Over the years there have been several discussions about what is the best heating systems for a caravan, and it usually focuses on the differences between blown hot air and wet radiator systems. Both options have their strengths and weaknesses, and it's not my intention to reignite that particular debate.
I spent several years working for a company that had test facilities which had a large environmental chamber that was from time to time used to take a whole caravan and test the effectiveness of different heating systems. and one of the effects we noted was the perceived comfort in a caravan very much depended on the temperature range from floor to ceiling inside the caravan or motorhome.
Most of us know that hot air rises, and conversely cool air falls, so if relying on convection only heating was used the ceiling would heat up much faster than the floor level, and even after an extended period there could still be a significant floor to ceiling temperature difference. If an occupant was in the caravan, they would often report not feeling comfortable becasue their feet were cold and their head was hot.
By introducing some means of mechanically stirring the air, the temperature differentials can be reduced, which adds more warmth at foot level and reduces the temperature higher in the caravan, producing a far more comfortable temperature regime for occupants.
I have revisited this subject becasue I have found this video, which touches on the physiological perceptions of temperature comfort from 7minutes into the video
It not only reinforces the results we had all those years ago but It also raises the idea that different lighting to help make occupants feel warmer and use less fuel.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rVJDwBoBnM
I spent several years working for a company that had test facilities which had a large environmental chamber that was from time to time used to take a whole caravan and test the effectiveness of different heating systems. and one of the effects we noted was the perceived comfort in a caravan very much depended on the temperature range from floor to ceiling inside the caravan or motorhome.
Most of us know that hot air rises, and conversely cool air falls, so if relying on convection only heating was used the ceiling would heat up much faster than the floor level, and even after an extended period there could still be a significant floor to ceiling temperature difference. If an occupant was in the caravan, they would often report not feeling comfortable becasue their feet were cold and their head was hot.
By introducing some means of mechanically stirring the air, the temperature differentials can be reduced, which adds more warmth at foot level and reduces the temperature higher in the caravan, producing a far more comfortable temperature regime for occupants.
I have revisited this subject becasue I have found this video, which touches on the physiological perceptions of temperature comfort from 7minutes into the video
It not only reinforces the results we had all those years ago but It also raises the idea that different lighting to help make occupants feel warmer and use less fuel.