Posted 2010-01-19 10:46 AM (#115450 - in reply to #115449) Subject: RE: heat strips VS forced heat
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Heat strips are electrical resistance units that are sold as an option to be included in most air conditioning units. They don't do a very good job of heating. A forced heat is provided by a gas furnace, with an attached blower motor (the forced part). They are an excellent source of RV heating.
A third option is inexpensive and also works very well; a $15 ceramic heater sold everywhere. It will heat a large LQ, is thermostatically controlled, and takes up very little space.
Posted 2010-01-19 11:13 AM (#115454 - in reply to #115449) Subject: RE: heat strips VS forced heat
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: MT
I wouldn't advise anyone to just have a heat stip unless your only going to be down south where its warm alot of the year. Forced air is much better and won't ever leave you cold. Forced air should also make it easier to sell when you are finished with it.
Posted 2010-01-19 11:20 AM (#115455 - in reply to #115449) Subject: RE: heat strips VS forced heat
Veteran
Posts: 229
JcH, Gard answered your question. I'll just add my opinions on heat strips versus propane. I see that you are in Utah. I am Oregon. Many of the trailers west of the rockies have propane heat because the manufacturers and LQ installers know that we need it. Many of us camp where there are no hooks ups. Also, the heat strips are abysmal. They will only knock the edge off. You will freeze! Not really, but having had one trailer with heat strips only, I won't go there again. Propane heat was "must have" on my trailer list of prefered and required features.
Posted 2010-01-19 2:37 PM (#115462 - in reply to #115449) Subject: RE: heat strips VS forced heat
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Those heat strips are the equivalent to a 1500 watt hair dryer..... 5000 btu, that's all. They work pretty good if you're only about 100 yards on either side of the Equator!!! If you're trying to warm up a 65 degree room to 67 degrees, then you're good to go. If it's much colder than this you'll be even colder the next morning..... The heat strips just kinda warm the air, a little bit. Try heating a room with a hair dryer, It'll probably do a better job....!!
I know. I got two trailer, both with "HEAT STRIPS".
Posted 2010-01-19 3:32 PM (#115464 - in reply to #115462) Subject: RE: heat strips VS forced heat
Veteran
Posts: 231 Location: Illinois
Fortunately I have both in my trailer...and I have to agree, the heat strip just knocks the chill off, but do not expect alot of warmth out of it..If you can choose, go with a forced air furnace..you have more heat and better control of said heat ( theromstat controlled)
Posted 2010-01-19 7:24 PM (#115480 - in reply to #115449) Subject: RE: heat strips VS forced heat
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Iowa
I have a "HOT OIL" electric heater in mine. It's perfect. It was about $30 I think. It stands up right so it doesn't take up much room. It does a great job.
Posted 2010-01-19 7:53 PM (#115481 - in reply to #115449) Subject: RE: heat strips VS forced heat
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
I discovered the joys of a heat strip...it was cold outside and even COLDER in the trailer. It was just blowing tepid air at me. So I bought one of those small box fan/ceramic heaters at Walmart for 20 bucks. I don't camp so I always have eletrical hook up and the heater is great.
Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Our farm is a non-profit disorganization.
Help me out, Is this the link you inented for me to see? If so, why?
Nope, I was just saying (by highlighting the words in red), that the heat strips added to an LP furnace is a waste of money... I didn't post a link... What link are you talking about? The stuff at the bottom of my posts are in my profile, stays the same every time I post.
Posted 2010-01-20 10:30 AM (#115500 - in reply to #115449) Subject: RE: heat strips VS forced heat
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
They are right the heat strip is a waste of money. We had a DIY with a factory installed AC with a heat pump. Works better than a heat strip unless its about 30 degrees, then it freezes up and you have nothing. We ended up using a Little Buddy hooked to a large propane tank. We didnt like the heat pump blowing across the bed anyway. I used an electric ceramic heater if I had a hook up. Our new LQ has both an AC with heat pump and a propane forced air furnace that is all ducted. We dont like the heat pump because it blows out the vents in the ceiling so we get too hot in the bed. The furnace blows out the vents at floor level, and heat rises so its perfect. When we are camping with hook ups though we hate to use propane when we are already paying for electricity, so we still use the little $30 ceramic heater. We have a 10 ft short wall and it heats the whole thing great. Stayed in it Christmas with it down to 17 degrees and that little ceramic heater is all we used. Also if I have the heat pump on and the electricity goes out or it gets so cold it freezes up, my trailer is designed to automatically switch over to the propane furnace. Our AC/Heat Pump/Furnace has a remote just like a TV has. It hangs on a little holder on the wall and you can take it out and put it on the bed so you can adjust the thermostat without getting up. Lazy. LOL I havent tried it out yet to see if it really does as we dont care for the heat pump.
heat strips VS forced heat
