As an electrician I would advise calculating the BTU requirements for each room. You have mentioned about panel heaters can be very low wattage but they may not be suitable for the size of room and actually cost more to run. If you Google BTU calculator you can easily type the dimensions of the rooms and it will give you a figure required to which you can then select the panel heater with the nearest BTU figure that is higher than the amount needed (not lower). Most of these heaters have thermostats so once the temperature desired is met the heater will turn off automatically. If you under specify your heaters the heater will continue to run as it won’t be able to achieve what you are asking of it and it will cost more money than a higher powered heater that can achieve what you need.
Hay bails are great insulators , BUT thy may come with a fire risk, I really understand your problem I have been in a static in winter and its bloody cold with a fire on and an electric heater. in the end Ivan you are going to have to spend some money to keep warm, you cant do everything on the cheep. Good luck
I think you are doing great. You really think things through. When my late husband and me had our static caravan we made sure to have plenty of warm bedding and good old hot water bottles. Take care. Thanks for the channel it gives me many happy memories of caravanning. Happy days x
Hi there. It doesnt matter whether your heaters are oil filled, halogen or panel heaters. A 1kw heater will use 1kwh regardless. Electricity , although the most expensive, is also the most efficient means of generating heat, so your £400 panel heaters will cost the same to run as oil filled or halogen or any other electrically powered heaters.
Ivan, keep an eye on your electrical load, usually a caravan only has an incoming supply of 16A so it’s quite easy to exceed that and trip out your main incomer breaker, A 1kw heater is 4.1A a 1.5kw is 6.2A and so on, a kettle 8A + fridge etc so it soon adds up
If you can legally buy your own ground. You can build a log cabin frame and roof with insulation between the static exterior wall and log sides..There’s a guy in Ireland done this. He is nice n cozy in it now.
Super good ideas! Watch out for condensation under your caravan after installing the wrap skirting. I will be watching your channel to see the results. Cheers!!
Thanks Ivan, for this update, I think that James Currie has great info for the panel heaters which my daughter used in an apartment that she lived in and did a great job but expensive to run, that isn't an aluminium tube that is always going to be limited by lack of insulation etc. From my experience from very many years ago I personally would only ever use the gas fire in absolute need for rapid heat then turn the thing off in a caravan. I was in Home Bargains today and saw a good range of oil filled heaters (big and small) that were thermostatic and timer controlled and at really good prices. I know that you want your heaters to be placed in a neat and tidy manner but in a van I would rather have the chance to move the heater to where you find it more practical. Take care and all the best. Stevie
Hi I enjoy your videos. I have spent almost 12 months in my caravan (now sold), it had insulation, full decking and skirt, double glazing and central heating, thick carpet apart from kitchen, bathroom and en suite, thermal curtains and door curtains …..honestly in freezing weather, you will be cold regardless of having CH on, because of the ventilation necessary in a van you will be cold and draughty…..they are not meant to be in all year. The gas cost was phenomenal, we supplemented with 3 thermostat oil filled radiators which helped, but as soon as you turn the heating off or down you feel the damp coldness….gas and electric costs are high to get through it, and we left site for 6 weeks mid Jan to beg March. I wish you well and look forward to all your videos.
I used to have electric heating in my park home each winter my electric bill was 1,000£ or just over this year i had gass central heating put in cost me £5000 this comeing winter will be the first time with it . I think This winter will be a lot better and cost less £75 for a 47kg gass bottle good luck 😊
Hello, the easiest way to keep warm cheap or clean is proper insulation , skirting all around good idea however it's a fire hazard . Best to do the skirting with cob or bricks . While doing that I would make a strong base that can hold a lot of load below the gas heater .and where your has heater is make like a bread oven with bricks around it a thickness of 2 or 3 bricks right to the ceiling with some places to let air in and out .once bricks are warm they keep warm very long so the gas heater can be turned on 1 and it will be like sun radiant heat .a pallet bricks is about 300 pound you will need 2 maybe 3 pallets but this will last forever and is fire safe .
Hi Along long time ago because my Dad was in the RAF we lived in caravans for five years . The big caravan had a small stove in it that burned coal . The whole van was warm and there were no problems. In fact it was warmer than a lot of houses . Even when there was snow . Gas will need to be kept inside because it freezes . The best of luck
Same here...RAF North Luffenham, 1959-61. Mum, Dad & 3 kids under 5 in a small caravan on a cold, windy airfield parked right close to 3x Thor IRBMs. We had only pressurised paraffin heaters to warm the van. It was cold. I still feel the cold now.....and I'm glad I no longer live next to IRBMs.
