Are you looking for a heater that will work well in your RV? Maybe you’re boondocking and need a powerful heater to keep warm. This blog post reviews the best heaters for RV boondocking. There’s something here for everyone looking for an efficient way to stay warm while RVing or camping with their family this winter.
What is the Best Heater For Rv Boondocking?
To decide on the absolute best heater for rv boondocking, we have examined dozens of rv boondocking heaters and reviews left by real users who bought and used them. Based on what they geniunely shared and experienced, we have shortlisted the top 8 heaters for rv boondocking for you to consider, including their most important features, in order for you to make an informed decision.
On top of that, to make it easier for you, we have also compiled a list of critical things and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to consider before purchasing rv boondocking heaters. You can find later further down in the article. So without further ado, here’s introducing the best heater for rv boondocking.
1. PELONIS PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower
| Specs |
|---|
Price:    (fewer  = cheaper)Weight: 6.3 Pounds (2.9 kg) Size: 23 x 7.2 x 7.2 Inches (58.3 x 18.2 x 18.2 cm) Type: Radiant, Convection Insulation: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Pelonis PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower is one of the most popular space heaters from this brand. Pelonis is a manufacturer of high-quality heating and cooling appliances for domestic and commercial use. The PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower comes highly rated on Amazon for its heat output, portability, and user-friendly digital functions.
The heater uses the convection-style heating method with a PTC ceramic element that warms up to 70°F in three seconds and disperses heat with a quiet operation fan. The tower housing features a close grille to spread the warmth and ABS flame-resistant material that stays cool to touch while in operation.
Furthermore, this space heater features a programmable thermostat and three heating modes that enable you to maintain the desired temperature. The Pelonis PHTPU1501 offers better value for money than the competition as it includes all of the functions you would find in more expensive models. These include a 24 hours timer, a 70-degree oscillation function, and a multi-function remote controller.
Pros
- Excellent build quality with 1-year manufacturer’s warranty,
- Offers better value for money than the competition,
- Three heating settings with a programmable thermostat for comfortable temperature,
- Remote controller and timer allow convenient operation,
- Easy assembly and disassembly for cleaning and maintenance,
- A quiet fan with oscillating heat dispersion warms the space evenly
Cons
- The oscillating degree is less than the competition,
- Too much hysteresis on the thermostat to maintain the exact temperature
2. Mr. Heater F274830 MH18BRV Big Buddy
| Specs |
|---|
Price:      (fewer  = cheaper)Weight: 16.4 Pounds (7.4 kg) Size: 19 x 17.8 x 12 Inches (48.3 x 45.1 x 30.5 cm) Type: Radiant, Convection Insulation: Ceramic |
The Mr. Heater MH18BRV portable heater is a larger model than the MH9BX and heats a space of up to 450 square feet. Like the MH9BX, it will warm your room quickly and maintain it for an extended period. It also features automatic shut-off safety switches if it tips over, detects low energy levels, or if the pilot switch goes out. The MH18BRV connects to two 1-pound propane cylinders with the option of connecting to a remote and larger propane tank. However, the hose and regulator accessories come separately and may be expensive to buy.
This heater features three heat output levels and uses an integrated fan to increase its heating capacity while blending radiant and convection heating for better performance. The heater burns efficiently with almost zero emissions while offering a quiet operation that allows you to use it overnight. Its conventional heating enables heat retention to keep the room warm for a long time. However, it has a 7,000 feet maximum altitude level, but some people have used it at 10,000 feet.
Pros
- Three heat output settings to warm your space quickly,
- Blends radiant and conventional heating for better performance,
- Auto-shutoff features provide safety while in use,
- The integrated fan helps to spread warmth evenly,
- Portable design enables multi-purpose utility
Cons
- It does not come with its accessories,
- The manufacturer has poor customer service,
- Maybe expensive to run as it burns up the propane quickly
3. GiveBest Portable Electric Space Heater with Thermostat
| Specs |
|---|
Price:  (fewer  = cheaper)Weight: 2.2 Pounds (1 kg) Size: 8.3 x 6.3 x 4 Inches (21.1 x 16 x 10.2 cm) Type: Convection Insulation: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts |
The Give Best Portable Heater is one of the best-rated indoor electric heaters available, with over 43,000 ratings on Amazon. It features a 2-in-1 design with two heat settings for cold weather and one cool fan setting to circulate air in the hot seasons. It also features a thermostat control that sets the temperature and enables the appliance to cycle on and off to maintain the thermostat setting. This portable heater is remarkably quiet at 45db for use in any environment.
