Community Forums

mskier · 05-14-2016, 10:57 PM

In the process of ordering a 2017 DutchStar 4002. If you have the floors heated electrically are the AC/heat pumps needed?
Thanks

Mr_D · 05-14-2016, 11:04 PM

I would say yes. But, until we got the Magna, we've never had a heated floor either. Wasn't even an option in our '02 DSDP when we ordered it. We have three heat pumps, heated floor (electric only) and the AquaHot. Personally I prefer the AquaHot so far.

siggyd · 05-14-2016, 11:09 PM

Electric floor heat is very efficient, so is an electric heater inside is 100% efficient. A heatpump is still wasting some energy up on the roof and the reversing valve makes the AC/heatpump more complicated.
I do have AC/heatpumps, but have never used the heatpump portion.
If I had a choice, I would take a pass on the heatpumps.
Siggy

Mr_D · 05-14-2016, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siggyd

Electric floor heat is very efficient, so is an electric heater inside is 100% efficient. A heatpump is still wasting some energy up on the roof and the reversing valve makes the heatpump more complicated.
I do have heatpumps, but have never used the heatpump portion.
If I had a choice, I would take a pass on the heatpumps.
Siggy

Our local PUD has lots of experience with heat pump usage and costs. Their experience is that a heat pump is more efficient than electric heating elements.

Quote:

Heat pumps can save up to 50% on your home heating bills because they deliver energy more efficiently than other sources. Heat pumps are actually air conditioners that include a reverse cycle for heating, so they cool homes in summer and heat them in winter.

Quote:

In heating mode, heat pumps are three to four times more efficient in their use of electric power than simple electrical resistance heaters.

And our experience over years of stick house and RV use bears this out.

Wryly Blithe · 05-15-2016, 01:34 AM

The nights dipped down into the high 30's during our last trip to Northern California. We kept the radiant floors on all night, and it was comfortable enough, but clicked on the heat pumps for a few minutes in the mornings to take the remaining chill out of the air.

Did we have to? No, but it was nice having the option.

Airedale · 05-15-2016, 04:20 AM

We use our heat pumps if we are hooked to shore power and just need to take the chill off. We are currently camping in northern PA and woke to a balmy 37 degrees. We kept the heated floors on overnight and then turned the heat pump on in the a.m. We had the heat pump option in our Canyon Star (no heated floor option) and used that heat pump primarily unless we were boondocking and then we used the propane furnace. We have had no issues with the heat pumps.

MRUSA14 · 05-15-2016, 04:54 AM

Heat pumps provide heat faster than the floor heat, are way more efficient (as described above), and can add additional heat when the floor heat doesn't warm the coach enough. They will provide electric heat rather than having to burn propane or diesel at those times when the floor heat doesn't keep up with the cold.

WYRon · 05-15-2016, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siggyd

Electric floor heat is very efficient, so is an electric heater inside is 100% efficient. A heatpump is still wasting some energy up on the roof and the reversing valve makes the AC/heatpump more complicated.
I do have AC/heatpumps, but have never used the heatpump portion.
If I had a choice, I would take a pass on the heatpumps.
Siggy

You're right about the floor heat efficiency, but I'm afraid not so much for the heat pump. Heat pumps, just like air conditioners, have a COP (coefficient of performance) that is greater than one (typically 2-4). What that means is for every watt of electricity they use, they put out a COP (2-4 watts) of heat. That depends on the outside temperature, with the COP going down fast when the outside temperature drops below about 40-45 degrees.

Selah · 05-15-2016, 06:20 AM

After almost three years full timing we have used our heat pumps maybe twice, if that much. Between the heated floors and the fire place there is really no need for heat pumps. If it gets too cold for those then it's too cold for the heat pumps to provide any heat. A heat pump will only work down to 40*, sometime a little lower.
The added benefit is that heated floors and the fireplace are quiet.

VP Chianese · 05-15-2016, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selah

After almost three years full timing we have used our heat pumps maybe twice, if that much. Between the heated floors and the fire place there is really no need for heat pumps. If it gets too cold for those then it's too cold for the heat pumps to provide any heat. A heat pump will only work down to 40*, sometime a little lower.
The added benefit is that heated floors and the fireplace are quiet.

I'm not sure what the point of the OP was. You have to get A/C and all the A/C's are A/C -H/P. So you will have them. Now if you use them is a different story.

Now if the point was you were thinking of saving a few bucks by not putting any A/C units then you will own that MH for a long time and have to leave it to your kids in your will to give away. There will be no, as in $0 resale value with out A/C.

JMonroe · 05-15-2016, 07:36 AM

I'm sure the coach comes with A/C units as standard equipment that are probably heat pump equipped. I suspect the OPs question is, do I spend the money on the optional, and expensive, heated floors.

We've been RVrs for over 35 years, never had heated floors and have somehow survived.

Pick up our new coach tomorrow which will have heated floors. Ask me again in a week and my opinion will hold a bit more weight.

pasdad1 · 05-15-2016, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mskier

In the process of ordering a 2017 DutchStar 4002. If you have the floors heated electrically are the AC/heat pumps needed?

Thanks

The heat pumps provide heat much faster. It takes hours for the heat in the floor to start warming the air. The heat pumps blow warm air in just minutes (provided outside air is above 39 F)

MRUSA14 · 05-15-2016, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VP Chianese

I'm not sure what the point of the OP was. You have to get A/C and all the A/C's are A/C -H/P. So you will have them. Now if you use them is a different story.

Now if the point was you were thinking of saving a few bucks by not putting any A/C units then you will own that MH for a long time and have to leave it to your kids in your will to give away. There will be no, as in $0 resale value with out A/C.

Not all air conditioners have heat pumps and the heat pump is sometimes an optional extra cost feature. I took the OP's question to mean " should I spend extra for the heat pump feature on my AC's?" My answer would be yes. I use my heat pumps all the time. They heat up in minutes and the floor heat takes hours, plus if you are paying for the electricity, the heat pumps are cheaper to run. In addition, it is not really good for your air conditioners to sit unused for 8-10 months a year. With heat pumps they get more frequent run time which keeps the internal seals lubricated and provides for longer life.

pamart1986 · 05-15-2016, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mskier

In the process of ordering a 2017 DutchStar 4002. If you have the floors heated electrically are the AC/heat pumps needed?
Thanks

We leave the floor heat on at night and don't use the heat pumps if we are somewhere where the nights are cold. That way we don't have to listen to the pumps and the coach stays at a comfortable temp.