It might be worth considering a dehumidifier for your spare room. I had to buy one for the conservatory and have been impressed. It will remove all the condensation and will dry your washing if you need to dry it inside - much cheaper to run than a tumble drier. I’ve also found that it gives off some heat.
Hi we've just bought a caravan on site with central heating and see how it goes but we go a conservatory built at home and had a ceramic panel heater fitted worth a look
North and East is the sides to insulate, put safety on putting any candles to take chills off small rooms, most of all never be ashamed to wear and use thermal dressing gowns over your clothes at any times, also time when it starts to get cold, then close all doors and draught proof cold air. Stay safe and well hot meals and drinks, early nights to keep warm in bed with double duvets.
Infared wall panels are great,they are thin and come in all sizes even mirrored for bathrooms etc,you can even get them with pictures printed on them so look like paintings....cheap to run.
you can fit a small log burner in a van , as a comment l left before i had a van in 1980 it had a parkway fire installed by the manufacturer from new i was as toasty as a bug in my van it would need a flue and a gasket in the-roof and a soild harth but its a one off investment and a much drier heat
When you've got your panel heaters in place, try using those small 3 speed desktop fans (bout 6 inches in diameter) and have them blow gently above and across the heaters. This will cause the hot air rising from the heater to spread more quickly. It's getting that warm air to circulate that will make a big difference. Also, our park home has 6 inches of polystyrene beneath the floor, and protecting this is a layer of 3/8" plywood which in turn is fixed to the underside of the framework supporting the floor.
Diesel heater . Rightly installed , you can get silent pumps and a proper thermostatic timer. Whole set up can be done fir around £300 . Timer is around 80 and silent pump is about 100 too
I use a cheap electric THROW blanket during the day - very cheap to run - gets warm, but not hot and wear fingerless gloves indoors, thermal leggings and a fleece if needed. Fingerless gloves are a lifesaver.
Hi, a heat pump would be perfect for you. I’ve just fitted one in my large conservatory and it’s been brilliant. You don’t need to get rip off “F” registered engineers to fit it if you buy a propane (R290) one. It will easily heat the van in the winter and cool it the summer. They have a 400% efficiency rating, meaning every 1kw of electricity you use it gives you 4kw of heat. It will cost you about £700. Look at appliance direct, and their easy fit air con units as they are the R290 ones. They’re absolutely brilliant and cost peanuts to run, we set ours to 21 degrees and it kicks in and out as needed. We’ve spent thousands on wood and coal trying to heat it over the years and it was either too cold or too hot….not anymore!!!
We've been staying in a rental caravan this week and I've had the central heating on every morning and evening. All the static owners we've known over the years who don't have centrally heated vans will close down by the October half term at the very latest as it gets too chilly. A lot of vans used to have panel heaters fitted before central heating became a thing. Should be quite effective. Can you buy a freestanding electric towel rail as well?
I think you need to try your gut feeling first, I think the wrap is a great idea.. let's be honest, we come from a generation who scraped the ice off the inside of the window with our finger nails 😮 Yep good old days 🎉 be happy 😊 x😊
Hi Ivan , don't totally discount oil heater they are so versatile as you can move them from room to room in my opinion use your panel heaters and get 1 oil heater All the best Andy Sloan
We have a new caravan in Wales enquired about a log burner was told no we not allowed one because everyone would want one and the smell would be unbearable so we just have a calor gas heater which works well for us and very warm . we also have central heating but we find the centre heating that runs of a gas bottle 19kg which last about 5 days so we only use central heating when really cold
Check with your insurance company before you put steaks in ground and use pallet wrap. Some on our site did similar with garden trestle. Then found out it invalidated the insurance due to it not been one of the named items to use around the base. Fire safety. Next just be careful with adding extra heaters. Make sure you are not overloading the electric circuit. Otherwise it will keep tripping out and not just yours.
Hi you have got some great ideas and l think you have got it sorted. I have head it's going to be a mild winter. So that will be better for you.and you have got each other to keep you warm. Look forward to seeing it when you get it all finished. Hope you have a Lovely weekend. X❤❤
Mild according to who exactly ? Most weather forecasters, who are extremely intelligent people, don't have a clue what's coming 10 days from now. Yes they are educated and have studied the subject for many years. They use numerous computer models of the weather and go with the ones that vaguely correspond with each other. Mother nature will never be an exact science...
