When paying utilities what do you use for heating?

[Sky_Boss]

2 major points about this thread and poll:

1. It is mostly targeted for folks in CG/resorts who are staying long term and paying for utilities separate from CG fees.

2. It also is mostly relevant to locations where heating the coach is normal including places that are normally warm but either occasionally get cold (typical snow bird locations) and/or where evenings are typically cool/cold enough to need some warmth.

It isn't very scientific but just something I thought I would toss out since this winter made some warm places pretty cool/cold.

[Craig_R]

While we are rarely in a place that charges for metered electricity, when we are, we heat with our Hydro-Hot.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Craig_R

While we are rarely in a place that charges for metered electricity, when we are, we heat with our Hydro-Hot.

We plan to do 3 months some place like the RVG to bank up for the rest of the year. I am also committed to a couple month here in Alamo, TX for some continuing dental work for at least 2 years each. After that...we hope to be more adventurous in roaming the country during the winter months but this year has really been a challenge east of the rockies.

TANX!

[Clay L]

Whether we use propane or electric heat depends on the price of each. We use whichever is the cheapest way to heat.

If you go to 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.

Note: If you want to use the help file, for Windows Vista and higher you will need to download and install a Microsoft program that allows you to use help files with the "hlp" extension for whatever operating system you are using.
You can download it HERE

[CampDaven]

Hey Don. Good questions.

Propane and electricity are too close to the same to make a tangible difference. We used both on previous rig. Now, AquaHot and electric for heat/cooling.

During a 2-week cold snap in Casa Grande last year, the electric bill was about $140. An anomole.

Here in Yuma, we paid about $100 for electric for cooling and portable heaters. $3+ a day is tolerable.

At about $600 or less for rent and electric, I cant complain about $20 or less per night on monthly stays.

Dave

[ronjhall]

We use a Quartz heater that is set to keep temperature in RV at 72 down to about 50 outside. When outside drops below 50, propane furnace takes over.
We are in the RGV at a RV park northwest of McAllen, TX.

[Dog Folks]

We use propane to heat the tanks and water lines to keep from freezing.

We also use electric to keep warm and keep the main propane furnace from running too much.

[Clay L]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

Hey Don. Good questions.

Propane and electricity are too close to the same to make a tangible difference.
SNIP
Dave

That depends on the cost of each.
Here in Bouse in the RV park, the cost for electricity is $020 per KWh
and propane down the street is $2.50 per gallon. Running the numbers shows that propane is cheaper to use.
Propane would have to cost $4.02 for the heating cost to be equal.
So here it will cost 1 1/2 times as much to heat with electricity as with propane.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by Clay L

That depends on the cost of each. Here in Bouse in the RV park, the cost for electricity is $020 per KWh and propane down the street is $2.50 per gallon. Running the numbers shows that propane is cheaper to use. Propane would have to cost $4.02 for the heating cost to be equal. So here it will cost 1 1/2 times as much to heat with electricity as with propane.

Yes, some places have very cheap propane! We paid $1.76 in October.

If folks are in real cold areas, the cheaper energy is best, of course. We have little of the cold or hot year around as we move. Thus, the biggest effect of which energy source is maybe $20/month at worst.

However, some iRV2 posters are in very cold Northern areas. There, the dollar delta will matter.

So, the math for each RVer needs to be worked out.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by ronjhall

We use a Quartz heater that is set to keep temperature in RV at 72 down to about 50 outside. When outside drops below 50, propane furnace takes over.
We are in the RGV at a RV park northwest of McAllen, TX.

I'm in Alamo...did you enjoy the frozen roads last night. LOL

What model heater do you have?

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Clay L

Whether we use propane or electric heat depends on the price of each. We use whichever is the cheapest way to heat.

If you go to HERE you can download a small program that will make the simple calculation for you.
It allows you to enter the appliance efficiency....

Thanks for that. That seems to be a great starting point. I suppose the question regarding the use of heat pumps is also related to their efficiency too. I suspect that the efficiency is the outside air temp to some extent and maybe not even in a linear fashion. Currently, it has been my practice to use the furnace when temps get below 40* outside. I'm assuming that at some point the heat pump becomes to inefficient and a straight comparison such as with your utility is no longer useful.

When temps do get down to 40* we dial the furnace down and use space heaters as needed, especially in the bedroom after we go to bed. When we close that off, use the space heater and add to big German Shepherd Dogs to that small area...it stays nice and toasty.

Thanks again for the program.

[Clay L]

If you have a heat pump and the temperature range is such that you can use it, that will be your best choice.
Heat pump efficiency is very high and will beat propane unless it is cheaper than I have seen it in many many years.

[so47]

Propane has jump quite a bit in price in the last couple of weeks. That plus having to uproot my happily planted rig and drive 1000' to get it and then re-park keep me from using it as little as feasible. Fridge and stove top only. Luckily, it hasn't dropped below the mid-forties here in Yuma. My heat pumps were designed for just these temps. and are very happy.