Winter Awning Heating

[Grey13]

What do you use? Gas, Elec, wattage???

 

[Craigyoung]

We use a little electric heater for the awning which doesn't take it long to heat up but when I mentioned that in a post a while ago I got slated and told to wrap up and save electricity and site owners money ! unbelievable !

Craig

 

[otherclive]

As someone who has always insulated very house that we have owned since our first one in 1973 I have always taken the view that energy is a valuable commodity. Although with renewables that view might change if I live to 100 years. But we have never heated our awnings and given that 2017 will see an increase in global CO2 levels I don't plan to start any time soon. Neither do we put heat on in the caravan when we go to bed, or leave heat on during the day. I suppose my logic is that if everyone is using site electricity it will eventually put up costs, but I also recognise the environmental outcomes of my actions. Please don't tell me that any any saving made by UK will be swamped by China, when Germany has closed down its nuclear plants and burns more lignite now.

Sorry Craig if our views diverge

 

[Craigyoung]

No need to apologize .. :dry: I've just been waiting for the first person to go at me ! clive , as for heating in the caravan well if it's cold then yes I will put it on , as myself and my family suffer from asthma but as for the awning heater that's probably only a couple of times not every time , you know, some gets slated for having a heater on in the awning yet when you walk past some people's theyve the fridges and alsorts running off their supply ! I could quite happily wrap up warm sit there will whiskey to keep me even warmer!!

Craig

 

[otherclive]

No need to apologize .. :dry: I've just been waiting for the first person to go at me ! clive , as for heating in the caravan well if it's cold then yes I will put it on , as myself and my family suffer from asthma but as for the awning heater that's probably only a couple of times not every time , you know, some gets slated for having a heater on in the awning yet when you walk past some people's theyve the fridges and alsorts running off their supply ! I could quite happily wrap up warm sit there will whiskey to keep me even warmer!!

Craig

A whiskey sounds a really good idea. I have had to compromise my views ( and keep mum) for an up coming big birthday where the family are renting a large cabin with outside hot tub where I guess I can still have drink whilst star gazing!

 

[Grey13]

Not sure this is the platform for a global warming chat all I asked about was awning heating! Being a transplant patient and feeling the cold as I do, there is no way I can sit in an awning without heating mid winter but have as yet have not decided what I will do. A short comment on global warming. I personally do not believe a word of it especially considering that not long ago the UK was practically an ice cap. That changed and may I add without my awning heater! Back on the awning heating issue, one easily forgets that individual needs vary a lot so some will need to use some heating and others will walk around in shorts in the snow!

 

[Craigyoung]

Not sure this is the platform for a global warming chat all I asked about was awning heating! Being a transplant patient and feeling the cold as I do, there is no way I can sit in an awning without heating mid winter but have as yet have not decided what I will do. A short comment on global warming. I personally do not believe a word of it especially considering that not long ago the UK was practically an ice cap. That changed and may I add without my awning heater! Back on the awning heating issue, one easily forgets that individual needs vary a lot so some will need to use some heating and others will walk around in shorts in the snow!

Excellent ! Every one ( sorry , a lot ) goes on about prices and global warming but like you say individual needs ; no one else knows each other's health and what we have to do to keep comfortable , if you need a heater , get one & enjoy yourselves so what why not .
Craig .
Edit , as soon as I seen this topic I knew straight away there will be a line of people with criticism ready to come

 

[Craigyoung]

And as it happens that just reminded me we haven't got one yet as when we went to look for a new one we ended up buying our new caravan !

 

[Grey13]

You going away this Dec Jan period at all. We have decided to try http://www.carnon-downs-caravanpark.co.uk/home.html for a week or so. Not far from Eden project for starters. My first winter outing experience. Considering most of my experience has been in hot sometimes desert / semi arid places in Africa it will be an experience.

 

[Raywood]

Personally I would not heat the awning. They are not usually air tight to any degree and the material is not efficient at keeping the heat in, so need vast amounts of power to be effective. I am not an environmentalist but draw the line at that level of waste.
On electricity you will be costing the site a fortune and if lots of people do it then costs will go up, and I would think the cost of the gas needed in anything other than a small porch awning would be too high to be practical.

 

[Martin24]

Do you know what, I was going to rant and rave about the selfish mindless idiocy of heating an awning but then I deleted it all and thought if someone is of the mindset of couldn't care less then I couldn't care less either.