The decoration you speak of. I just purchased more of the material type green leaf which I believe to look more realistic with uv protection 10ft long x 20" cost approx. £2.60 via Temu. Bought some this past spring time and has weathered brilliantly. (Checked each leaf was pushed in as some were not quite secured down before putting up)
Is it feasible to insulate the underside of the caravan? Lot of work but it would keep the floor warmer. Glad to hear that you're going to enclose the sides-great idea.
Be interesting to see the outcome good luck Iven whether your ideas pay off or not . All the very best to you both. Tim. Ps i have only holidayed in a static caravan in the summer month's. 😊
Keep your van as DRY as possible .... avoid heating which produces moisture like a gas fire ... I run a dehumidifier and low energy tubular heaters ... Fabrics absorb moisture which cause cold and damp ...
Turning on the gas fire first thing quickly warms up that end of the van and doesnt need to be on for very long. Gas is prepaid which helps with budgeting
I have lived in a static and if I was to do it again I would defo have central heating and I’ve tried everything, you will only stay barely warm if you use anything else
Maybe give a company called northern polytunnel's a call a get a sheet of good polytunnel plastic and use that to block the cold out then add your decorative bits to that itvwoild be more durable and last longer...just an idea
Stick silver kitchen foil to the walls behind the panel heaters to reflect the heat into the room and prevent it disappearing straight out through the walls ….
You can't beat getting into a warm bed heated by an electric blanket for half an hour or so before you get in it and if you are just sitting on the sofa watching telly in an evening an electric throw will keep you toasty and is cheap to run.
@@chrysalis4126 I agree I use an electric over blanket, brilliant and cheap to run, put a tv on the bedroom wall, cheaper option, Argos sell good overblankets
You seem to be taking all the sensible steps to keep your caravan warm without going overboard on install costs. However I think you'll find the running costs expensive, Central heating is much more efficient. As an example my caravan has central heating and my friend has a gas fire and panel heaters. He uses 3 times more gas bottles than me just using the gas fire. Obviously you need to factor in the age of caravan and pay back time of CH.
When we had our centrally heated caravan I must be honest wasn’t always needed . Heat the room you’re in the living room , put your electric blanket on an hour before you go to bed and a small panel heater should be fine to warm the bedroom before you go to bed . Run the shower before you get in to save shivering waiting then put your towelling robe on and get dressed in the warm room. Treat yourself to two Amazon heat pads they’re a game changer to shove up your jumper when you’re cooking or put the kettle on. Not worth spending thousands on heating the van its already depreciating like a car .
You will be surprised how effective your gas fire is and just how cost effective they are it's a shame most properties no longer have gas fires nowadays.
You probably know this already, but f you use any electric portable heaters they must be plugged in directly into wall sockets. Never use power strips or extension cords. I have a friend whose vacation home was destroyed by fire in winter because thet had an electric heater plugged into a power strip.
Personal I would not of brought the electric wall heaters I’ve been in static 5 years old van single glazing Go with 300wat oil heaters you will heat at average 250 watts but once hot they click in and out as to wall heater will burn your money, also use low wat dehumidifier
Friends of ours bought a new double width mobile home and they had never been so cold. It had 2x47kg LPG gas bottles, combi boiler and rads. Around 4 years ago was costing £60 a week in gas plus electric for oil fires. They had lived in Northern France with no central heating but had a woodburner. Unfortunately they are not insulated enough for all year use. The mobile home was Isle Of Wight. Sold it on after a year, 18 months and moved to a house.
Absolutely…winter in a caravan is not for the faint hearted….regardless of it having CH, double glazing etc…the floor vents cause many draughty spots….too bleak for me.
I bought a panel heater still in box 60 p a hour I would by one and test it if I were u im sure u can buy oil on wall.... I wasted 150 pound on it not cheap one
You could have it on one bar and you can move it around. Them panel heaters could be ove expensive to run as electric isn’t cheap when you’re heating something up
I laid 25mm insulation on the floor all through my caravan. Topped with carpet. I skirted all round the outside with sleepers. I heat the van with a free standing gas fire in living area, a small oil radiator in the bedroom. In a cold winter I use one 13kg calorgas bottle per month. Done it for 6 years. I also lined my cupboards with foil roll. Never had damp. Regularly use an electric blanket when really cold. Others said I would freeze......no, I monitor my van at 20oC.
