Camping with your RV is great no matter where or when you do it. However, in the chilly winter months or early spring when the temperatures hits lower double digits, you need more than just your warm heart to keep you cozy.
There are many different kinds of heaters out there and the exact type you need really depends on the size of your RV and where you will be traveling.
In this review, I have gone through some of the most popular RV heaters out there and compiled a list of propane/gas, electric and oil-filled devices on the market today. So lets jump right in:
A gas or propane heater works via combustion. An ignition is set off to fire up the burners in the combustion chamber. The generated heat is then transferred to the heat exchange chamber, from where it diffuses into the atmosphere, raising the temperature.
If given the option between a natural gas heater or a propane model, you should choose the latter. Natural gas heaters release greenhouse gasses that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. However, propane gas heaters don’t release any such noxious gasses.
A propane heater has several drawbacks. First, it needs to be constantly refueled, proving to be expensive in the long run. Second, if there is a leak in the propane tank, gas can leak out. This is dangerous as propane is a flammable gas.
Propane heaters also require electricity, although just a negligible amount via a 1- volt DC connection.
If you don’t want to use propane, you opt for portable electric heaters, either ceramic or infrared heaters, although the latter won’t heat up an entire RV. Oil-filled heaters are a great alternative as they can heat up an RV faster and more efficiently.
Natural gas isn’t a great alternative for propane because it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Propane heaters are meant to be used outdoors or indoors. Those rated for outdoor use should never be installed in confined spaces like in RVs. Outdoor propane heaters can generate carbon monoxide.
However, indoor propane heaters are designed for the ideal burn, a balance that ensures only a negligible carbon monoxide output. Most indoor propane heaters also come with low oxygen level detectors. If the carbon monoxide level increases, the heater will automatically turn off.
Regardless of precautions, it’s important to get an indoor propane heater regularly checked and serviced to make sure that it’s in optimal condition and not producing unwanted a carbon monoxide byproduct. Furthermore, you should also invest in a carbon monoxide detector for your RV.
While the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning from an indoor propane heater is negligible, it is still a possibility.
I appreciated the focus on safety in this device as it features a safety shut-off valve, which can protect you from the discharge of any non-ignition fuel. If you use this heater in high altitudes, be careful to crack a window open and allow for plenty of ventilation as it uses a lot of oxygen.
This gas RV heater is also fuel efficient. It consumes only 1/8 lb of propane per hour at its maximum heat setting and 1/15 lb at its lowest setting. As such, you can use a 20 lb propane tank for approximately 160 to 300 hours, depending on the setting.
This heater has been rated at 100 square feet based on an external temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. It can heat up a 100 square feet RV well enough; but if the RV is not well insulated or if the external temperature is cooler, you’ll need a larger 6000 BTU or 8000 BTU heater, both of which are available as variations on this model.
Pros
Cons
This gas heater comes with a front safety grill to prevent accidents. It also has an inbuilt Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS), so it gets automatically switched off whenever the oxygen level falls short, thus preventing suffocation. The ODS feature makes this heater safe to use in high altitudes as you can rest assured that the heater won’t consume all of the oxygen.
This gas heater is extremely powerful and can heat up an RV quite well. However, it sucks up the oxygen quickly, even on its lowest heat setting, so you have to ensure there’s plenty of ventilation. You might even have to crack open a door. You should also make sure that there’s at least a 5-foot radius maintained between the heater and all other objects, as it can make them extremely hot.
Pros
Cons
However, if you use it in an RV or small enclosed space, you must ensure that there’s plenty of ventilation and keep the doors open. I found that this model sucks up the oxygen pretty quickly and small spaces get unbearably hot unless you crack open a door.
Furthermore, I was disappointed about how the product has been marketed. It is labeled a “quiet burner” that produces 50% less noise than other propane burners. However, in my experience, it produces quite a bit more noise than other propane heaters, since it comes with a fan to disperse the heat. Another pain point is the pigtail, which is only 12” long. So, it’s pretty necessary to use an extension cord with it.
Pros
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The propane flame generally burns with a steady and gentle blue flame. However, when the propane tank is about to finish, it starts sputtering, which can be quite distracting.
This propane heater can be mounted on the walls of an RV. It comes with an oxygen depletion sensor, so you don’t need to worry about ventilation. If it senses a loss of oxygen, it will automatically shut down.
You should note that you can’t use this heater in altitudes about 4000 feet for several reasons. It has a low BTU rating, so it will be pretty ineffective in higher altitudes where temperatures are cooler. Furthermore, the Oxygen depletion Sensor is likely to prevent it from working in high altitudes where oxygen presence is scant.
Pros
Cons
Electric heaters generate heat by converting electricity (passed through a resistor) into heat. The heat is then channeled and released through an open vent.