 

[otherclive]

And as it happens that just reminded me we haven't got one yet as when we went to look for a new one we ended up buying our new caravan !

I could let you have a nice portable 2kw oil filled- Goes with us on some winter trips just in case the Truma gives a problem. But touching wood we’ve never had to use it thus far.

 

[Buckman]

When we were on a seasonal sites we had a 45kg gas bottle hooked up to the gas heater. Just enough to take the chill off the air. No way would we consider using an electric heater.

 

[otherclive]

You going away this Dec Jan period at all. We have decided to try http://www.carnon-downs-caravanpark.co.uk/home.html for a week or so. Not far from Eden project for starters. My first winter outing experience. Considering most of my experience has been in hot sometimes desert / semi arid places in Africa it will be an experience.

Planning to visit that site in early March as it should be nice with Cornwall’s earlier spring. The site has a good reputation. Looking at sites for the period across new year could not find one CMHC site in England or Wales with a pitch. C&C best I could get for Sandringham was Jumbo Grass Pitch N o Electric. So we’ve broken with tradition and going to a private site in Cornwall. In fact looking at private sites between Cornwall and Norfolk I was pleasantly surprised at the rates and facilities. 5 nights two adults, one teenager, two dogs and awning £130. Good rates. That’s how desperate I was to find one after my wife announced that she was keen to be away after the hurly burly of Christmas.

 

[Grey13]

Martin: I quote: "rant and rave about the selfish mindless idiocy of heating an awning " rather cruel words when said to someone medically not as fit and strong as you that suffers terribly with the cold.

 

[Martin24]

Martin: I quote: "rant and rave about the selfish mindless idiocy of heating an awning " rather cruel words when said to someone medically not as fit and strong as you that suffers terribly with the cold.

Sorry but I'm a full time electric wheelchair user with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, yes I feel the cold as well. Suck it up and get a blanket.

 

[woodsieboy]

small halogen electric

 

[Craigyoung]

:huh: Its getting a a bit personal and aggressive now chaps, do you not think we should just keep it as a yes or no for heater and personal opinions put to the side . Knew this topic would get rather heated

Craig .

 

[Gabsgrandad]

There are getting more and more sites that specify "No awning heaters" (Electric) - But seeing as we don't use an awning in winter it doesn't bother us. -- Only in the fact that on one site in Norfolk one Easter afternoon when the weather was terrible, sleet, snow, rain , everyone was 'cabined' up, many awnings were aglow with their halogen heaters. It wasn't long before our power went, couldn't think we had tripped (10amp), we hadn't, site overload had gone out. Site management reset but didn't last long before went again. Site management contacted each van and said if power demand wasn't reduced it wouldn't be reset. Came back on but wasn't on long before tripped again. It was then left off 'til well into the evening. Guy in next van to us playing 'hell up' -- "I've paid for it so can use it, too cold for kids in the awning without heating" -- and when it was put back on there were still awnings (empty) illuminated with halogen heaters. I just love considerate folks!

 

[emmerson]

In days gone by, when we were younger and fit enough to put up an awning,we used to use a free-standing gas heater, fed from the caravan gas system by a hose tapped into the gas pipe which ran from the bottle at the front to the cooker at the back. A simple t-piece into the line into a tap in the side locker, and bob's your uncle.
I've still got the heater somewhere, looked a bit like a fan, all made from shiny chrome. It worked very well, but we had to keep shifting the dog, as she sat so close that she used to singe!
You're probably all cringing at the risk that old heater presented, but used with care it never hurt us. The ventilation problem didn't arise because as been said, awnings aren't sealed, and the naked flame was behind an old style fireguard.
You probably wouldn't be allowed to use it nowadays, because the Elves would need Safety!
BTW, I am not suggesting that anyone uses this method!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Anseo]

I am going to come at his from a different approach.

Appropriate and comfortable clothing can be a relatively small investment giving a lot of pleasure.

Caveat: I am not proposing the best gear available given the OP is not going to be mountaineering.

I have spent quite a bit of time researching and purchasing down filled clothing and sleeping gear etc., research will inform that price of product is far from a true indicator of performance.

