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Camper heating - heating with electricity, diesel or gas?
Anyone who forgets to switch on the auxiliary heating before going to bed when camping in April and then wakes up in the morning with ice-cold feet and an even colder nose in the roof tent (completely made up scenario) will not make the same mistake again.
In our opinion at least, a functioning heater is more or less indispensable when camping in spring, autumn or winter.
Heaters for your camper are available in various designs, both in terms of the type of heat transfer to the living space and the energy source. You can find the most important features, advantages and disadvantages of the various models here.
⚠️ Important note: Our article is intended to provide you with helpful tips, but cannot replace professional help and advice. If you have any questions or require detailed advice, please contact an expert so as not to jeopardise your safety.
Differences in heat transfer
Air heater
Circulation heaters and direct heaters are so-called air heaters and heat the inside of your camper via a burner.
Circulation heaters
Circulation heaters are equipped with a fan that distributes the warm air generated in the vehicle. A hose system ensures even distribution. The air exits at various points and thus also reaches separate areas, such as a built-in wet room.
Advantages:
Even distribution of heat in the camper
Circulating air heaters remain reasonably cool despite heating and emit hardly any waste heat, so they can also be concealed in storage compartments
Disadvantages:
Fan requires electricity and makes noise
Direct heating systems
Direct heaters also heat the air inside the heater. It then passes through louvres into the living area of your camper - direct heaters do not require a fan, but they can be extended with a fan. However, as with a circulation heater, you will then need electricity to operate it. Direct heaters are usually fuelled by gas and must be placed openly in the living space; they must not be covered, blocked or completely encased. To ensure that the heater does not stand out from the rest of the camper interior, there is often the option of choosing from different panelling options.
Advantages
Easy installation
Comparatively inexpensive
Low maintenance requirements
Disadvantages:
The warm air must be distributed in the room independently, without the support of a fan and hose system, which is why direct heaters are less suitable for larger campers or motorhomes
You must not completely cover a direct heater or hang or block it up
In a hot water heating system, water is first heated within the heating system, which then releases its heat into the environment - similar to central heating systems in the home. The whole thing works with the help of a boiler fuelled by either gas or electricity. A mixture of water and glycol circulates within the heating system, making regular maintenance necessary. Water heaters can even be installed as underfloor heating systems (but beware: although they keep your feet warm, they don't really affect the overall room temperature).
Advantages:
Even heat distribution
While driving, the waste heat from the vehicle engine can be used for heating, as the heater can be connected to the engine's cooling circuit
Cool accessories ensure optimum heat utilisation: an additional fan convector, for example, distributes the warm air in storage compartments and cupboards, keeping your clothes warm and dry
Disadvantages:
Comparatively expensive to purchase and complex to installRegular maintenance required
Relatively large and heavy
Different energy sources for camping heaters
Camping heaters can be fuelled with gas, electricity or diesel. There are advantages and disadvantages to each energy source and different things to consider. For example, your expected travel destinations and holiday times are important for your choice, but other factors can also play a role.
Gas heating system
The classic among camper heaters.
Advantages:
You often have gas with you anyway, because appliances such as the cooker are operated with it
Most of the time it is not difficult to get supplies: you can buy gas cylinders in camping shops, DIY stores and even at some petrol stations (it is best to always have two gas cylinders on board)
Easy to use
Comparatively low purchase costs
Disadvantages:
Gas cylinders take up a relatively large amount of space and must be stored safely
Increased transport weight, as the cylinders are heavy
It may be that an adapter is required abroad to fill German gas cylinders, just like when using gas cylinders purchased abroad in the camper, as some of the connections are different
Proper handling should always be ensured when heating with gas to prevent deflagrations or explosions. Not all gas heaters are suitable for use in enclosed spaces. Other standards must also be met, for example the gas cylinders must be stored vertically in a separate cylinder cabinet. Rely on certified heaters, professional installation, correct operation and regular inspections to ensure your safety. You can read more about the regulations here. To feel even safer, you can also consider purchasing a gas and carbon monoxide alarm.
Gas heaters can be installed as both air and water heaters. Whatever form they take, as soon as a gas heater is fitted with a fan, you will also need electricity to operate it. Electricity consumption can be quite high, especially in winter. If you use electricity in addition to your gas heater, you should take particular care to ensure that your battery does not discharge when stationary. You should also always keep an eye on the fill level of your gas cylinder.
Diesel heaters are usually operated using the motorhome or camper's fuel tank. If necessary and if there is enough space, a separate diesel tank can also be installed in the motorhome for the heater.
Advantages:
Easy availability of the energy source - you shouldn't really have any difficulty finding diesel when travelling, even in remote regions (the sulphur content can vary, however, which can be stupid for the engine and heater. For the most part, this is not a problem within Europe; you can find an overview of diesel quality here)
A diesel heater is practical for smaller campers where there is simply no space for gas cylinders and who only need a small, space-saving gas cartridge for cooking (an electrically powered compressor refrigerator also makes this possible)
Low consumption with good heating performance
Disadvantages:
Just like gas heaters, diesel heaters can be installed as air or water heaters. They require a lot of electricity for the fan or water heating, so for long journeys away from campsites with a secure power supply, you will definitely need a powerful battery and, in the best case, additional solar panels
The purchase is more expensive than a gas heater, but the heating costs tend to be lower -
Older models in particular can smell unpleasant. To avoid this, your diesel heater must run regularly, even if you don't use your camper much or at all
Diesel heaters make a noise when they are running
Incidentally, a petrol heater can also be installed in vehicles that use petrol rather than diesel. This works in a very similar way to a diesel heater.
Electric heating
Electric heaters are mainly installed as auxiliary heaters in motorhomes, but can also be used as the only heater. As they (surprise surprise) consume a lot of electricity and usually only work with 230V, they cannot be operated from the on-board battery. Instead, they work using shore power. The advantage of using shore power - no bottles or fuel to top up - is also a disadvantage, as you are completely dependent on having a shore power connection for heating. And even if there is one, on some campsites the power supply may not be adequately protected and powerful electrical appliances, such as your heater, may overload the fuses. In addition, the high electricity consumption can also be quite expensive, depending on the campsite. Another advantage is that electric heaters do not require a long start-up time - in other words, it gets warm in the vehicle straight away.
Electric heaters as the only heating system therefore only make sense if there is sufficient power supply is guaranteed. As an emergency solution or additional heating, there are mobile electric heaters that can be operated via the battery, as 12V is sufficient. However, they are not suitable for continuous heating in winter due to the load on the battery.
The right choice for your motorhome heater? A matter of taste.
They all have advantages and disadvantages, whether gas, diesel or electric heating. Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself which type of heater (and which model from the various manufacturers) is right for you. It's best if you get detailed advice on site and decide on a heater when you buy your campervan or motorhome, as converting or retrofitting a auxiliary heater can be quite expensive.
