Help with heating

[ElaineR]

Does the heating run off of gas/electric mix? We have been leaving heating on 12deg to air van
In two weeks it has used a full bottle of gas whilst hooked up to electric too is this right?
Really appreciate any advice on what is the best/right way to do this
Thank you
Elaine

 

[Googlebot]

What heating system and age is it?

 

[busby]

I never waste money on heating the van when not being used,,cant see the point.BUSBY.

 

[David and Sally]

Yes, probably if that is what you have set it to.
Depends on your system. Our Truma runs on gas, electric, or a mixture of both

 

[LesW]

Turn the gas off.

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[Jev88]

Ventilation is far better and cheaper than wasting money on heating

 

[Riverbankannie]

Does the heating run off of gas/electric mix? We have been leaving heating on 12deg to air van
In two weeks it has used a full bottle of gas whilst hooked up to electric too is this right?
Really appreciate any advice on what is the best/right way to do this
Thank you
Elaine

Contrary to some others, I find ventilation alone does not keep the condensation and feeling damp away. I have mains hookup at home, so I leave a dimplex heater on frost setting. Not really heating up the van, but it keeps the condensation at bay.
I upend the cushions to keep air flow all around them and I have a winter silver screen on the outside of the windscreen.

If you post a photo of your controls, as they are set now, we can help you with the electric/gas settings.

 

[tonka]

Never heated an unused van in 20 years. Look at dealer forecourts, non heated on there.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I don't leave heating on, I leave the skylight over the shower open and one window open a crack, this lets air circulate all cupboards open and cushions pulled away from the side

 

[daveandsan]

Waste of time heating a van if it isn’t being used and warm air holds more moisture than cold air.

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[Speve]

Never heated an unused van in 20 years. Look at dealer forecourts, non heated on there.

Dealers forecourt vans are not left with bedding and belongings in them ours is loaded and ready to go when we want to so a little heat is useful and keeps it dry

 

[gpat]

I wouldn't heat the van, not for technical reasons, but for the reasons that

1. I was born in Yorkshire and
2. to heat is properly (which you must do) will cost a small fortune for the whole winter

 

[poppycamper]

Turn the gas off.

Even better... turn the heating off!!!

 

[Tombola]

I leave mine plugged in at home aet to 9 or 10 deg just on electric not gas.
I am out in it most weekends and the drive there does dry any last minute dampness out with cab heating pushing air out

 

[Lenny HB]

We never heat our van when not in use no point.

It would help if you said what make heater & model.

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[gpat]

Waste of time heating a van if it isn’t being used and warm air holds more moisture than cold air.

Being pedantic, warm air has the 'potential' or capacity to hold more moisture, it doesn't necessarily have more moisture in it

However, it is correct that if you warm the van for a short time the humidity in the air in the van will rise as the van is not sealed from the outside. That means the humidity level will rise as the air takes up moisture. The inner surfaces will be cold so when you turn the heating off, condensation will occur. If you continued doing this you would in effect be making the van more and more damp.

However if you warm the van and keep it warm constantly it will start to dry (or at least the condensation cycle will be broken). Also the surfaces (all the interior fittings) will eventually become warm too. Condensation will still occur in the coldest spots. So not even that is a good idea.

I agree with most on here that heating it (whether temporary or all the time) is not a good idea unless you can completely seal the inside from the outside (which you can't). Ventilation is the key (when humidity levels are low on the outside)

 

[TerryL]

I never heat the van when it is not being used and in 12 years of ownership haven't had a problem.

But unfortunately the hab check revealed some damp around a skylight - caught in the early stages, no damage and remedial action taken, but it's spent a couple of days & nights on the drive with the heating on to get rid of the worst. Seems to have done the trick for now as the damp readings have gone down to "watch but no action needs to be taken" thank goodness. Nevertheless it's going back in a month or so for the guys to give it another going over.

I used a full (6kg) bottle of gas whilst doing the above - but refillable gas is cheaper than electricity..........!

 

[ElaineR]

Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to reply much appreciated
We a have a Rollerteam 696 and it’s a Truma system
We are still learning the ropes gonna take on board all comments
Thank you

 

[Googlebot]

Are you setting it correctly to just electric? If you select gas or both, it will use electric first but boost it with gas.

Or is it one of the models that doesn’t include the electric element?