RV Heating 101: Options for Heating an RV in Cold Weather
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Whether you live in your RV full-time or sometimes find yourself traveling to cold destinations, it’s essential to be aware of the different ways of heating an RV. While RV heating doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated, it’s important to educate yourself and be prepared to avoid putting yourself at risk of fire or freezing from the cold, amongst other challenges of cold weather RVing.
In this article, we’ll share the options you have for heating an RV during cold weather, offering a variety of RV heating methods and some essentials you’ll need to be aware of. Whether you only see cold weather when you’re caught in a polar vortex or you spend months wintering in cold climates, these tips are for you.
Option 1: Heating with Your RV’s Propane Gas Furnace
If your RV comes with a propane gas furnace already, congratulations! This is your easiest and safest option for RV heating, because it requires no modification to the RV. Check your manual if you aren’t sure how to operate your gas furnace.
Heating an RV with propane can get expensive, and in the bitter cold, you may go through it very quickly, especially if it’s a small propane tank. While using propane for cooking may allow you to go months without a refill, we’ve seen plenty of people run out of propane in days in cold temperatures they weren’t accustomed to.
Skirting your RV will make a big difference in helping you to conserve propane. This way the area underneath the RV will have much less exposure to the cold and the elements. This article offers RV skirting solutions. This article covers foam board skirting as a DIY project.
Because small propane tanks will be exhausted quickly in the cold, they require you to fill them more frequently, and these costs can add up. So we recommend purchasing a larger propane tank. Alternately, purchase backup tanks so that you can refill multiples at a time (decreasing how often you make the trip). There are many places to refill propane, and you can purchase backup tanks at places like Tractor Supply (or other farm supply stores).
One con to this, though, is that even the small propane tanks are very heavy to lift, and transportation in a car is challenging. In addition, your RV (especially if it’s a motorhome) may have a propane tank that can’t be removed, so refilling it will require a drive to the refill station or hiring a propane company to come to you. (If this will frustrate your plans, read on for alternatives!)
Another challenge is that propane lines can freeze in cold weather. To prevent this, we recommend insulating your propane tanks and line.
We recommend the heated propane tank blankets available on Amazon. To help protect your propane lines from freezing, you can line an enclosed propane tank bay with Reflectix.
Finally, I’ll mention that occasionally we’ve encountered places that don’t like you to use a furnace on site (same with a generator)…it’s typically something we’ve seen at places like Harvest Hosts sites. Just something to consider asking about before you book your stay!
Option 2: RV Furnace Converted to Run on Electric (CheapHeat)
Another option if you have an RV furnace is to convert it to run on electric! CheapHeat is a furnace conversion kit that’s available to purchase from a company called RV Comfort Systems. With their modification, you can then run the RV furnace on either gas or electric!
This versatile RV heating option could be really useful as there are parts of the country where propane is more expensive than electric. An electric option would also be convenient with a motorhome that has a built-in propane tank if you run out of propane but are unable to move your motorhome to refill the tank. According to the company website, this system will need to be installed by a certified RV mechanic., and they estimate that with labor and installation, you’ll pay about $1,500 for this system.
Option 3: Supplement Your RV Heating With Space Heaters
Space heaters can help to take the edge off the cold in heating your RV – but be very careful in using them. Some newer RVs come with a fake fireplace installed, and this is essentially a space heater, but it’s safe to use because the manufacturer has made sure that the wiring to run it is adequate.
But if you’re purchasing a space heater for your RV, please tread carefully. Space heaters aren’t just a major cause of fires in the US – they’re also a common cause of fire in RVs. For both, the main issue is that when space heaters are plugged into outlets or extension cords, the outlets or extension cords need to be rated for the amount of power they draw. And they draw a lot of power! Be sure to read this guide to learn more about space heater safety.
If you’re considering adding a space heater to your RV, keep these essentials in mind:
- Do not use a household extension cord. Most household extension cords (even heavy duty ones) contain 14 gauge wire. A space heater needs 12 guage or thicker wire. (The lower the gauge, the thicker the wire.)
- Make sure any outlet you plug it into is rated for enough amps and has a thick enough gauge of wire.
- Don’t plug anything else into the same outlet when you’re using a space heater.
If you decide you would like to buy a space heater to supplement your other RV heating options, this article covers some good portable space heater options that work well in RV’s. The costs can vary from as little as $30-$40 for the cheapest options up to $300-$400 for fancier ones.
Option 4: Install a Mini Split System for Year-Round Comfort
Mini split systems are becoming a popular heating option for RVers who want to heat their camper with electricity instead of propane, partly because they have the added benefit of supplementing your air conditioning system to help you stay cool in hot weather. These systems include an outdoor compressor and an indoor air handler, providing both heating and cooling capabilities while using less electricity than most space heaters.
If you’re considering DIY installation, be sure to purchase a pre-charged system. Many of the cheaper mini split systems available on Amazon have not yet been charged and require charging by an HVAC professional, but a pre-charged system can be installed by a handy RV owner.
One important caution: mini splits heat only your RV’s interior, not the plumbing areas underneath or in storage bays. This means pipes could freeze in very cold weather if you rely solely on a mini split. For this reason, they work best as supplemental heat—perhaps using the mini split during the day to save propane, then running your furnace at night to protect your plumbing.
To learn more, check out our detailed guide on installing a mini split in your RV.
Option 5: Heating an RV with a Wood Stove
Did you know that there are wood stoves that are designed to be used in RVs and boats? This can be a great option for some people, but it requires doing some research and paying attention to the safety protocols for installation.
If this RV heating option appeals to you, learn more in this article about installing a wood stove in an RV. Costs begin at a few hundred dollars and run $500+, but it will depend on your setup details.
Option 6: Use the Sun to Heat Your RV
Are you staying in a sunny area? Make use of the sun’s warmth by letting as much sunshine as possible into your RV! For this to work, don’t cover your windows with Reflectix or heavy blackout curtains.
However, do be sure to insulate single pane windows to prevent heat loss. Read our in-depth guide to insulating RV windows here. This can be an option that pairs well with others on the list – use the sun when it’s plentiful, and have a backup heating source for when you need it.
Conclusion: Heat Your RV More Efficiently by Preventing Heat Loss
The most important thing you can do to stay warm in your RV is to prevent heat loss. These articles explore ways to do that:
- Complete Guide to Insulating RV Windows
- Benefits of RV Skirting and How it Can Save You Money
- How to Stay Warm in a Cold Camper
- How We Prepare Our RV for Winter
- How to Prevent Condensation in an RV
Feel a draft in your RV? Don’t ignore it – recognize you’ve got some heat loss in that spot, and consider ways you might add insulation or find other creative ways to prevent the heat loss in that area.
To summarize, there are lots of ways to keep your RV warm in winter, including your RV furnace (powered by propane or electricity), space heaters, the sun, and even a wood stove. Having a backup solution for when you run out of propane or when the power goes out is a good idea when you’re spending winter in a cold climate, especially if you’re out in the middle of nowhere. Above all, safety needs to be your biggest concern in RV heating. Don’t hesitate to hire a professional to evaluate your RV heating setup and make sure you’re ready to stay warm, cozy, and safe all winter long.
What did we miss? Please suggest other RV heating ideas ways to stay warm in an RV in the comments.
