Propane - Addon-MBE

If the temperature around is you is falling, if there are signs of ice and snow, then it is imperative that you have a propane catalytic heater in your caravan so that your windshield stays clear and you are able to see properly.

You must be careful about the type of propane hose heater that you choose as an incorrect choice could prove disastrous .with any heat system; it makes sense to take the necessary precautions – why should one be careful? When one uses a heater, then carbon monoxide is an inevitable by product, even though the quantity, atleast from a good heater is expected to be small. The carbon monoxide inside a van could gradually affect the oxygen in the van and this can be disastrous for breathing. It is very useful to have a smoke detector so that in case of a faulty heater where the emission of Carbon Monoxide is more than normal, one can take necessary precautions before it is too late.

There are different types of heaters which can be used in a van. Let us have a look at them:

The forced air propane furnace or the RV furnaces operate in a similar manner like the gas furnace which you may have at home. Here, essentially, you have a gas flame which gets its fresh air for the purpose of burning from outside. The fumes which are generated from the exhaust are channeled to go outside the van. With the assistance of an electrical fan, the air which is heated is taken through a duct or a direct vent into the living area of the van. This makes for quite convenient usage. Some of the drawbacks, here, need to be highlighted:

1. These type of furnaces which have been described above uses a lot of propane.

2. The 12 voltage system which you may be using can get quickly depleted unless you happen to be plugged in.

3. There can be a fair amount of noise from the fan.

4. These furnaces are quite expensive – the cost would be in the vicinity of five

Apart from the RV furnaces, there are the propane catalytic heaters which are permanently mounted. The most popular among these are the Olympia heaters. These do have some definite advantage over the RV furnaces. Some of these are:

1. These heaters do not produce carbon monoxide – from the point of safety to one’s health, this could be the most important advantage.

2. No electricity is needed to operate this furnace – which means, again, cost savings.

3. Less amount of propane is required as compared to the RV furnace – this obviously again results in lower costs.