Unlike gas heaters, electric heaters produce no byproduct. There’s no release of greenhouse gases and no risk of a gas leak. That is not to suggest they are safer. In fact, electric heaters are often be riskier than propane gas heaters because they can tip over or an electric fuse can cause a fire. Electric heaters are also not as immediately effective as gas heaters because they are slower to disperse.
Electric RV heaters can only be used to heat up one space at a time. The heater will warm the area immediately surrounding it but not other rooms. You can save power with it, but if you want your entire RV heated simultaneously, this isn’t your best option.
Electric heaters also consume a lot of energy, especially if you’re using solar energy.
If you don’t want to use electricity, you can opt for a propane RV heater hooked to a 12V battery. Some people also use wood stoves; however, these are a safety hazard and should not be used in RVs.
Ceramic space heaters are a type of electric heater. They use coils and a fan to draw air from a conducting ceramic element and then release the warmed air into the room. Even though these heaters generate and release a considerable amount of heat, they remain cool to the touch. Furthermore, ceramic heaters radiate heat in one direction, most in the direction they are facing.
If the electric current passing through the heater increases, they generate more heat. This, in turn, also increases resistance and limits the current flow. Ceramic heaters are also energy-efficient, using only as much electricity as is necessary.
Infrared or radiant space heaters are also a type of electric heater. They transfer high heat into the atmosphere through electromagnetic radiation. Infrared heaters work through vibrations, generating and releasing heat energy that is locked within the object itself. This makes them more energy efficient, but it also means they can warm up a very limited area. You can place them on a table or near your legs to warm your body, but they don’t do much beyond that.
The Lasko comes with an overheat protection feature so the room doesn’t overheat even if the heater is on for an extended period of time. You can’t set a timer to control when you want it to come on and go off. However, the thermostat ensures that it maintains the favored room temperature. If the room gets too hot, it automatically shuts off or lowers the temperature accordingly.
You should note that this heater cannot be mounted on a wall because it has an internal fan that needs at least 2-3 inches of clearance at the back. One of the biggest issues with it is the lack of safety. It doesn’t have an auto-shutoff feature in case it’s tipped over. This may be a major fire hazard. The manufacturer has incorporated a casing to prevent this from happening; however, it’s not enough.
Pros
Cons
As an infrared heater, it works on the dual principle of radiative and conductive heat. Radiative heat, the predominant part, helps heat up objects directly in front of the heater. You can keep it close to your body even with a low wattage. The heater uses conductive heating to a lesser degree to heat up the air.
However, even the radiative heat ends up heating the air through dispersion. The clear advantage here is that radiative heating allows you to warm yourself using low energy and without drying out the air in the room.
You can set it to the desired temperature and rest assured that the heat will cycle on and off to maintain that pre-set temperature as long as you need. However, it maintains the exact temperature rather than maintaining a range. As such, after it has achieved a temperature, it stops for a while and turns back on the moment the temperature dips below the target.
The fan on the device turns on every five minutes for thirty seconds in order to assess the room’s standing temperature. If heat is needed, the fan will remain on. If not, it gets turned off. Every time it starts up again, it makes a discernible sound that can prove to be disruptive, especially if you’re a light sleeper. There is no setting available that keeps the fan either turned on or off continuously.
The only part of the heater that heats up is the metal grate through which heat is expelled. This is, of course, expected, since heat is expelled from that region. You should also be careful to ONLY plug this heater directly into a wall outlet rather than a power strip. The high amperage can lead to an electrical fire if plugged into a power strip.
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While this is a perfectly decent space heater, I was incensed while trying to set it up. The factory settings for this heater range from 1-20 instead of stating the actual temperature.
In order to reach the temperature menu, you have to hit “Quiet” for five seconds until your reach Timer, then go through a few options until you reach Temperatures, and then set it up between 40 to 90 degrees. This is a needlessly complicated method for something that should be pretty simple. You can find the details in the manual.
Several users have complained about the limited remote range. You essentially have to stand over the heater and use the remote for it to work. This can be annoying if you need to change the setting in the middle of the night.
Pros
Cons
It can be placed on a carpet or around other potentially flammable objects because the safety tip-over switch will immediately turn it off should it falls. It’s also quiet in operation, even when you turn on the fan to circulate the hot air around the room.
Pros
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Oil-filled heaters are similar to gas heaters in that they both function through the combustion of energy. However, oil doesn’t get utilized as fast as propane, making them last longer. They are also safer than gas heaters because they aren’t as flammable, in case there’s a leak. Despite these advantages, oil-filled heaters are generally only used as radiators and are the least popular type of heater.
When you first purchase this heater, it’s important to “temper” it. To do this, you need to plug it outside or in a well-ventilated area and run it at the full heat setting for several hours. This will help burn off the anti-corrosion coating applied by the manufacturers. If you don’t do this, your heater might expel a foul odor in your RV.
