ac unit vs space heater

[tommildren]

I have always wondered why some rv parks say no to space heaters.
Anybody know which uses more electricity, a 13,500 heat pump or a 1500 watt ceramic space heater?

[GaryKD]

Hi tommildren,
This is an old rule left over from the time before heat pumps. CGs do not like to change their documents, it costs $s. So they just print the same old thing year after year. Most likely, these are the same people that believe power transformers steal power from the CG. While one can't ignore the rules, consider don't ask, don't tell to be a policy to follow. If they have true 50 AMP service (100 AMPs total) there should be no problem. Now if they advertise 50 AMP, have a 50 AMP plug but supply something less that 100 AMPs total (golly would a CG ever do this ) then one might pop a breaker or two.

[tommildren]

thanks, that answers the first question, any idea on the elec usage comparison?

[a k]

I believe it is the fire hazard,not the usage.Liability issue. I might be wrong.

[Hitchhiker]

The AC will probably pull around 12 amps after it gets started and the head pressure equalizes when cooling. When heating it'll draw 2 or 3 more amps. The 1500 watt heater will need 12.5 amps @ 120 volts to deliver that wattage.

[tommildren]

Thanks Richard.