Worth a look perhaps:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/HIGHROCK-men-outdoor-winter-warm-thermal-camping-hiking-90-white-goose-down-thicken-jackets-coat-mountaineering/32213079087.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.60.tZffgo&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_10152_10065_10151_10068_10130_10344_10345_10547_10342_10343_10340_10341_10548_10192_10541_10190_10307_5680011_10301_10303_10060_10155_10154_10056_10055_10539_10537_10059_10534_10533_100031_10103_10102_10142_10107_10324_10325_10084_10562_10083_10179_10312_10313_10184_10314_10073_10557,searchweb201603_25,ppcSwitch_5&btsid=24564bd5-601b-40ea-9915-e1f0d8e1e788&algo_expid=494ff290-d7e9-48c4-9412-c1da8c246f41-7&algo_pvid=494ff290-d7e9-48c4-9412-c1da8c246f41&rmStoreLevelAB=0
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/HIGROCK-Men-Women-Adult-Outdoor-Autumn-and-Winter-Thermal-Ultralight-White-Goose-Down-Pants-Trousers-with/32483094106.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000023.11.5cd2188apG1BUm
If down bootees and a down beanie were added there might hardly be a need to go inside the caravan at all .

 

[ProfJohnL]

In days gone by, when we were younger and fit enough to put up an awning,we used to use a free-standing gas heater, fed from the caravan gas system by a hose tapped into the gas pipe which ran from the bottle at the front to the cooker at the back. A simple t-piece into the line into a tap in the side locker, and bob's your uncle.
I've still got the heater somewhere, looked a bit like a fan, all made from shiny chrome. It worked very well, but we had to keep shifting the dog, as she sat so close that she used to singe!
You're probably all cringing at the risk that old heater presented, but used with care it never hurt us. The ventilation problem didn't arise because as been said, awnings aren't sealed, and the naked flame was behind an old style fireguard.
You probably wouldn't be allowed to use it nowadays, because the Elves would need Safety!
BTW, I am not suggesting that anyone uses this method!!!!!!!!!!

Then why mention it? :S

It's of no help to the OP, and yes it was actually more dangerous that you might have thought.

Whilst awnings are relatively draughty around the bottom, they can seal quite well above that level.

Consequently any open flame will produce hot products of combustion that will rise and collect at the top and will eventually start to displace the normal air. As the level of oxygen in air reduces, flames burn less well and start to produce a bigger proportion of Carbon Monoxide (CO) - the silent killer.

Even worse are the use of charcole BBQ's These produce large amounts of CO, and were the source that has caused some serious illness and deaths.

Its quite possible to achieve a few degrees temperature difference with the outside, Generally thick canvas will provide more thermal insulation than the lightweight polyesters and nylons. If you need awning heating, then electrical Infra red radiant heating is the most efficient, as it directs heat where you point it. The heat is only converted to convection when the radiation finds an absorbent surface.

Blown air extension systems are available but generally most UK users find them to be ineffective.

 

[Craigyoung]

How much ! hmy: we will look like a pair of Michelin couples sitting there dressed like that !

 

[Damian]

I looked at this topic earlier today and it was going reasonably well, BUT it had the potential to escalate into a contentious series of postings, which since I last looked, it had !
Leave the sarcastic and other unwanted posts away from this and stick to the original question .
Whether or not it is "Green" or conservational is not the point.

Taking my Mod hat off, there are good reasons for some people to need some heat in the awning, the choice of heater is another issue though.

It is not safe to use a gas fired heater in an awning, regardless of thought that there is enough ventilation.
It does not take much of a concentration of CO to do you serious damage or worse.

The on board blown air "awning vents" are about as much use as a chocolate teapot, so that leaves electric, which if used responsibly is the OPs best solution.

You will find that quite a lot of site owners do actually check during the day to see if anyone has gone out for the day and left the heater on, and in several cases have ordered the van users to leave the site .

The other thing you need to take into account is the total Amp draw you may have whilst the heater is in use and will have to turn various other electrical items off.

 

[VicMallows]

In my backpacking days I thought nothing of camping in a tiny hike tent in the snow at -10C. Down sleeping bag inside a reflective outer bag, and a 3/8" closed cell sleeping pad. The critical thing was to remember to keep your water bottle inside the bag with you.....and a wool hat on your head. The petrol stove (Svea 123) never failed to light in the morning for that cup of tea. Blissful days.

Now, just the thought of sitting in an awning on a mid-winter evening horrifies me .... even in southern Spain.