UK sites with metered electricity

Posted on 17/11/2021 14:24 by Tammygirl

Out of interest do you close your inner blinds in the cab as well as putting on the silver screens outside.

I have tried it both ways and I think it is warmer with inner closed and outer on. 

Both of the MHs we've owned have had rear lounges where the heating seems to be concentrated. We do have a vent at the front of the van but its pretty ineffective, by the time the heat travels along the tubs its lost most of its warmth and just about all its power. So the coldest place in the MH is by the cab. 

Posted on 17/11/2021 16:24 by young thomas

With blown air heating (where air heats up and cools quickly) it's better to have the unit placed centrally where each of the four pipes can be kept as short as possible yet service all corners equally. With ALDE Hot water heating, the heated water which circulates to the radiators retains its heat so boilers and radiators can be placed less strategically.

our Combi is pretty central, and the outlets are numerous (3 in the cab, two in the lounge, one near the door (so being a front lounge van, that's effectively 6 in the habitation area), one in the bathroom, a long pipe that completely surrounds the bed (with multiple smaller outlets) and one in the garage...so plenty of heating points throughout the van, and with all the pipes running under the floor, feet are warm, as are water tanks and batteries..

smaller, cheaper, lighter vans (including ours) probably wouldn't see the benefit of an ALDE system that adds weight, complexity and cost.

we have a double skinned thermal blind that rolls down to cover the windscreen and blinds to all the side windows, but I made some extra thermal sections which fit neatly between the factory blinds and the windows, creating a very warm cab area.

back to the OP, even if we all insulate our vans to the nth degree, it won't give us a saving if we can't benefit by using less fuel...but the club will.

Posted on 17/11/2021 16:19 by Cornersteady

well I would disagree, there appears to be a difference between insulation in the two which slows down the loss of heat and therefore needs less power for the same volume and warmth? And therefore is relevant in my view. 

MH appear to need, or people like to have them, these insulating screens at the front which a caravan doesn't.

 

Posted on 17/11/2021 16:38 by Cornersteady

I think I've agreed with you before on this and even asked why the unit is mounted where it is on caravans (usually right at the front) apart from what you say about heat distribution I assume it's heavy even empty and weight wise would might more sense to move it to the middle?

Another in my view stupid thing to do is that the air ducts on mine (and I remember a few others have mentioned this) actually goes underneath and outside the caravan to bypass the cassette toilet, only a foot or so but still! Mine wasn't even insulated although I got it asap.

 

Posted on 17/11/2021 16:53 by

I have had exterior air ducts on vans but on the Hobby they are inside, probably because lots of continental customers do winter sports.

My answer however to keeping warm in the winter is either stay at home or go somewhere warm

Posted on 17/11/2021 16:40 by MichaelT

You are probably right all our continental MH's are probably much better insulated than your average UK caravan but I was just trying to let you down gently and give you the benefit of doubt!

Posted on 17/11/2021 16:38 by Cornersteady

I think I've agreed with you before on this and even asked why the unit is mounted where it is on caravans (usually right at the front) apart from what you say about heat distribution I assume it's heavy even empty and weight wise would might more sense to move it to the middle?

Another in my view stupid thing to do is that the air ducts on mine (and I remember a few others have mentioned this) actually goes underneath and outside the caravan to bypass the cassette toilet, only a foot or so but still! Mine wasn't even insulated although I got it asap.