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05-19-2012, 07:15 AM
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#1
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Member
Winnebago Owners Club Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 86
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electric heater or rv furnace
Is it cheaper to run the rv furnace or buy an electric heater? we have an 1989 25 foot winnebago chieftain. It is in the shop right now and the furnance isn't working, I am not sure if I should have them fix it or just go with an electric or propane heater. I live in southern california, but it does get a little chilly at the beach or in the mountains. thanks
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05-19-2012, 07:25 AM
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#2
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Community Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,379
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beaudrya786
Is it cheaper to run the rv furnace or buy an electric heater? we have an 1989 25 foot winnebago chieftain. It is in the shop right now and the furnance isn't working, I am not sure if I should have them fix it or just go with an electric or propane heater. I live in southern california, but it does get a little chilly at the beach or in the mountains. thanks
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The answer depends on whether or not you pay for electric.
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Cliff,Tallulah and Buddy ( 1999-2012 )
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05-19-2012, 07:27 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 860
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In my opinion I would have your RV's furnace fixed.
You never know when you could be camping and either have no shore power available or the shore power fail for the night.
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2010 Coachmen Freelander 30QB E450 V10
Have Kids Will Travel
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05-19-2012, 07:29 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 715
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There have been several earlier threads about electric heaters and possible inverter damage, so I recommend that you check those out. Propane heater venting. Be careful.
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2007 Dutch Star 4320
2010 Mazda Miata 6 speed
Roadmaster tow
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05-19-2012, 07:46 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,499
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IF you always have electric available (shore power), a portable electric heater (1500 watt from WalMart) would meet your needs in southern Ca.
If no electric, fix the furnace and use it along with a portable electric heater when you have power (this is what I do: I try to just use electric when I have shore power; I use both furnace and electric when it is in the 20's or colder).
Using portable propane heaters inside a motorhome requires proper venting all the time - no mistakes allowed or it could cost you your life.
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Tom and Amy from Northern Virginia.
2000 Allegro 454/Workhorse P32/TST/Crossfire
Life is a DIY project, so own less and live more
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05-19-2012, 07:54 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,499
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Another thing I like to do - The furnace and electric heater fans make noise, but they heat up the coach quickly. Those electric radiator heaters are quiet (but a pain to store). If you have a place to store one, you could use the radiator in the bedroom at night (with door closed) and turn the furnace off until morning.
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Tom and Amy from Northern Virginia.
2000 Allegro 454/Workhorse P32/TST/Crossfire
Life is a DIY project, so own less and live more
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05-19-2012, 11:52 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Palisade CO
Posts: 3,588
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It depends on the cost of the propane and electricity. If you go HERE you can download a small program that will make the simple calculation for you.
It allows you to enter the appliance efficiency.
According to an email to me from engineering at Suburban Manufacturing, the efficiency of RV furnaces ranges from 70 to 80 percent. Water heaters are 70 percent on gas.
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Clay WA5NMR - Ex Snowbird - 1 year, Ex Full timer for 11 years - 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 35N Workhorse chassis. Honda Accord toad.
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05-19-2012, 03:27 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
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Remember, if you have a heated basement model a electric heater will not warm it and in case of a freeze- frozen pipes...
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05-19-2012, 03:48 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Marathon, Florida
Posts: 2,909
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We use a small electric heater to take the chill off but this is in a park where electric is included. Not so much for the savings but having an LP tank that is attached it is a pia to get it filled. If it is real cold out the LP furnace can't be beat though.
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Mark & Nancy
2004 Winnebago Vectra 40KD
Shep dog, R.I.P. Kenzie dog Toad 2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler
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05-19-2012, 09:53 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
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I use two radiator type electric heaters one in front and one in the back and set the furnace to come on if the temperature inside drops below 65. You have to manage total amps used. It works for us and we are comfortable with no frozen pipes.
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Ernie and Carolyn
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05-20-2012, 05:31 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 236
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I have used a small electric heater in the past primarily to keep inside of coach above freezing when in storage up north.
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Tony, Nancy & Abby the pooch 2011 40'Monaco Knight PDQ Maxxforce 10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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05-20-2012, 06:24 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 668
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Yes have the furnace fixed. IT does heat up much quicker than the electric heater also it does supply heat to the basement for keeping the tanks from freezing in below freezing temps. Nothing worse than a cracked holding tank.
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1990 28' Georgie Boy, 454, 4bbl, Thorley Headers, Recurved Distributor, 8.0 mpg. RVM 76
CAMPING: WHERE YOU SPEND A SMALL FORTUNE TO LIVE LIKE A HOMELESS PERSON.
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05-20-2012, 07:29 AM
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#13
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Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 47
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Depends on how cold you will be camping, but in many situations we have been in, an electric heater would in NO way replace our furnace which also heats the under carriage items.
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05-20-2012, 11:11 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,754
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If I'm paying a fee to camp and part of that fee includes the electricity...I'm using the electric heater.
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2014 American Eagle 45T
DD 13, 500 HP
Pulling a Honda CRV
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