We live in a caravan we have double glazing skirting all round the van air conditioning unit that blows out hot air and central heating we have ekectric blankets and a gas fire and we are still freezing in the winter because yhe fuel bills are so huge we have to be so careful.and now no fuel. Allowance!!!!!!!!!!!
![No Hot Water Caravan Boiler Problem [Caravan Life UK]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9y-hZwqBM8s/mqdefault.jpg)
![No Hot Water Caravan Boiler Problem [Caravan Life UK]](/img/tr.png)
Just heat the room your in mate, and heat your bedroom an hour before you turn in. It works for me. An electric blanket is essential though.
As an electrician I would advise calculating the BTU requirements for each room. You have mentioned about panel heaters can be very low wattage but they may not be suitable for the size of room and actually cost more to run. If you Google BTU calculator you can easily type the dimensions of the rooms and it will give you a figure required to which you can then select the panel heater with the nearest BTU figure that is higher than the amount needed (not lower).
Most of these heaters have thermostats so once the temperature desired is met the heater will turn off automatically. If you under specify your heaters the heater will continue to run as it won’t be able to achieve what you are asking of it and it will cost more money than a higher powered heater that can achieve what you need.
the dehumidifier is also a good suggestion.
Hi I know it seems silly but we have a dehumidifier and we noticed that by taking the damp air out then it’s gets warmer hope that helps 👍🏻
@russallen7511 I second this!! The moisture in the air makes it colder, remove the water, and then it's warmer.
@@zoegoodfellow1988I agree I have used one for year damp air makes you feel cold
@@russallen7511 Yes they certainly make a Difference get one with cloths Drying mode
Let us know how it goes
@@russallen7511 I have one in my house and it’s excellent
Hay bails are great insulators , BUT thy may come with a fire risk, I really understand your problem I have been in a static in winter and its bloody cold with a fire on and an electric heater. in the end Ivan you are going to have to spend some money to keep warm, you cant do everything on the cheep. Good luck
I think you are doing great. You really think things through. When my late husband and me had our static caravan we made sure to have plenty of warm bedding and good old hot water bottles. Take care. Thanks for the channel it gives me many happy memories of caravanning. Happy days x
I live in a mobile home and I found that bottle gas fires course condensation. I now have central heating well worth it .
Hi there. It doesnt matter whether your heaters are oil filled, halogen or panel heaters. A 1kw heater will use 1kwh regardless. Electricity , although the most expensive, is also the most efficient means of generating heat, so your £400 panel heaters will cost the same to run as oil filled or halogen or any other electrically powered heaters.
Ivan, keep an eye on your electrical load, usually a caravan only has an incoming supply of 16A so it’s quite easy to exceed that and trip out your main incomer breaker, A 1kw heater is 4.1A a 1.5kw is 6.2A and so on, a kettle 8A + fridge etc so it soon adds up
If you can legally buy your own ground. You can build a log cabin frame and roof with insulation between the static exterior wall and log sides..There’s a guy in Ireland done this. He is nice n cozy in it now.
Super good ideas! Watch out for condensation under your caravan after installing the wrap skirting. I will be watching your channel to see the results. Cheers!!
Thanks Ivan, for this update, I think that James Currie has great info for the panel heaters which my daughter used in an apartment that she lived in and did a great job but expensive to run, that isn't an aluminium tube that is always going to be limited by lack of insulation etc. From my experience from very many years ago I personally would only ever use the gas fire in absolute need for rapid heat then turn the thing off in a caravan. I was in Home Bargains today and saw a good range of oil filled heaters (big and small) that were thermostatic and timer controlled and at really good prices. I know that you want your heaters to be placed in a neat and tidy manner but in a van I would rather have the chance to move the heater to where you find it more practical. Take care and all the best. Stevie
Hi I enjoy your videos.
I have spent almost 12 months in my caravan (now sold), it had insulation, full decking and skirt, double glazing and central heating, thick carpet apart from kitchen, bathroom and en suite, thermal curtains and door curtains …..honestly in freezing weather, you will be cold regardless of having CH on, because of the ventilation necessary in a van you will be cold and draughty…..they are not meant to be in all year.
The gas cost was phenomenal, we supplemented with 3 thermostat oil filled radiators which helped, but as soon as you turn the heating off or down you feel the damp coldness….gas and electric costs are high to get through it, and we left site for 6 weeks mid Jan to beg March.
