Anyone run their heater when caravan not in use?

[Sam Vimes]

I thought that as we're not using the van in the winter months and it's parked up at home I'd run the heater for a few hours every month or so during the damp winter season. Might just keep damp and mould at bay.

 

[RogerL]

My brother-in-law keeps the heating on while his caravan is parked at home, on a low thermostat setting - but I don't!

Any leaks need dealing with obviously and the caravan takes longer to warm up on the first trip of the year - never had an issue with mould.

 

[otherclive]

Never heated the caravan over winter as it was in store or being used. Just ensured good ventilation and opened everything up, and put furnishings on their sides. Prior to winter all surfaces had a wash down but never used spray polish or the like. Was never affected by mould. But western Scotland could be different given its propensity for wet stuff.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Good ventilation is far more important than heating. I have never heated any leisure vehicle over winter for 20+ years, but I have always ensured good ventilation. Never had any mould etc.

 

[Dustydog]

I believe the constant warming up and cooling down creates an environment conducive to mould growth. I too have never heated the caravan in winter storage, only when we use it.

 

[ProfJohnL]

As you may remember condensation usually occurs when warm air takes up moisture then as it cools it cant hold as much moisture so it deposits it as rain or as condensation on cooler surfaces the air touches. Exactly the same applies to the wooden structure of the caravan, as you warm wood it can absorb more moisture than which it has to try and get rid of when it cools down again. That moisture in the wooden and other absorbent materials is held on the surface which is one of the causes for mould to grow.

Basically adding heat can cause the caravan to absorb even more moisture which means when you turn the heater off it provides even more surface moisture which mould loves.

Incidentally the same thing can happen if a caravan is stored where sunshine can heat parts, whilst other parts in the shadows are still cool and that is another mechanism that can promote mould growth.

Ventilation is the simplest and cheapest method of helping to prevent condensation, and mould. A good wie round with an anti mould solution is also helpful to remove as many dormant spoor's as possible.

 

[JTQ]

Yes we did back when we caravanned all through the year, saved having to drain down completely to avoid frost damage.

Most times I used a thermostat switched electric fan heater as the Alde's minimum of 5 degrees is a bit higher than needed, but have used that on those occasions when it was the more expedient method.
When van properly drained there is little point, other than I tend to like to periodically use systems like this, rather than leave unused for months.
The higher cost of energy today might make a difference, if we were continuing with our all season caravanning. But in reality a stat set to just above freezing would see little running time here in the southern area.

 

[Beardy]

Good ventilation is far more important than heating. I have never heated any leisure vehicle over winter for 20+ years, but I have always ensured good ventilation. Never had any mould etc.

What do you do to ensure good ventilation? On my caravan there are two mushroom vents, one above the shower and one above the microwave. I believe that the skylights allow some airflow even when closed, and there is at least one vent in the floor under the bench seat (there might be one each side). I leave all cupboard and locker doors open. Is that enough or should I be doing something else?

 

[Mr Plodd]

I am fortunate insomuch as my caravan is stored alongside my house, so I am able to open the door and roof hatch on fine winter days. I do also leave the (downwind) windows on the ventilation setting permanently.
If it was in storage then I would probably leave a couple of windows cracked open on the ventilation setting.

 

[ProfJohnL]

It also helps to remove all soft furnishings, and open cupboards and bed lockers to allow free flow of air inside.

 

[Tux]

Mine is in storage and I leave a couple of windows on night latch either side to help air flow.

 

[Gafferbill]

.....the advice of good ventilation is sound.
Heating the air inside a caravan increases it's ability to remove moisture from the hygroscopic materials present.
The moist air then has to be removed from the caravan to complete the drying effect.
Damp levels vary as to the geographical location of the caravan.

Annual rainfall.....
Isle of Skye = 1770mm
Weymouth = 770mm

Whether it is worth the expense of heating is an individual decision.

 

[Mel]

We have an electric air conditioner/dehumidifier. Free standing unit. If our van was on our drive ( which it isn’t), I would run that in there a couple of times a month for a few hours.
Mel

 

[otherclive]

We have an electric air conditioner/dehumidifier. Free standing unit. If our van was on our drive ( which it isn’t), I would run that in there a couple of times a month for a few hours.
Mel

All that will do is dehumidify the atmosphere where you live as with your caravans ventilation points it will be of minimal, if any, benefit.

 

[Beachball]

When our caravan was in storage in the winter months it had a breathable cover on but we left all of the windows on the night latch .and all the cupboards and doors left open to allow the air to flow .

 

[Mel]

All that will do is dehumidify the atmosphere where you live as with your caravans ventilation points it will be of minimal, if any, benefit.

I agree that running it constantly is ineffective but on a short stint it would presumably draw out the moisture in the immediate vicinity first, i.e. the caravan, before attempting to dehumidify the rest of the East Midlands, and in doing so would move the air around in the caravan, drawing it through ventilation points and aiding ventilation.
Mel