Finding a Small Vented Propane Heater For RV (Helpful Guide)
When you pay a lot of money for an expensive RV or travel trailer, you expect every appliance to work perfectly. However, this is not always the case as some furnaces are not the best they can be. That is when you start looking for an alternative heating source.
While it may be easier to find a small heater that can be used inside an RV, there are some versions that produce a good amount of heat that can have the fumes vented to the outside. They can produce up to 20,000 BTUs in some cases.
To learn more about this product and where to find them, just continue to read our article. It provides the information you need to know so you can find a great backup heating system when your furnace drains the battery or does not work all night.
Vented Propane Heater 101
How Does a Vented Propane Heater Work?
The process is simple and straightforward. You need a propane fuel supply and a good igniter to light that fuel. Then as the fuel burns, the heat is released through a fan that sends the heat out into your RV either directly or through different vents.
Even a propane heater will need electricity to work at some point. So you will have to have either a battery or an outlet to connect the heater to. The electrical connection runs the fan and other components that propane cannot run to make the heater work.
These heaters are also connected to vents to keep the fumes from overwhelming you when you are sleeping. The vents can be placed just about anywhere close to the heater. These vents should be large enough to handle the discharge or exhaust.
However, no matter how great the heater is, you should have a couple of Carbon Monoxide detectors near by to warn you of any possible danger. You need to make sure you have all the correct safety devices before you install the heater.
Then double-check the vent to make sure it does not get any obstructions blocking the escape of the exhaust, etc.
Buying a Small Vented Propane Heater For RV
One thing is for sure, you will have to filter out a variety of different types of heaters to get to the best-vented options. There are a lot of different space heaters available at the different big box and local hardware stores. Whether they are vented or not is a matter of reading the packaging.
When you start your search, you will need a few tips to guide you as you go from store to store. here are some of those tips:
1. Price- make sure they are affordable- usually, the best-vented heaters are going to cost you more as the more expensive models will have all the components you need.
2. Brand- in this case, the brand makes a big difference. Off brands may be cheaper but then they may be of inferior quality. Go with a reputable company so you know you are getting the best model possible.
3. Size- these heaters come in different sizes making it easy to find one small enough for a Class B RV and one larger enough for a Class A RV or trailer. You will want one that puts out enough BTUs and is rated for your size of RV
4. Heating power- check the BTUs before you buy. If it doe snot put out enough heat, then it will not help you in a larger RV or trailer. For smaller RVs, etc., the low BTU level is okay but you need to get into double figures for larger RVs, etc.
5. Design- if they do not attach to your wall, make sure they have a no-tip design. That design will help prevent fires from happening accidentally. You do not have to worry about those units that attach directly to the wall of your RV, etc if installed correctly, they are not going anywhere.
6. Noise level- try to find a model that doe snot make a lot of noise. That has been a priority for the different manufacturers of RV equipment for some time so there are quiet models available.
7. Safety features- make sure the model you buy comes with the latest and best safety features possible. There is some risk to using propane vented heaters so make sure you cover those bases.
8. Operating features- each unit is designed to have different operating features. These are up to your personal preferences.
Direct Vent RV Heater Options
In researching this topic, it was interesting to see that many of the top 10 best lists included on-demand water heaters in their vented space heater lists. This is one of the difficulties you may come across when you do your own research.
We found vented lists but many times the members of that list were non-vented models as well as vented ones. You will have to do some careful reading to make sure you are looking at the right unit.
There is one model, made by Martin, that reaches 20,000 BTUs and has a nice design to it that complements your RV’s interior. To vent it properly, your wall needs to be 4 1/2 inches thick minimum and no more than 12 5/8 inches thick.
It will weigh 50 pounds and has a size of 22.7 x 26 x 8.3 inches. Another model would be Ashley Hearth and that company sells a sealed propane gas heater that is not complicated to install or vent.
Its 17,500 BTU power can heat almost 600 square feet and it measures 20 x 17 3/4 by 6 3/4 inches. the model also weighs almost 60 pounds. The same company also makes a top-quality 11,000 BTU unit that heats almost 400 square feet of space.