The heater is suitable for small spaces of up to 200 square feet and can warm up your room in seconds after switching it on. It has the conventional safety features that you would find electric heaters, including overheating and tip-over protection. It also features a flame retardant and impact-resistant construction for durability.
Pros
- Compact portable heater for multi-purpose applications,
- Good build quality at an affordable price,
- Thermostat settings enable low power consumption,
- It has a quiet operation for overnight use,
- 6-foot cord provides a wide range of movement
Cons
- It has a strong toxic smell out of the box,
- May have a short service life
4. COSTWAY Ceramic Heater 1000W/1500W
| Specs |
|---|
Price:    (fewer  = cheaper)Weight: 7 Pounds (3.2 kg) Size: 34 x 11 x 11 Inches (86.4 x 27.9 x 27.9 cm) Type: Convection Insulation: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts |
The Costway Ceramic Heater features a slender profile elevated on a pedestal to enable better heat dispersion in the room. Additionally, it features a 72-degree oscillation to warm the space faster and more evenly for comfort. Like most electric heaters, it comes with tip-over and overheating protection that makes it safe for use with children and pets.
This Costway model features digital functionality and a remote controller for convenience. It comes with three heat adjustments that include high at 1500 watts, low at 1000 watts, and a cool air setting for use in the warm months. The heater has an adjustable thermal range of 50°F to 95°F to regulate the desired ambient temperature. However, you can only adjust it using the remote controller, and it would be an inconvenience if it got lost or stopped working.
Pros
- Elevated design enables faster heat dispersion,
- The oscillation function warms the room more evenly,
- Three fan and heat settings allow flexible use all year round,
- It comes with tip-over and overheating safety protection
Cons
- The thermostat is only adjustable with the remote controller,
- It may have a short shelf life
5. Bovado Oscillating Space Heater
| Specs |
|---|
Price:  (fewer  = cheaper)Weight: 7.1 Pounds (3.2 kg) Size: 23 x 8 x Inches (58.4 x 20.3 x cm) Type: Convection Insulation: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Bovado Oscillating Space Heater features a fast and efficient heating technology that warms up your room evenly while saving on energy costs. It uses convection-style heating with a fan to increase the heating speed and to warm your space faster. The heater also comes with a digital thermostat to maintain ambient temperature for comfort and an ECO mode that adjusts the heat output for efficient energy use. Users note that the ECO function is highly effective as it uses a temperature sensor to regulate between the high and low heat modes to achieve the desired thermal setting.
Additionally, the space heater can adjust the temperature of a 300 square foot space up by 10 degrees in less than 30 minutes, which is better than the competition. The oscillating function helps to disperse heat faster, although the spread angle is narrow compared to other models in this price range. It also comes with a remote control that adds convenience to how you operate the heater.
Pros
- Fast heating action to warm medium-sized rooms in minutes,
- Effective ECO setting to maintain ambient temperature,
- The oscillating function helps to warm spaces evenly,
- The 8-hour timer allows you to pre-set the heater for comfort
Cons
- Poor build quality on the plug and power cord,
- It has loud control beeps and fan clicks
6. Honeywell HeatGenius Ceramic Heater
| Specs |
|---|
Price:    (fewer  = cheaper)Weight: 5.5 Pounds (2.5 kg) Size: 17.2 x 10.2 x 5.9 Inches (43.6 x 25.9 x 15 cm) Type: Radiant, Convection Insulation: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts |
The Honeywell HeatGenius Ceramic Heater is a digital electric heater and one of several models from this brand. It offers six heat settings that allow you to customize the heat output for your needs. Additionally, the heat settings enable you to choose between radiant heating focused on yourself or the floor around the heater and convectional heating that warms the entire room with the touch of a button.
The Quiet Mode is unlike the Fan-Only setting found in other models where the fan blows cool air. This unit produces low heat and fan speed to disperse a little warmth while creating a calming environment with white noise. The heater has a 2-hour auto-shutoff function that users find is convenient, especially when going to sleep.
When activated, the heater reduces heat down a notch every 30 minutes until it shuts off. Plus, it also features a programmable thermostat function to set the temperature you prefer. However, the one function it doesn’t come with is oscillation to enable the heater to warm up your space faster and more evenly.