I wish you well and look forward to all your videos.
Been in mine 5 years and always warm in the winter, central heating and double glazed, one gas bottle every 2 weeks in winter so not overly expensive
@@kazlee9213 I guess we all feel cold to a different degree…
I used to have electric heating in my park home each winter my electric bill was 1,000£ or just over this year i had gass central heating put in cost me £5000 this comeing winter will be the first time with it . I think
This winter will be a lot better and cost less £75 for a 47kg gass bottle good luck 😊
Thank you much appreciated
Hello, the easiest way to keep warm cheap or clean is proper insulation , skirting all around good idea however it's a fire hazard . Best to do the skirting with cob or bricks .
While doing that I would make a strong base that can hold a lot of load below the gas heater .and where your has heater is make like a bread oven with bricks around it a thickness of 2 or 3 bricks right to the ceiling with some places to let air in and out .once bricks are warm they keep warm very long so the gas heater can be turned on 1 and it will be like sun radiant heat .a pallet bricks is about 300 pound you will need 2 maybe 3 pallets but this will last forever and is fire safe .
Hi Along long time ago because my Dad was in the RAF we lived in caravans for five years . The big caravan had a small stove in it that burned coal . The whole van was warm and there were no problems. In fact it was warmer than a lot of houses . Even when there was snow . Gas will need to be kept inside because it freezes . The best of luck
@@valeriewalker2223 it’s only the blue bottle gas that freezes, the red gas doesn’t
Same here...RAF North Luffenham, 1959-61. Mum, Dad & 3 kids under 5 in a small caravan on a cold, windy airfield parked right close to 3x Thor IRBMs. We had only pressurised paraffin heaters to warm the van. It was cold. I still feel the cold now.....and I'm glad I no longer live next to IRBMs.
It might be worth considering a dehumidifier for your spare room. I had to buy one for the conservatory and have been impressed. It will remove all the condensation and will dry your washing if you need to dry it inside - much cheaper to run than a tumble drier. I’ve also found that it gives off some heat.
Hi we've just bought a caravan on site with central heating and see how it goes but we go a conservatory built at home and had a ceramic panel heater fitted worth a look
North and East is the sides to insulate, put safety on putting any candles to take chills off small rooms, most of all never be ashamed to wear and use thermal dressing gowns over your clothes at any times, also time when it starts to get cold, then close all doors and draught proof cold air. Stay safe and well hot meals and drinks, early nights to keep warm in bed with double duvets.
Infared wall panels are great,they are thin and come in all sizes even mirrored for bathrooms etc,you can even get them with pictures printed on them so look like paintings....cheap to run.
you can fit a small log burner in a van , as a comment l left before i had a van in 1980 it had a parkway fire installed by the manufacturer from new i was as toasty as a bug in my van it would need a flue and a gasket in the-roof and a soild harth but its a one off investment and a much drier heat
is pallet wrap flammable and safe to use. would ask permission first before spending out. looking forward to seeing the panel heaters.
When you've got your panel heaters in place, try using those small 3 speed desktop fans (bout 6 inches in diameter) and have them blow gently above and across the heaters. This will cause the hot air rising from the heater to spread more quickly. It's getting that warm air to circulate that will make a big difference. Also, our park home has 6 inches of polystyrene beneath the floor, and protecting this is a layer of 3/8" plywood which in turn is fixed to the underside of the framework supporting the floor.
Hubby used to live in a mobile home and he said skirting really makes a difference.
Diesel heater . Rightly installed , you can get silent pumps and a proper thermostatic timer. Whole set up can be done fir around £300 . Timer is around 80 and silent pump is about 100 too
your be nice and warm mate and in control of bills
I use a cheap electric THROW blanket during the day - very cheap to run - gets warm, but not hot and wear fingerless gloves indoors, thermal leggings and a fleece if needed. Fingerless gloves are a lifesaver.
Thanks for a great update Ivan, hope the panel heaters work out well for you. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, a heat pump would be perfect for you. I’ve just fitted one in my large conservatory and it’s been brilliant. You don’t need to get rip off “F” registered engineers to fit it if you buy a propane (R290) one. It will easily heat the van in the winter and cool it the summer. They have a 400% efficiency rating, meaning every 1kw of electricity you use it gives you 4kw of heat. It will cost you about £700. Look at appliance direct, and their easy fit air con units as they are the R290 ones. They’re absolutely brilliant and cost peanuts to run, we set ours to 21 degrees and it kicks in and out as needed. We’ve spent thousands on wood and coal trying to heat it over the years and it was either too cold or too hot….not anymore!!!
be careful with wrapping around the bottom of your van, properly fitted skirts are designed to allow ventilation.
