Your van conversion will only ever be as comfortable as you make it, having reliable heating is essential to creating a cosy home on wheels.
Typically there are 4 types of heating you can use in a campervan; gas, diesel, electrical and wood. You will need to consider the pros and cons when choosing which type of heating you should use.
When looking at heating options for your campervan or van conversion, you should consider the size of your van, how much installation will be, the cost and availability of fuel and the reliability/maintenance costs of your chosen option.
So, to help you decide, we have put together a summary of each heating option along with their pros and cons.
Diesel heater
As the most common heating system used in a campervan or van conversion, a diesel heater is reliable and convenient when it comes to providing enough heat to warm up an enclosed space.
Pros
They are fuel-efficient
You’ll find with your diesel heater that you won’t need to use too much fuel to get the heat you need – on average, a typical model will use between 24-28ml of diesel fuel per hour, per 2kW of heat generated.
If your van runs on diesel, as most do, then you’ll also see a number of benefits when you decide to use a diesel heater. You’re unlikely to run out of fuel on the road for your heater as it’s easy to find diesel when travelling at home and abroad, and you can also run a fuel line directly from the diesel night heater to your onboard fuel tank if you’re ever running short.
They are extremely safe
Diesel night heaters are very safe to use in a campervan as all the waste gases used are safely piped to the outside of the vehicle – ultimately making diesel night heaters risk-free. All of the warm air used to heat your space up will be completely safe as it comes from the interior.
Additionally, most modern models have built-in safety features that shut down the machine if any problems are detected. For extra peace of mind, the heater can also be mounted outside of your vehicle.
They are incredibly convenient
Diesel heaters are known for being extremely convenient to run, especially when you use the digital thermostat to regulate your heating. The thermostat allows you to set the temperature to a consistent one and also to program the heater to come on at a specific time. 7-day timers are also beneficial and run on a remote start – it couldn’t be simpler!
Cons
They can let off a smell
Depending on how close you are to the heater, you may notice that the heater lets off an odour when first ignited. From inside the vehicle, this is minimal as all air has been heated up from the interior and recirculated.
Near the exhaust of the heater outside of the vehicle, you might notice the smell of diesel during the ignition process. However, this is only temporary and will subside once the heater is fully operational.
They can be noisy
You may notice that your diesel night heater can be quite noisy when it’s operating. You’ll hear this a lot more if you’ve placed the heater near your living space – however, the sound is consistent but the volume tends to be minimal. Most campervan users who have diesel heaters say that the sound is one you can get used to pretty quickly and comfortably sleep through.
Maintenance can be pricey
Diesel heaters, especially older models, need to be serviced regularly in order to keep them safe to use and in full running condition and this can be costly. Additionally, as most models use a bit more electricity than a gas heater, many users install solar panels to keep their electricity levels consistent – this can also be quite pricey initially, with costs lowering as you use the panels more frequently,
Bearing in mind that the heaters themselves can cost between £600 – £2000 already, diesel heaters may not be the option for you if you’re on a tight budget.
Gas heater
Fuelled by canisters or a tank either inside or outside your vehicle, gas heaters are known for their efficiency and ease of use. Although they aren’t as visually appealing as other heaters such as wood burners, they still remain one of the most popular heating solutions on the market.
Pros
They are easy and quick to use
You’ll find that the gas heater is extremely quick to heat the air up to the temperature you need. Controlled via a thermostat, a gas heater can maintain the right temperature for your vehicle without you having to keep changing it. It will also reignite automatically when needed and, as you can keep it on overnight, it saves you waking up freezing cold in the winter!
They are efficient to run
As well as being great to use during freezing temperatures, it’s also important to remember that gas heaters are easy and affordable to refill and run. Gas tends to be an inexpensive fuel source and, if using auto-gas, you’ll find that it’s easy to locate fuel when you need to refill your tank. Average costs are around £15-25 a month to refill a 20l tank, so you can rest assured that it won’t drain your bank account.