Pros
- Features six heat settings for personalized comfort,
- The adjustable thermostat helps to maintain preferred temperature,
- Convenient 2-hour shut-off timer for nighttime use,
- Quiet Mode provides soothing warmth and white noise,
- User-friendly controls with a digital display
Cons
- It does not feature oscillating function,
- The temperature sensor is not accurate and affects the thermostat
7. Honeywell Slim Ceramic Tower Heater
| Specs |
|---|
Price:   (fewer  = cheaper)Weight: 4.5 Pounds (2 kg) Size: 21.6 x 8.7 x 6.7 Inches (54.9 x 22.1 x 17 cm) Type: Convection Insulation: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Honeywell Slim Ceramic Tower Heater features a 21.6-inch tower design with a slim profile, making it flexible for use in any space without getting in the way. The unit comes with a broad choice of features for its price range, giving it better value for money than the competition. Additionally, it comes with a user-friendly digital control panel and to make operation easy.
The heater features two heat settings at 1500 watts and 750 watts to choose from, plus the programmable thermostat helps to maintain the temperature setting you desire by cycling the heater on and off. The thermostat automatically works at the high heat setting with a temperature range between 60°F to 85°F. Users note that this feature would have been more versatile if it included a broader temperature range for use in the warm seasons and if it came with remote control for convenience.
However, the heater gets high ratings on its compact and lightweight design, thermostat functionality, and excellent heat output. It comes with a flexible timer function to switch it off when you don’t need it and an 80-degree oscillation function to spread the warmth evenly. The overheating and tip-over safety features are also attractive for people with pets and kids to prevent accidents.
Pros
- Slim profile and lightweight construction for flexible applications,
- Two overheat protection safety features prevent damage from excess heat,
- Adjustable thermostat and oscillating features warm the space evenly,
- Its sturdy base helps prevent vibration while in operation
Cons
- It has a narrow thermostat temperature range,
- It does not come with a remote control
8. TURBRO Suburbs TS17 Compact Electric Fireplace Stove
| Specs |
|---|
Price:      (fewer  = cheaper)Weight: 13 Pounds (5.9 kg) Size: 18 x 15 x 9 Inches (45.7 x 38.1 x 22.9 cm) Type: Convection Heating Capacity: 1400 watts Certifications: CSA Certified |
The Turbro Suburbs TS17 is a freestanding electric stove featuring a vintage fireplace design. It also features a realistic LED burning logs effect that creates a warm ambiance. Plus, one can switch on the LED without turning on the heat, which is a nice feature to use any time of the year. The heater has a 4777BTU heat output that can warm up a 400 square foot space in minutes. It also comes with user-friendly manual controls that include a 1400w heat switch, a power switch, and an adjustable thermostat function.
The thermostat has a temperature range of 65°F to 95°F adjustable to your comfort. However, this unit is manually operated and does not have a timer to auto-shut off when not needed. While that may be an inconvenience, we like that it is elevated and a little heavier than typical space heaters to tip over easily. The heater also features overheating protection for safety, and its exterior housing stays cool during operation, making it safe for use with kids and pets.
Pros
- Vintage design electric stove makes an attractive decoration piece,
- Simple control functions make it easy to operate,
- Exterior housing stays cool to the touch when switched on,
- Burning logs LED effect to create warm ambiance even without the heat,
- Efficient heating capacity for medium-sized rooms,
- It has a quiet operation at 37 decibels
Cons
- It may have a short service life when used heavily,
- It may be too bulky for easy portability
Following all the comparisons, research and information we have gathered about these top heaters for rv boondocking, we can confidently say that PELONIS PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower is the best heater for rv boondocking out in the market.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the GiveBest Portable Electric Space Heater with Thermostat as an affordable alternative.
Lastly, if you are going all the best features with high quality materials and would like to consider all the premium options out there, we will strongly recommend the Mr. Heater F274830 MH18BRV Big Buddy. We look forward to hearing from you in the comments below what are some other models that you might have experienced that are even better!
What You Should Know Before Buying Heaters For Rv Boondocking
Types Of Rv Heaters
RV heaters come in a few different styles. The most common type of RV heater is the Convection style, which uses hot air blowing from a fan to distribute heat around the living area. This style of heater is often either propane-fueled or electric, and it can also be powered by solar panels. Other styles of RV heaters include radiant-style models that use infrared cooking from a ceramic plate to provide warmth and even steam models that use steam from boiling water to create hot air. No matter what size or shape – as long as your RV has a heating system – you probably have a variety of options when it comes to selecting the perfect model for your needs.
Energy Source & Usage Time
When you’re looking into different types of RV heaters, it’s important to understand everything they have to offer. For example, propane models are typically more efficient than their electric counterparts because the only outlet required is for electricity to power the fan. However, they also require large tanks that need to be refilled at gas stations, though many newer models come with propane adapters that allow you to refill small bottles from your car. All kinds of RV heaters operate using either 12v DC or 120v AC outlets but again, some models need extra hardware – like a generator – in order for them to function properly when plugged into an external power source.