We've been staying in a rental caravan this week and I've had the central heating on every morning and evening. All the static owners we've known over the years who don't have centrally heated vans will close down by the October half term at the very latest as it gets too chilly. A lot of vans used to have panel heaters fitted before central heating became a thing. Should be quite effective. Can you buy a freestanding electric towel rail as well?
love your video dont know why ive never been i one or had a caravan lol
You could get a heated towel rail for the bathroom that would work as a radiator and warm the towel too
I think you need to try your gut feeling first, I think the wrap is a great idea.. let's be honest, we come from a generation who scraped the ice off the inside of the window with our finger nails 😮 Yep good old days 🎉 be happy 😊 x😊
I remember that ice well 😅
Hi Ivan , don't totally discount oil heater they are so versatile as you can move them from room to room in my opinion use your panel heaters and get 1 oil heater
All the best Andy Sloan
We have a new caravan in Wales enquired about a log burner was told no we not allowed one because everyone would want one and the smell would be unbearable so we just have a calor gas heater which works well for us and very warm . we also have central heating but we find the centre heating that runs of a gas bottle 19kg which last about 5 days so we only use central heating when really cold
It demonstrates how you are at the mercy of the site owners preferences.
Check with your insurance company before you put steaks in ground and use pallet wrap. Some on our site did similar with garden trestle. Then found out it invalidated the insurance due to it not been one of the named items to use around the base. Fire safety. Next just be careful with adding extra heaters. Make sure you are not overloading the electric circuit. Otherwise it will keep tripping out and not just yours.
Have you looked at infrared heating panels?
Hi you have got some great ideas and l think you have got it sorted. I have head it's going to be a mild winter. So that will be better for you.and you have got each other to keep you warm. Look forward to seeing it when you get it all finished. Hope you have a Lovely weekend. X❤❤
Mild according to who exactly ? Most weather forecasters, who are extremely intelligent people, don't have a clue what's coming 10 days from now. Yes they are educated and have studied the subject for many years. They use numerous computer models of the weather and go with the ones that vaguely correspond with each other. Mother nature will never be an exact science...
Sounds like a very good idea tbh with you.
The decoration you speak of. I just purchased more of the material type green leaf which I believe to look more realistic with uv protection 10ft long x 20" cost approx. £2.60 via Temu. Bought some this past spring time and has weathered brilliantly. (Checked each leaf was pushed in as some were not quite secured down before putting up)
Is it feasible to insulate the underside of the caravan? Lot of work but it would keep the floor warmer. Glad to hear that you're going to enclose the sides-great idea.
Silly question but would it be possible to run some electric rads of solar power?
I have 3x 360w tube heaters in a one bed bungalow.
Absolutely brilliant,they use about 12p per hour electricity.
6 feet long ones
chines diesel heaters are amazing & cheep
Be interesting to see the outcome good luck Iven whether your ideas pay off or not . All the very best to you both. Tim. Ps i have only holidayed in a static caravan in the summer month's. 😊
3 jumpers & lay in bed they don't retain the heat overnight... mine had central heating too
I am sure you could install a small log burner, I have seen them in canal barges, motor homes and even garden sheds.
Keep your van as DRY as possible .... avoid heating which produces moisture like a gas fire ...
I run a dehumidifier and low energy tubular heaters ...
Fabrics absorb moisture which cause cold and damp ...
Turning on the gas fire first thing quickly warms up that end of the van and doesnt need to be on for very long.
Gas is prepaid which helps with budgeting
Are all your pipes insulated underneath?
I have lived in a static and if I was to do it again I would defo have central heating and I’ve tried everything, you will only stay barely warm if you use anything else
Maybe give a company called northern polytunnel's a call a get a sheet of good polytunnel plastic and use that to block the cold out then add your decorative bits to that itvwoild be more durable and last longer...just an idea
❤😊xxxx love Carol
Stick silver kitchen foil to the walls behind the panel heaters to reflect the heat into the room and prevent it disappearing straight out through the walls ….
bad idea 💡 will cause condensation and maybe a fire hazard check insurance policy , insulate the van flooring leave air flowing 👍
Ekofuel burners are good and fairly cheap.
