car. Fuel can be purchased for gasoline and diesel heaters anywhere, whether you’re traveling domestically or overseas. This is a major benefit. You are refueling your heater each time you fill up your camper van.
3. Electric Campervan Heaters
An electric heater could be the solution if you wish to be more environmentally conscious. That’s because it emits zero carbon dioxide. The drawback is that the cost of operating electric heaters is typically higher than gas, diesel, or petrol heaters. Electric heaters are not energy-efficient and require 230 volts of main power. Your battery would run out very quickly if you tried to run the heater at any time, even if your van has an inverter built in.
An electric campervan heater is only practical if you consistently book accommodations with electrical systems. Another advantage is that electric heaters offer a nearly immediate supply of heat. A heater with a fan guarantees that the heat output is swiftly dispersed throughout the van.
4. Wood Burning Heaters
In the camper world, wood-burning heaters are starting to gain popularity. That being stated, the oldest and most conventional heating technique uses wood-burning heaters. A wood burning stove is required for that, which should be both sufficiently large and compact for a campervan.
Naturally, affordable and environmentally friendly fuel is widely available. If you have a saw or axe to chop up fallen wood, you can even collect fuel for nothing.
What Should You Consider Before Installing Heating In Your Campervan?
Before you begin the process of installing heating in your campervan, there are a few essential items to consider. Here is a simple explanation that can assist you in understanding:
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The Size of Your Campervan
When selecting the best heating system for your campervan, consider the entire area of the space you plan to heat. Once you have calculated the overall volume, finding a heating source that can effectively heat the area is necessary. An inadequate heater cannot raise the temperature comfortably while heating a wide space. Similarly, it will be a waste of resources to use a strong heater to dry heat a small area.
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Finding Replacement Fuel Sources
Since campervans are transportable, choosing the finest heating system to install in your campervan will definitely depend on where you can get replacement fuel when traveling. Fortunately, most nations have the necessary infrastructure in place to provide dry wood, diesel, and gas for road trips. Having said that, it could be a good idea to look up online the ease of obtaining replacement fuels in the nations you want to visit.
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Fuel costs
Every heating system needs fuel of some kind. This could be replacement gas for an LPG heater, diesel fuel for a diesel heater, or dry wood for a wood-burning stove. In addition, the cost of certain fuels will vary from that of others. It’s also important to remember that you will undoubtedly need more petrol if you plan to live in your campervan more permanently. It is important to consider these expenses when choosing which heating system to install.
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Cost of Installation
When selecting the best kind of campervan heating for your DIY project, installation costs will obviously be a major consideration. From an inexpensive wood-burning stove to a complete gas multi-cylinder refill system with an LPG heater, each involves different techniques and skills. Make sure you do enough research on the price of installation.
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Maintenance Costs
A well-kept heater will keep you and the other occupants safe and keep the heater functioning at its best. However, several heaters can need more frequent maintenance, and certain portable heaters will cost more for necessary repairs.
Safety: The Number One Priority with Campervan Heaters
Any installation of a campervan heater must be done safely, and if possible, a qualified tradesperson should do the installation. The manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed when installing any heater. It’s also advised to have safety kits with a fire alarm and carbon monoxide monitor. If you have a wood-burning heater, it might be a good idea to have a fire blanket and extinguisher nearby. Also, space must be allowed between the wood heater and other items to reduce the possibility of heat radiation from the stove. The radiation can easily start a fire within the campervan.
Conclusion
A campervan heater is necessary for a comfortable and fun trip, especially when it is extremely cold outside. It keeps you warm and relaxed even as you tour so that you can see new locations without considering the adverse cold climates. Our goal at Highland Vans is to build a top-quality campervan that takes your adventure to a brand-new level. If you are going to the mountains or just traveling the nation-state, our expert camper van conversions offer the perfect blend of comfort and dependability. Get in touch for any of your van needs today!
