heater for winter

[maxx1963]

What is the most energy efficient heater you all have found to put in your trailers for the winter. from what i have seen the radiator type look to be the best, on low setting they only use 600 watts. what do all of you think??

[Festus2]

Rather than using a heater of any type, I use two and sometimes 3 "coffee can" home-made heaters. Each coffee can has a lightbulb inside- usually 60W - so that I am looking at about 180W for 3 heaters. The cans have been drilled all round with 1/4" to 3/8" holes to allow the heat to escape. It's amazing just how much heat is generated by a light bulb!

They aren't meant to keep the unit "warm" and won't prevent the inside temps from dipping below freezing if it is really cold outside. However, they work well to keep the inside dry and free of dampness and moisture.

I place 2 or 3 of these heaters in the RV and when the temps are going to go below freezing, I plug in the RV. I also have a small computer fan which uses next to nothing to help keep the air circulating in the unit. It doesn't move a lot of air but in addition to having the vents and windows cracked open a bit, there is enough cross circulation to prevent any buildup of moisture, mildew and mold. I used these "heaters" on a boat for years and they worked like a charm.

The heaters cost next-to-nothing, draw very little, are effective and are easy to make. For parts? Coffee can, light bulb receptacle, old cord off whatever, plug and Bob's your uncle!

[35mastr]

I havent used it in my trailer yet. But thiis DeLonghi DFH480M would heat my 40 foot motor home with no issues at all. Has its own T stat too.

[maxx1963]

i have a similar delonghi i have been using, but i heard the radiator type are way more economical on power for winter storage.

[f6bits]

I use something similar to the above DeLonghi. I have the Duraflame Oscillating Ceramic Heater. It's 900 and 1500 watts. Works well enough – the kitchen area stays warm and the bedroom and bunk rooms aren't too chilly. Maybe not as energy efficient as you're looking for, but when plugged into shore power and I'm not paying for electricity, I like it.

I've heard mixed reviews on the Catalytic propane heaters. Very efficient, though.

EDIT: Oh, is this for storage, or for living?

[maxx1963]

This is for storage, A radiator type heater would not be the right one for camping. You would want one with a fan.

[geo]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Rather than using a heater of any type, I use two and sometimes 3 "coffee can" home-made heaters. Each coffee can has a lightbulb inside- usually 60W - so that I am looking at about 180W for 3 heaters. The cans have been drilled all round with 1/4" to 3/8" holes to allow the heat to escape. It's amazing just how much heat is generated by a light bulb!

They aren't meant to keep the unit "warm" and won't prevent the inside temps from dipping below freezing if it is really cold outside. However, they work well to keep the inside dry and free of dampness and moisture.

I place 2 or 3 of these heaters in the RV and when the temps are going to go below freezing, I plug in the RV. I also have a small computer fan which uses next to nothing to help keep the air circulating in the unit. It doesn't move a lot of air but in addition to having the vents and windows cracked open a bit, there is enough cross circulation to prevent any buildup of moisture, mildew and mold. I used these "heaters" on a boat for years and they worked like a charm.

The heaters cost next-to-nothing, draw very little, are effective and are easy to make. For parts? Coffee can, light bulb receptacle, old cord off whatever, plug and Bob's your uncle!

Ah, well, ah . . . Festus2. Down here in the States, there has been a demise of the incandescent light bulb. During one of the "petroleum scares" of the past, about 10 years ago when we also got 6 weeks added to our Daylight Saving Time (to save gasoline?), our officials decided that CFL (compact fluorescent lighting) was better than Edison's incandescent. There are two real downsides to the CFL - one is that they don't produce enough heat to use this method of heating anymore. The second is that they contain mercury and are hazardous waste when they do quit working - and should not be thrown in the trash!

But growing up in rural Oklahoma, I remember plenty of times using a 100W incandescent light in the pump house during the winter to keep the water flowing to the house!

Now, do they still have incandescent light bulbs in Canada? Hmm, when you cross the border, do they inspect for incandescent light bulbs being smuggled south along with rice?

Ron

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by geo

Ah, well, ah . . . Festus2. Down here in the States, there has been a demise of the incandescent light bulb.

Now, do they still have incandescent light bulbs in Canada? Hmm, when you cross the border, do they inspect for incandescent light bulbs being smuggled south along with rice?

Ron

Ah, well, ah......Ron. Up here in Canada, at least in the area where I live, we can still buy incandescent light bulbs. Originally, the 75-100W were supposed to be taken off the shelves by January, 2012 and the 40-60W by January 2013. However, our Federal government decided that, for reasons only known to government, this wasn't such a "bright" idea. Consequently, the date has been moved forward (or back) until January 2014.

Since we move a little slower up North than down South, they are still on the shelves but not taking up as much room as the more energy efficient ones.

Don't tell anyone but I have been secretly stock-piling incandescent bulbs and am nervously awaiting a knock on my door from Dudley Do-Right. So, my coffee can heaters have been loaded with the soon-to-be-banned bulbs and all I can say is, "Let there be light" and I'll take the heat.

Rice? Like all the other forbidden fruits and veggies that we can't take south, we now leave our rice at home. Homeland Security is watching for rice and the Mounties for light bulbs. I am a marked man.

[geo]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Don't tell anyone but I have been secretly stock-piling incandescent bulbs and am nervously awaiting a knock on my door from Dudley Do-Right. So, my coffee can heaters have been loaded with the soon-to-be-banned bulbs and all I can say is, "Let there be light" and I'll take the heat.

Rice? Like all the other forbidden fruits and veggies that we can't take south, we now leave our rice at home. Homeland Security is watching for rice and the Mounties for light bulbs. I am a marked man.

Festus2 - Hmmm, I think someone is looking for you!



Ron