While this heater can warm up an RV perfectly well, users must temper their expectations. This is not a forced air heater but a radiant type. As such, it takes a while for it to heat up a room, and even then it can makes it more comfortable rather than toasty. Furthermore, you should turn on a fan to help circulate and evenly distribute the hot air.
Pros
Cons
As an oil heater, there’s no overheating at the bottom of the radiator. Furthermore, the heater itself is elevated on wheels so the bottom doesn’t touch the floor. You can even place it on a carpeted floor without fear of it burning. This heater also doesn’t give off any odor and it doesn’t require tempering before use.
While operating, the coils of the heater do get hot. They’re never hot enough to be scalding; however, they’re not completely cool like some other heaters either. Thus, it should be kept away from the reach of small children or pets.
This heater doesn’t give you a lot to complain about. However, if I were to get finicky, I’d mention about the temperature increments. The temperature settings are set apart by 5 degrees, going from 60 to 65 to 70, and so on. This can sometimes leave you feeling either too hot or not hot enough. It would be better served with temperature increments of 1 or 2 degrees.
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Cons
This heater can be used to heat up approximately 150 square feet of space. It can only heat one room at a time. It works silently and also has a timer which controlling when it should start or stop operating. The 24-hour timer comprises several teeth that allow you to determine when the heater should turn on or turn off. It’s easy to operate and extremely efficient.
Like several oil-filled radiators, this heater needs to be tempered before use. If you use it on a high heat setting directly, it will exude the foul odor of heated paint. As a result, you need to take it out in a ventilated area and let it run for a few hours before using it. The heating is slow, common for oil heaters, but it eventually heats the room with an even temperature.
Pros
Cons
The unit makes use of pure diathermic oil that’s permanently sealed in the heater, so there’s no leaks and no need to refill either. As with other De’Longhi products, it gives off the smell of burning paint upon initial use, so you need to let it run at high setting for a few hours. However, some users have also complained that the smell never really goes away,but only dissipates over time.
It takes a while for it to heat up the room, about 20 minutes, just like most oil-filled radiators. That isn’t a lot of time in the grand scheme of things. However, considering some electric heaters can heat up a room within 5 minutes, it can be a lot. Eventually, it heats up the room more evenly than most heaters. It is also quite economical as it doesn’t consume a lot of energy.
Furthermore, you don’t need to use fans to disperse the heat as the inbuilt fins slowly and naturally circulate the hot air up to the ceiling. The fins are covered by a shroud not found in the other De’Longhi models, so it’s also cooler to the touch.
Pros
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Your RV heater should be highly efficient, capable of functioning even at low power input. If the heater requires a lot of power, you’ll have difficulty finding a power source, increasing the likelihood of your battery blowing out. This might leave you without heat on a chilly night. So, if you’re purchasing an electric heater, get one with a high heat output at low power consumption.
If you’re purchasing a gas heater, it should consume as little propane as possible. If you use a 10-pound propane gas canister, how long will it last with this particular heater? Getting a heater with a high fuel consumption may prove to be rather expensive down the line, if you are not careful.
Your heater should come with plenty of safety features. Electric heaters should have cool surfaces, so they don’t become too hot to the touch. They should also come with thermostats that can monitor the room’s temperature and prevent overheating.
Some heaters come with switches that automatically turn them off if they are tipped over, mitigating the risk of a fire. If you’re purchasing a gas heater, it should come with an oxygen level detector to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
The heater you choose should be able to heat up your entire space. While this may seem obvious, a lot of campers overlook this crucial aspect and then end up complaining about how cold their RV is. The exact size of the heater can be calculated based on the BTUs (British Thermal Units). It takes about 20 BTUs to warm up a one square foot space. As such, you’ll need 2,000 BTUs to heat up a 100-square foot space. To determine how many BTUs you need, simply multiply your RVs square footage by 20.
Some RV heaters are noisier than others; this is especially true for electric heaters with fans. You should run the heater before buying it to determine how noisy it is. If you are buying your heater online, this is a problem, of course, but you can read other user reviews to see what they think.
In my experience, you get pretty used to any constant sound pretty quickly, and I have yet to come across a fan that is so loud that you cannot sleep in the same room with it. Maybe it is because I am such a heavy sleeper, and if the noise really does bother you, get an oil-filled or gas heater instead as they are generally silent.
RV heaters discharge heat in one of two ways — directly or through ducts.
Direct discharge RV heaters blow air from the faceplate. They are small and lightweight, but only heat up the space from a single source. They are usually found in small and old RVs.
Duct heaters blow air through ducts in the ceiling and floors. This helps the heat spread evenly across the RV and you can open or close vents in the rooms more freely. They usually come with an inbuilt thermostat to determine when the system turns on or off, thus regulating the heat automatically.
Duct heaters are generally favored these days. However, some people still prefer the convenience of a compact direct discharge RV heater.
I hope this article has helped you to get a better idea about the best heater for your specific needs. If you still have questions left unanswered, feel free to reach out!
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