Electricity is also another reason why electric heaters are preferred by some campers, as electrical hookups are available at most campsites. The problem with this type of heater is the use while disconnected from the grid as the batteries will run out relatively fast when used for heating.
Safety Features
Every RV has a different heating system, but all of them have common safety features. For example, many older RV heaters came with an open flame that was designed to be lit by the user on demand. However, this type of heater also included several warnings about having adequate ventilation when it was in use. Today’s models rarely include flame-based lamps and instead promote electric elements (such as ceramic plates) or propane burners that are often equipped with oxygen sensors and automatic shutoff switches for added safety.
Many modern RV heaters also come with thermostats to automatically adjust heat levels based on the external temperature inside your home away from home. This means you don’t have to worry about leaving any children or pets inside your RV without adequate heating or cooling.
Although many RV heaters are designed with safety features that reduce the risk of accidental fires, accidents still happen. That’s why it’s also important for you to take steps toward being prepared in case something does go wrong while you’re enjoying your vacation away from home. For example, having an extinguisher nearby will enable you to put out any flames immediately when they ignite – but only if you know how!
Material
The materials that RV heater components may be made from include metal, plastic, and even ceramic coating.
Heating Capability
Heaters are measured in BTUs which stands for British Thermal Units. A BTU measures the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water (approximately 1 quart) by one degree Fahrenheit. For example, if it takes 10,000 BTUs to raise the temperature of 1 quart of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, then 20,000 BTUs will raise the temperature of 2 quarts of water by 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
An RV furnace with a 40,000 BTU capacity can elevate the air temperature in cubic feet of space by 40 degrees Fahrenheit in one hour. A 5000 BTU heater can only elevate the air temperature 5 degrees under those same circumstances.
All RVs have different heating requirements depending on how many people are inside and what materials were used to build the camper. The more insulation and fewer windows an RV has, the better it will retain heat.
Durability & Storage
It is recommended that you vacuum and dust off your RV Heater once a month to keep it clean and functional; they must be checked for fuel levels on a regular basis and kept full at all times with fresh gasoline, and they should not be stored longer than six months without use. Remember that humidity and condensation can damage internal components and cause corrosion. If any difficulties arise, an RV heating equipment specialist should be contacted to assure the heater’s long-lasting quality.
Questions and Answers About Heaters For Rv Boondocking
Can I run my heater with solar power?
Yes, assuming you have a properly upgraded electrical system.
It should be noted that that for this to work, the solar panels must generate more power than your heater – this amount varies widely by location and usage patterns.
Can I run my RV heater all night?
This is a common question. It depends on the particular model and it’s ok in many cases but running your RV heater all night will risk your battery going completely flat, which will make it hard for you to start the vehicle. If you need to run the heater for more than an hour or two at night, plug the cable into an outlet with a timer on it so that it will turn off before your car needs to restart in the morning.
The best alternative is just to sleep with clothes on and use hot water bottles if it’s really cold.
Can I run my RV furnace while driving?
In general, it’s not advisable to run RV furnaces while driving because it’s very dangerous.
A lot of fires in recreational vehicles start when the driver was “only going to be a few minutes”. This makes emergency exits and access very difficult, and increases the potential for injury or death. There is also a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which could result in illness, coma and even death. Nevertheless, some drivers may decide – after careful consideration and consultation with the manufacturer – that they need to use their furnace while on the road below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Be sure that you have proper functional ventilation during operation.
How can I make my RV furnace more efficient?
There are a couple of ways you can make your RV furnace more efficient. For instance, you could lower the temperature in order to use less energy. You could also try to use blankets, coats, and such to stay warmer. Especially, when sleeping.
It takes a lot of energy for an RV furnace to maintain its temperature. So, turn the thermostat down and save this way! Also, dress warmly and cover yourself with blankets at night – this saves energy also since you’ll be staying warm without expensive heating kicking in.
Lydia Yang
Lydia Yang is a Singaporean city girl who decided to ditch her high heels for hiking boots and become a full-time traveller and digital nomad. She has been to more than 50 countries to date! She has a knack for adventure travel, especially rock climbing, and always hunts down the best climbing spots around the world.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from a link you click on the site that lead to a qualifying purchase. It will not cost you anything additional, but it does help us in supporting this site to keep creating great content for you. All our recommendations and reviews included in the site are purely unbiased.
The post Best Heater for RV Boondocking in 2021 [TOP 8 LIST] appeared first on Sports News & Articles – Scores, Pictures, Videos - SportsNews8.com.
