**Note: This article has been archived and may no longer be current.
Please view the latest version of this Tutorial Here.
What's the best way to Heat a Skoolie, Van, or RV?: - The answer is as varied as the type of Rig you drive and the climates you encounter. - Essentially, it comes down to size, temperature, and what type of fuel you want to use. Diesel, Propane, Wood, and Electricity are the top contenders, and it's not a bad idea to use a combination of two or more of those.
We will cover what we feel are the best options. - There are certainly other ways to get it done, but while creativity is encouraged in your Build, this is one area where safety is paramount. Whatever you decide to go with, be absolutely sure to follow all safety protocols and manufacturer instructions.
One of the best aspects of the Nomadic Lifestyle is that you can Follow The Weather! When it's cold you drive South. When it's hot your head for the mountains. While this practice is the most effective way to minimize your Heating and Cooling expenses, it isn't always an option, and even in Texas or Florida temps can get down in the 30s and 40s at night. Having at least some kind of heat backup is an absolute necessity. - Extra blankets and body heat only go so far!
As with Air Conditioning, the on board heater in your Rig is actually the most efficient. Obviously, you don't want to leave the engine running all night, but 20 minutes or so can bring the temperature up to a manageable level, and severely cut the amount of work your “House Heating System” has to do.
Tech Tip: If your Rig came with a Rear Heater, you should do everything within your power to save it. - Every time we see someone taking one of these out, we cringe a little bit. - Re-design your Build if you have to. If you can come up with a way to work around the rear heat unit and incorporate it, you will thank yourself later! These were designed to keep a bus full of school kids warm in sub-zero temperatures. They are remarkably efficient and useful.
It goes without saying that Effectively Insulating your vehicle is the best way to keep your bus nice and toasty. - Yes, it can be time consuming. It's expensive and, frankly, it isn't much fun, especially since you have to do it at the beginning of your Build when you really want to be doing “other stuff”. It is, however, well worth every dollar and every hour invested, especially if you plan to spend time in colder climates. - If you Follow The Weather, you can potentially get by without Insulation (it’s still a good idea), but if you're not 100% certain that you'll be able to do that, it's probably best to bite the bullet and get it done. (*We intend to write a full Tutorial on Insulation in the future. Please check our HVAC Page for some options.)
The Diesel Heater is all the rage in the Skoolie world at the moment, and with good reason! They are absolutely the most efficient way to heat a large Rig. Additionally, it's a dry heat, so there are no concerns about condensation. They are more quiet than you might assume (when equipped with a muffler), and while we've heard a few comments about odor, most people say they can't smell it at all. Perhaps the largest advantage is that the heat can be ducted (directed at specific parts of your Bus), and many units also double as an A/C.
The body of the heater lives inside the Rig, but you'll have to cut holes for the intake and exhaust to run through the floor. The install can be tricky, but it's well within the abilities of a decent “DIY-er” (though the instructions may not be much help). - It does use electricity, but 40 watts at 12 volts (3.33 amps) is a relatively minimal draw. Since it's diesel, it takes a while to warm up, and can use as much as 10 amps during this phase. You can figure about a gallon (almost 4 Liters) per day for regular use in a larger Bus, substantially less than that in a Van. They come with a small fuel container, but can also be hooked directly to your Vehicle Fuel Tank.
No matter what you drive, we strongly advise that you get a Mr. Buddy Heater. (Click Image)- They're inexpensive, portable, scalable, and surprisingly efficient. They run on 1 pound propane bottles. - Perfect if you're “propane free” in your Build, but it can also be connected to an existing Propane System or larger bottle (with an adapter). - If you're in a smaller Rig, this might be the only heater you ever need. - They will hold their own in a van or small camper, and if it isn't keeping up, you can always add a second one with minimal expense and effort. Two of these will absolutely heat a Short Bus, Airport Shuttle, or Class C RV (as long as you’re not scaling Mt. Denali in January).
Even if you're in a full size Skoolie it's a good idea to have one or two of these as a backup. Again, Follow The Weather, and you may find that you rarely turn on your other furnace or heat source, if at all. Additionally, don't discount the fact that they can be packed away when not in use. There's minimal impact on your Build Design, and you can have heat (or extra heat) whenever and wherever you need it.
Tech Tip: You can refill one pound propane bottles with this adapter (Click Image). It's much cheaper to purchase propane in larger amounts. - Using a Buddy Heater as our primary heat source, a one pound bottle will last about two nights, with temps in the 30s.
Some folks are uncomfortable using a portable propane heater indoors due to Carbon Monoxide (CO) and we've heard complaints about condensation on the windows, though we've never had an issue with ours. - The solution to both of these concerns is to “vent”. We place the heater in front of a window slightly cracked open (2-3 inches). Sure, there is minor heat loss, but it's a small price to pay, and hardly noticeable. - If you still have an issue with moisture, a dehumidifier will probably solve the problem.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to have a CO Detector (or 2) in your Build regardless of propane use. Click the image to check them out. - More options available on the HVAC Page.
