Propane and Catalytic Heaters for Your RV or Van Dwelling

The temperatures dropping and the windshield is frosting up. If you haven't thought about heating your van dwelling by now you better do some quick shopping.

There are both easy and difficult ways to incorporate a heat source in your van. The one thing you must always be aware of is the dangers involved with any type heat system that relies on fire.

Carbon Monoxide, often referred to as the silent killer, can fill the small living space in a van very quickly. It displaces the oxygen and in effect anyone sleeping inside is asphyxiated. Not only do you need the protection of a smoke detector, you also need to have a carbon monoxide detector. On to the different types of heat sources suitable for use in a van:

Forced air propane furnace RV furnaces operate similar to your home gas furnace. You have a gas flame which gets its combustion air from outside the van. The exhaust fumes are vented to the outside world. Heated air is moved with an electrical fan through duct work or a direct vent into the living space. Over all a very tidy package with a few exceptions.

1. RV forced air furnaces use a lot of propane.
2. They also will deplete your 12v system quickly unless your plugged in.
3. The noise of the fan can be annoying.
4. RV furnaces are expensive costing $500 or more.

Permanently mounted propane catalytic heaters Olympia propane heaters are well known in the RV world. They offer quite a few advantages over a forced air furnace.

1. Catalytic heaters don't produce carbon monoxide.
2. They require no electricity to operate.
3. They use much less propane than forced air furnaces.

Sounds like the perfect solution, more efficient so you can stay out in the wilderness longer.

One important safety factor to consider though, they can deplete the oxygen level in a restricted area to a point of suffocation. Currently available models are equipped with a Low Oxygen sensor that will automatically shut the heater off before that point is reached. The only negative on these heaters is they require hard line plumbing and a propane tank.

Portable propane catalytic heaters Mr. Buddy heaters offer portability, self-contained fuel supply, tip over protection and low oxygen shut off protection. You don't need to install permanent propane lines and tank as they use a spin on throw away propane container. The two larger sizes can be hooked to a remote propane bottle with the addition of a hose running to the separate tank.

If heating with propane is the way you want to go, these are a good cost effective option that doesn't require special knowledge and a bunch of tools to get up and working. Spin on fuel canisters are available almost everywhere, and they even have an on board igniter. No matches required.

Only use portable propane heaters where you have a safe, solid surface to set them on and make sure they are away from combustibles. Propane heat is the best and most effective way to heat an RV or van dwelling.

Portable electric heaters will work, if you happen to have a power source, but propane will work anywhere.

Some people have had the notion of using a small wood burning stove such as a fishing ice house heater to heat their vans. Over all a dangerous and impractical solution to staying warm. Temperature control is poor, fire hazard is high, and suffocation from lack of oxygen or carbon monoxide poisoning is a very real possibility. Especially if you chose to burn coal or charcoal thinking it would maintain heat longer.

Most wood stoves have no source out outside combustion air so your supply of oxygen goes up the chimney. The small confined space of a van isn't adequate to supply air for both you and a wood stove fire. What ever source of flame supported heat you choose keeping a window cracked to ensure adequate air to sustain life would be highly recommended.