Diesel Heater For Campervan Of 2024

A heater is necessary if you intend to spend the chilly winter months living in your van. Although cozy blankets and duvets are wonderful when you’re in bed, getting in and out of your vehicle when it looks like an ice cube is a really unpleasant experience!

Although you may heat your camper or motorhome with a variety of fuel sources, diesel heaters are usually regarded as the finest heaters for van living. This is due to the low cost and safety of diesel fuel.

I go over a few of the diesel heater for campervan in this post. Continue reading to find out which heater I suggest and which one I use in my campervan.

What are the benefits of a campervan diesel heater?

Diesel heaters for campers are a popular option since they are economical, dependable, and efficient. They may, however, initially cost more than LPG or electric heaters. Compared to LPG heaters, campervan diesel heaters have three main advantages:

• Compared to LPG, diesel is more widely accessible at gas stations.
• Compared to LPG, diesel burns at a greater BTU (heat) and is a more efficient fuel.
• Because it doesn’t ignite quickly, diesel is safer than LPG.

You must install your diesel heater correctly if you want to guarantee both your comfort and safety when driving. An unsafe diesel heater installation might result in a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Because of this, it’s imperative that you adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and get expert assistance if you have any questions about any part of the installation procedure.

Also Read: Camper Van Interior Kits of 2023

The best campervan diesel heater table summary

The price and warranty availability are the primary distinctions between the budget and premium versions, as the table illustrates. The construction quality is the only item in this table that is not taken into account.

How does a diesel heater work in a campervan?

Burning diesel fuel heats a heat exchanger in a camper van diesel heater. Fresh air is drawn in during the combustion process, and combustion gasses are released through an exhaust. As the diesel fuel burns, heat is transferred to the huge surface area heat exchanger. After that, a fan brings in the hot air from the heat exchanger. The campervan’s living area is then filled with heated air, which makes it cozy and toasty.

Diesel heaters for campers can be linked to either an additional fuel tank or the vehicle’s fuel tank. As a result, even with the engine off, the diesel heater may be used. Additionally, the majority of diesel heaters have safety measures like an automatic shut-off that activates in the event of an overheated heater or a fuel supply issue. A thermostat or remote control may also be included with certain models, enabling you to operate the heater and change the temperature from a distance.

Types of Campervan Diesel Heater

Diesel heaters for camper vans come in three varieties:

1. Air heaters
2. Air and water heater
3. Hydronic heater

1. Air Heater

The most popular kind of diesel heater is an air heater. It is a blast heater that is basic.

2. Air and Water Heaters

A dual air and water heater serves as a blower and a water heater simultaneously! One of the most well-liked models of air and water heaters is the Truma Combi.

3. Hydronic Heater

A hydronic heater can be used as a water heater or a blast heater. It does, however, have one really awesome added feature. Once the vehicle has stopped, it utilizes the waste energy (extra heat) from the engine as fuel. This implies that you receive “free” hot baths or heat for a considerable amount of time following a journey!

By heating a fluid (glycol) that passes through a hydronic system’s function. For hot water, a heat exchanger is utilized, and for hot air, an air matrix. The most effective method for installing underfloor heating in your vehicle is hydronic heating.

What size diesel heater should I get?

For the majority of vehicles, a 2kW diesel heater should be plenty. In the event that you want to utilize your huge van in really cold weather, a 5kW diesel heater would be a better option. A heater should be sized for approximately one kilowatt (KW) per 14 cubic meters of living area in a home with adequate insulation. We should double or quadruple this number in a campervan.

2kW Diesel Heater

• Because it is less powerful, it will require longer operations to get the same outcomes as the 5kW in a shorter amount of time.
• Generally speaking, a lot more pleasant temperature in vehicles than the intense, quick heat of the 5kW

5kW Diesel Heater

• Because of its power, it usually just needs to operate on low.
• Compared to the 2kW version, you will operate it on low more often, which means you will need to burn off the extra carbon buildup more regularly (i.e., run the heater on high).
• Possess the choice to turn it up further in really cold weather.

Diesel heater safety and regulations

• The following are some things to be mindful of:
• The campervan has to have a heater fitted inside.
• When the car is moving, the heating cannot be utilized.
• The van’s intake and exhaust must be routed outside of it.
• The exhaust ought to be directed away from any windows or the air intake so that it cannot be drawn back in.
• The van’s edge is where the exhaust must exit. Carbon monoxide can build up below the van and become drawn back into the air intake if it isn’t vented away from the edge.
• The exhaust pipe should be angled downward to avoid internal condensation buildup.

Conclusion

Although you may heat your camper or motorhome with a variety of fuel sources, diesel heaters are usually regarded as the finest heaters for van living. This is due to the low cost and safety of diesel fuel. A van excursion is a great opportunity to see new places and make lifelong memories. But such recollections might not be so pleasant if the temperature drastically decreases. A campervan diesel heater is invaluable in the winter!

Also Read: Winterize Camper With Air