Everything You Need To Know About Caravan Diesel Heaters

What Are My Heating Options?

As with any home, there are many ways to heat your caravan, and every owner will have a different opinion on which option they think is the best. Some van owners like the all-in-one functionality of a reverse cycle air conditioner, while others prefer an old-fashioned LPG heater or even compact electric bar heaters. If your goal is simply to warm up your caravan then any of these options will do, but each of them has drawbacks that prevent it from being the ideal heating option when you're on the road.

Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner

Reverse cycle air conditioners are capable of producing hot air as well as cold and are great if you want one device to use in both winter and summer. However, like any air conditioner, they can be power-hungry and need good battery reserves or a mains connection to run around the clock.

LPG Heater

Most caravan owners will already have an LPG connection on their van and likely travel with a gas bottle to use for cooking. LPG is great for cooking and can be used in a gas heater the same as you would at home, although you will deplete your bottles far faster than if you were just using them to cook for an hour or two each night.

What Are Caravan Diesel Heaters?

Caravan diesel heaters are an increasingly popular way of heating caravans or RVs. As they run off diesel, fuel is much easier to find on long trips than LPG and there is no trade-off in terms of power or fuel consumption like you will get with a reverse cycle air conditioner.

How Does A Caravan Diesel Heater Work?

Caravan diesel heaters work by drawing cold cabin air in through an intake vent and passing it through a heat exchanger, which uses diesel combustion to heat up the air. This warm air is then driven by a fan and distributed throughout your caravan through a number of ducts before the process is repeated again.

How Safe Are Diesel Heaters In Caravans?

Diesel heaters are incredibly safe to use inside your caravan, for several reasons. Diesel is extremely difficult to ignite, so there is no chance of an accidental fire or explosion in the event of a leak. Additionally, any diesel that leaked from your fuel line would simply drip onto the ground under the RV where it can be easily cleaned up. Finally, there is no risk of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from using a diesel heater as the combustion takes place inside a sealed combustion chamber before the exhaust is safely vented outside the vehicle.

Where Is The Best Place To Put A Diesel Caravan Heater?

Where you choose to install your diesel heater will depend on the layout of your caravan, but most people prefer to install them under the dinette or underneath the bed. This is done to allow the air intake to easily draw cold air from the bottom of the caravan and also to keep things tidy and out of sight.

The heating unit itself has a compact design but you will need to allow space around it to connect the ducting and intake pipe, so try to position it somewhere that is not being used for storage or other appliances.

Are Diesel Caravan Heaters Easy To Install?

Diesel Heaters are easy to install with the right tools and knowledge, and the right model will not impact your floorplan. However, if you choose the route of DIY you may find that incorrect installation voids your warranty and may impact the effectiveness of your heater. One of the main issues with DIY installation is often that they are incorrectly fitted and they present with overvoltage issues and exhibit strong fuel scents. For added peace of mind consider getting your diesel heater fitted by a professional repairer.

Can You Run A Diesel Caravan Heater All Night?

You can absolutely run a diesel heater all night long. One of the advantages that modern diesel heaters have over other heating options is the degree of control and programmability they offer. Diesel heaters from brands such as Eberspacher are fitted with microprocessors that allow you to select different heating modes and timer settings, while a fully automatic thermostat will adjust the heat and fan speed to maintain a constant temperature. This level of control means you can 'set and forget' and leave the diesel heater to run all night long without overheating.

Are Caravan Diesel Heaters Noisy?

Although many improvements have been made in recent years to reduce noise, they are not totally silent. However, most of the noise is produced when the heater is warming up - once it is at temperature, the most you are likely to hear is a faint whirring from the intake and output vents.

The sound of a ticking fuel pump used to be a source of irritation for many owners but brands like Eberspacher have eliminated this issue and ensured quiet operation with redesigned fans and blower nozzles. It is also worth noting that there will be some noise outside your vehicle due to the exhaust pipe, though this will be minor.

Are Diesel Heaters Fuel Efficient?

Caravan diesel heaters are incredibly fuel-efficient and have a very low rate of fuel consumption. They do require a diesel fuel tank to be fitted outside your caravan but these take up very little space and only need to be refilled occasionally. One of the greatest advantages of a diesel heater is that you can find fuel anywhere, even in the most remote corners of the country.

How Much Electricity Does A Diesel Heater Use?

As they run mostly off diesel fuel, diesel heaters use very little electricity and only require it to drive the fans and intake. Most of the electricity drawn is used to bring the heater up to temperature and power consumption is low following startup. The actual power drain will vary between models but most diesel heaters will draw between 8 and 10 amps on startup and between 1 and 2 amps depending on their run time.

Which Caravan Diesel Heater Should I Buy?

As with every caravan-related purchase, the final decision will depend on your budget, needs and individual preferences. There are many different manufacturers and models on the market, ranging from budget copy heaters to top-of-the-line European brands such as Eberspacher. For any owner that is serious about a long-term heating solution, we recommend Eberspacher due to their quality and reliability.

Designed and manufactured in Germany, Eberspacher is known as the Mercedes Benz of diesel heaters and their Airtronic range is renowned for its exceptional performance.