Electricity vs gas

[Russellvh]

I was wondering if someone could share some experience. I try to avoid below freezing weather but not 100% possible. I have an electric fireplace / heater and a propane furnace with duct work in the under the floor area. Use full hookup in parks.

How can I set the furnace thermostat so that I am warm inside, mostly, from the electricity but be sure the pluming is safe?

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I was wondering if someone could share some experience. I try to avoid below freezing weather but not 100% possible. I have an electric fireplace / heater and a propane furnace with duct work in the under the floor area. Use full hookup in parks.

How can I set the furnace thermostat so that I am warm inside, mostly, from the electricity but be sure the pluming is safe?

If your water heater is electric use it then you can purchase heat pads for your holding tanks if they are accessible or like me, I have a motor home so I have electric heat in my wet bay set to keep the temp around 40F.

Facon 2 Pack 12x18" Heater Pad Automatic Therma for RV Camper Trailer Water Tank | eBay

Your gas furnace will not fire if the thermostat is set lower than what your electric heat puts out thus you holding tanks become endangered.

Darrell

 

[AbdRahim]

I put remote thermometers in the bays with water plumbing. I get the room comfortable with the electric heaters. Then set the furnace thermostat close enough tothe room temperature so that the furnace runs fir about 10-15 minutes several times during the night. My bays stay about 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature at freezing temperatures 28 degrees F.).
Using remote thermometers will give you a better idea of how much you have to run the furnace.

It is not a bad idea to let the water drip (very slowly) in your furthest faucet, to help prevent freezing in the lines. If your dump valve is exposed to the outside, you may want to dump some RV antifreeze in the waste tanks and let some run past the valve.

 

[Russellvh]

If your water heater is electric use it then you can purchase heat pads for your holding tanks if they are accessible or like me, I have a motor home so I have electric heat in my wet bay set to keep the temp around 40F.

Facon 2 Pack 12x18" Heater Pad Automatic Therma for RV Camper Trailer Water Tank | eBay

Your gas furnace will not fire if the thermostat is set lower than what your electric heat puts out thus you holding tanks become endangered.

Darrell

Rollin, thanks for the help. Can you clarify a little on the comment about using my water heater. My water heater is electric always on and I can, also, heat with propane. We usually only use the propane for faster recovery if wife and I need to take showers one after another. Not enough room in shower for together.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Rollin, thanks for the help. Can you clarify a little on the comment about using my water heater. My water heater is electric always on and I can, also, heat with propane. We usually only use the propane for faster recovery if wife and I need to take showers one after another. Not enough room in shower for together.

Please accept my apology. I should not have second guessed your water heater usage. You made no comment about it's use and I just wanted to make sure that it was not going to be neglected and thus subject to it freezing.

We are from Canada and have been full timing for the last seven years. We spent a COVID winter in our coach with temps that dropped to minus 30F. We survived quite well and learned lots. If you have any other questions, I'm more than happy to share.

Safe travels

Darrell