While we're on the subject of Propane Heaters, it's definitely worth considering a wall mounted unit or “Propane Fireplace” for larger vehicles (or colder temperatures). - At a price point of around $200, this is a good alternative if you don't want to go Diesel, although a Diesel Heater is probably a better choice, especially if you already have diesel fuel on hand.
You'll likely find that it runs for 10-15 minutes an hour while still maintaining comfortable temperatures. - It has some other great safety features as well (CO sensor, Auto shutoff) to quell the issues outlined above, but cracking a window and/or roof vent is still a good idea.
If aesthetics are your thing, Dickinson Marine makes a beautiful Direct Vent Propane Heater that looks and feels like a fireplace. They're not exactly cheap, but they pack a lot of heat into a small space, and with a great look! This is a good option if you like the idea of a wood-stove but not the idea of gathering, purchasing, and storing wood.
Some people use their Mini Split A/C Unit for a heat source. If you are dead set on using Electricity for heat, this is really the only viable option. Traditional Electric Heaters will drain Solar Batteries in no time at all, and while a Mini-Split is far more efficient, it will still require a lot of power. No worries if you're always connected to shore, or run off of a generator, but then you have the extra fuel expense to consider. Have a look at the HVAC Page for some options, and see our Air Conditioning Tutorial for more info.
Who doesn't love curling up in front of a Wood Stove? It's beautiful, romantic, relaxing, and a great way to end the day. - While we've all fallen in love with the idea, before you go this route, you need to understand what you're getting yourself into. While Wood Stoves are great, please consider the practical aspects of heating with wood before pulling the trigger on this.
1.) Check with your Insurance Company. It can be difficult enough getting insurance for a Skoolie, and with the addition of a wood burning stove (especially a DIY unit) your options will be limited even further. There are companies out there that will do it, but be sure you've done the research and gotten a few quotes before you start cutting holes in the Bus.
2.) Take a moment to consider where you're going to get the wood to burn. If you're thinking that you will roll up on BLM Land and “gather” enough to keep you warm, you are mistaken. These places have mostly been picked clean, and cutting down trees is an absolute no-no! (Wood has to be seasoned / dried for about a year before you burn it anyway.) If you're near an industrial area there is the potential to collect pallets and scrap, but pallets require some major processing (cutting) and tend to only last a few minutes in the fire. - In reality, you will most likely just wind up buying bundles of firewood from the local big box store. These will last less than a day, at $4-$5 each.
3.) Add to that the idea that you will need to store and transport wood in your Rig... a lot of it. - It is no small spatial concern if this is your primary source of heat, all for a fuel that you don't use for anything else.
That being said, Wood Stoves are wonderful! We love them. If you can make it work, by all means, go for it! Just consider everything up front, and have a backup plan for when wood is unavailable.
In our opinion, a Wood Stove is a great Secondary Heat Source, perhaps coupled with a Diesel, or combinations of Buddy Heaters, but for the expense and extra issues with Insurance, space, and Installation, we’re just fine with a campfire.
Another topic that comes up from time to time is Radiant Floor Heat. Full Disclosure: We discussed this idea briefly, but dismissed it due to the operating expense and difficulty of install. It would be absolutely awesome for your floors to be nice and warm, especially for the cold feet crowd, but it seems to require running a water heater full time, which would be a major power draw. Look into it if you're interested. (there are several videos), but we're going to shy away.
Lots of other things can help keep out the cold. Thermal Curtains, closing off sections of the Rig, and even parking with windows facing the sun. This is also why many people consider replacing their school bus windows with RV or household windows. This isn't something we're going to specifically recommend, but you might give it some thought if you are planning on visiting very cold areas.
What's it gonna cost?: Since the outside temperatures you face will vary greatly, as will how, and at what price, you acquire Fuel/Propane/Wood/Electricity, so will your operating costs. - We budget $40/month for Propane, between our Buddy Heater and Portable Stoves, but we almost never use it all. At well under $100 the Buddy Heater is the cheapest to purchase, followed by a Deisel Heater ($150-$700), then a Wood Stove or Mini-Split ($300- $1500 depending on what you get).
Ultimately it comes down to the specifics of your Build, and your personal habits. If you have a great source of wood, or if you have a large Solar Array, those options might be best. Short of that, it's probably Propane or Diesel. - Wanna start small and scale up? - Get a Buddy Heater and see how it goes. Add a second, or jump to a Diesel, or Full Propane unit from there.
Stay Safe and Stay Warm!
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