Cons
They can be noisy
Gas heaters can be quite noisy when kept inside the van, however, this can be improved with sound muffling ducting.
Costs can vary
Despite their efficiency, the price of gas heaters can vary wildly depending whether you go for an underslung LPG Auto tank (the more costly option) or an internal Butane bottle.
The refill point on the outside is fairly consistent in Europe and the UK and tends to be cheaper per litre. An internal cylinder is generally cheaper to install but may need to be changed when you go abroad – this isn’t often very practical.
Electric fan heater
As one of the environmental options on the market, an electric fan heater will provide you with all the heat you need for your campervan without costing the Earth – literally. If you always stay at campsites when travelling, this could be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Pros
They are great for the environment
If you’re eco-conscious, an electric fan heater could be the solution for you. Electric fan heaters are one of the most environmentally-friendly campervan heating options out there. Using the heater produces no CO2, making the electric heater the only completely emission-free source of heat for your vehicle.
They heat up quickly
Another benefit of electric campervan heaters is their ability to quickly provide an instant, lasting source of heat without any long start-up processes. To maximise the heating potential, we’d also suggest choosing to install an electric heater with a fan so that the heat can be circulated quickly around your vehicle.
Cons
They are not very energy-efficient
The one core issue you’ll find with electric heaters is the fact that they’re not very energy efficient – typically running on 230 volts of mains power. This renders this type of heater unsuitable for you if you want to rely on your battery for a longer period of time, even if you have a compatible built-in inverter. Essentially, you’d benefit most from an electric heater if you tend to stay at campsites where you can connect your camper to the mains supply.
Wood burner heater
Now more than ever, more wood burner manufacturers and enthusiasts are building stoves designed to fit into compact spaces. There’s no wonder, really – alongside generating the right amount of heat for your vehicle, the feel of having a real fire crackling is one that appeals to most of us.
Pros
They are simple yet effective
One of the main reasons people tend to go for wood burner heaters is how simple they are to run – all you need to do is find dry wood, set it alight and enjoy the heat. The dry heat given out by the fire is fantastic for drying your wet clothes and footwear. However, the main draw for a lot of people is the feel of a wood burner – it’s extremely cosy and the sound of a burning fire is fantastic
They are cheap to buy and maintain
You don’t have to worry about being left out of pocket when it comes to buying a wood burner. You can expect to pay anywhere between £100-£300 for a 2kw unit and, as there’s nothing electrical to go wrong, you can expect maintenance to be minimal.
Similarly, fuel is cheap and easy to source whilst travelling. You can either scavenge dry wood or buy it ready-to-burn, making the running process very cost-effective.
Cons
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a risk
You will need to be wary of the carbon monoxide risks when operating your wood burner. The levels can be up to 100 times higher than that of a typical gas cooker. Most of the time, when the stove is lit, the gases created will escape through the chimney which removes the risk completely. However, it’s important to keep your burner maintained as if the equipment fails, the gases could escape into your vehicle which is extremely dangerous.
You’ll need to consider safety more carefully
If not used with care, a wood burner poses a number of risks including fires spreading out of control. A chimney fire can quickly develop if the burner isn’t regularly maintained and monitored, meaning occupants could risk injury and losing their vehicle and belongings.
When travelling you may notice that, despite abiding by all the required safety regulations, not all campsites will allow you to use your wood burner on site. Similarly, you might also find that some insurers don’t cover fire if caused by a wood burner, so it’s important to check with your provider beforehand.
They can take up a lot of space
Although wood burners look and smell fantastic, it’s worth mentioning that you’ll need to be prepared for it to take up more space than you might have originally thought. Alongside the burner itself, you’ll also need to find the storage space for the wood and somewhere to collect the ash and embers so you can dispose of them properly.
We hope this handy guide has given you enough insight into deciding which heater is the one for you and your camper.
If you need any further info, please contact us today!