You can't beat getting into a warm bed heated by an electric blanket for half an hour or so before you get in it and if you are just sitting on the sofa watching telly in an evening an electric throw will keep you toasty and is cheap to run.
@@chrysalis4126 I agree I use an electric over blanket, brilliant and cheap to run, put a tv on the bedroom wall, cheaper option, Argos sell good overblankets
You seem to be taking all the sensible steps to keep your caravan warm without going overboard on install costs. However I think you'll find the running costs expensive, Central heating is much more efficient. As an example my caravan has central heating and my friend has a gas fire and panel heaters. He uses 3 times more gas bottles than me just using the gas fire. Obviously you need to factor in the age of caravan and pay back time of CH.
When we had our centrally heated caravan I must be honest wasn’t always needed . Heat the room you’re in the living room , put your electric blanket on an hour before you go to bed and a small panel heater should be fine to warm the bedroom before you go to bed . Run the shower before you get in to save shivering waiting then put your towelling robe on and get dressed in the warm room. Treat yourself to two Amazon heat pads they’re a game changer to shove up your jumper when you’re cooking or put the kettle on. Not worth spending thousands on heating the van its already depreciating like a car .
You will be surprised how effective your gas fire is and just how cost effective they are it's a shame most properties no longer have gas fires nowadays.
I'm sure gas is more expensive than electricity...
The main problem is condensation / damp
You probably know this already, but f you use any electric portable heaters they must be plugged in directly into wall sockets. Never use power strips or extension cords. I have a friend whose vacation home was destroyed by fire in winter because thet had an electric heater plugged into a power strip.
I've known people use hay or straw bales on the outside of the walls.
Electric throws are great cheap to run
Panel heaters can be expensive to run panel heaters with clay hold the heat better.
thats a good idea needs must i say do what you can to stay alive
How cold does it get there?
What's central eating
Don’t use pallet wrap use bubble wrap
Personal I would not of brought the electric wall heaters I’ve been in static 5 years old van single glazing
Go with 300wat oil heaters you will heat at average 250 watts but once hot they click in and out as to wall heater will burn your money, also use low wat dehumidifier
Why don't you just move to Spain during the winter months.
Friends of ours bought a new double width mobile home and they had never been so cold. It had 2x47kg LPG gas bottles, combi boiler and rads. Around 4 years ago was costing £60 a week in gas plus electric for oil fires. They had lived in Northern France with no central heating but had a woodburner. Unfortunately they are not insulated enough for all year use. The mobile home was Isle Of Wight. Sold it on after a year, 18 months and moved to a house.
Absolutely…winter in a caravan is not for the faint hearted….regardless of it having CH, double glazing etc…the floor vents cause many draughty spots….too bleak for me.
I bought a panel heater still in box 60 p a hour I would by one and test it if I were u im sure u can buy oil on wall.... I wasted 150 pound on it not cheap one
You don’t need central heating , calor gas heaters are the only way forward it’ll change your life.
Calor gas heating only causes condensation in a van,same as if you put the little gas fire on,best with oil filled radiators which is a dry heat
Not cost effective any more use to be cheap now 45p a hour when electric was 30p a kw cheaper to use electrical 30p
You could have it on one bar and you can move it around.
Them panel heaters could be ove expensive to run as electric isn’t cheap when you’re heating something up
@@christinethompson3579 Get yourself an oil filled heater instead, that gas heater gonna destroy with condensation
Bubble rap?
I laid 25mm insulation on the floor all through my caravan. Topped with carpet. I skirted all round the outside with sleepers.
I heat the van with a free standing gas fire in living area, a small oil radiator in the bedroom. In a cold winter I use one 13kg calorgas bottle per month. Done it for 6 years.
I also lined my cupboards with foil roll. Never had damp.
Regularly use an electric blanket when really cold.
Others said I would freeze......no, I monitor my van at 20oC.
Why not buy a cheap chinese diesel heater itke run gor 10p an hour. 2ndvyearcwe useingbours in the cottage duperb x
Why can't you use diesel heater?also you could use foil insulation,pin it to your ceilings might look daft, but if you're not entertaining who cares,
Diesels heaters
We live in a caravan we have double glazing skirting all round the van air conditioning unit that blows out hot air and central heating we have ekectric blankets and a gas fire and we are still freezing in the winter because yhe fuel bills are so huge we have to be so careful.and now no fuel. Allowance!!!!!!!!!!!