The unit is not much smaller than the 17,500 BTU unit but it weighs about 15 pounds less. Suburban also makes one and its power can reach up to 35,000 BTU but it looks quite large and heavy.
Mr. Heater may make some but the models we saw were vent-free styles. We would suggest you contact the different heating supply stores, hardware stores, and the big box outfits, along with some RV parts & accessories stores to find the perfect model for your RV situation.
These professionals will give you a lot more details on the different brands and units than can be placed here.
Where to buy vented propane Heaters
Amazon seems to be the go-to marketplace when you want a direct vent space heater for your RV. That business sells the Ashley Hearth models that need venting and a few different brands whose models are vent-free.
There is the RV upgrade store that should have some models available for you to look at. Then there are independent heating stores that sell the Martin and other brands. The big box stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and similar outlets will have a nice selection for you to look at.
Also, you can check with Suburban to see if they sell direct to the public or if you have to go through one of their dealers to get one. we cannot speak to the price very well as the prices for the different models will be different at different stores.
As an example, Amazon has the Ashley Hearth models on sale between $350 and $500 approx. Suburban listed about 4 different furnace series on their website but they did not list a price for them.
If you are looking to save money, we do not suggest that you go to those discount stores that sell off-brand models. While you may save initially, later on, you may find out that they are more costly to run and repair. Top brand models are the way to go especially when you need parts.
Using Propane Heater in RVs
You have to be careful when using one of these models even if they are made from a top brand. One of the main concerns will be carbon monoxide. While the top brands work hard to eliminate this risk or danger, you will still need a carbon monoxide detector in your RV. Or maybe two of them.
Check all the safety features as the Mr. Heater options come with an oxygen cut-off sensor and a tip-over cut-off switch. These types of safety features come n handy especially if you are sound asleep.
Then make sure to get the heater that is rated for your size of RV or trailer. While you do not want one too small, having one too big may be too much heat for anyone to handle. Also, you may not have the space to place it if it is too large.
The type of heater that needs to be vented outside is the models that are made with a catalytic burning system. You will have to find the right spot for the heater and make sure nothing is behind the walls so you can vent the unit correctly.
This is going to be a concern as many of these heaters need to be attached to a wall. If you cut through any wiring or piping, you will be looking at a more expensive repair.
Are Vented Propane Heaters Safe?
For the most part, yes, they are safe to own and operate. They come with a variety of safety features that are designed to protect you and your family. The key when searching for one, is to find one with the best and most up-to-date safety features possible.
Carbon monoxide is on everyone’s mind when they look at propane heaters. But if the space heater is properly maintained, then the internal combustion chamber should work at ideal levels and keep carbon monoxide from forming.
This dangerous gas is the result of an incomplete gas combustion process that takes place when the furnace is not adjusted correctly. Solve those issues and you should have no fear of carbon monoxide poisoning.
But to be on the safe side, as you never know when something bad takes place and the mechanism is thrown off a bit, install some top-quality carbon monoxide detectors to protect yourself and your family.
Look at the safety features before you buy and the most reputable companies will have the best options on their heater models.
Do Vented Propane Heaters Cause Condensation?
No. If you want to avoid moisture build-up and condensation, then the type of space heater you want is a vented model. The reason for saying that is that these types of heaters vent everything outside.
The type of heaters you have to worry about adding moisture and condensation to the air is the vent-free models. It has been said that the vent-free models expel about 1.6 pounds of moisture for every pound of propane they burn.
The drawback to using a vented heater is that you need a constant supply of oxygen inside your RV for them to work at top levels. Some direct-vent heaters get their air from the outside but many do not.
They take the oxygen from inside the room and use it for their combustion process. That system could cause you a few problems if you do not leave a window or vent open to the outside.
Some Final Words
You should be able to find a great vented propane heater just about anywhere heaters are sold. The key is to get them from a reputable company and brand. That way if anything does go wrong, you have a strong company backing up their product and warranty.
Just be careful when you do your research, different reviewers' mix in water heaters and vent-free heaters with other heaters that may or may not be mentioned as direct vent heaters. Do some good research before you buy and make sure your RV walls are thick enough.
