New AC, Heat Pump or Heat strip?

[firedog]

Hi, I own a 92 excella 29 foot,I want to replace it with a dometic 13500 btu AC. the original is 18 years old and leaks inside the trailer.Instead of pulling the old one and resealing new gasket .Should I go with the heat pump or the heat strip? Thanks John.

[jcanavera]

John, it really depends on how you use the trailer. Our first Airstream had a Dometic A/C with a heat strip. While it was ok, the heat strip on my unit had no thermostatic control. That meant when it got cool I needed to turn it on. When it got too warm I had to turn it off.

When I changed trailers and went to the Classic I ordered the 15K heat pump unit. No issues regarding off and on since it has thermostatic control and due to higher BTU output, it minimizes the use of the furnace till the temps get below 40. So that save propane. The bad side is that the unit is more expensive than a unit with a heat strip. Dependent upon its use, one might consider that it may wear out sooner in its lifetime since it will be running more. I make than assumption based on the folks who live around me who own heat pump units. Typically they replace the heat pump sooner than those who have air conditioning units only. On the other hand a home heat pump's annual run time is probably much more than what an RV would rack up......unless you are full timing.

If I had to do it again at this point and based on my travel locales and travel timeframes, I'd still pick a unit with a heat pump. For others a heat strip unit might be perfectly acceptable.

Jack

[Mike Leary]

Heat strips are very good; they really help in a cold morning. We have them on both on our Dometics and had them on our previous Colemans.

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by firedog

Hi, I own a 92 excella 29 foot,I want to replace it with a dometic 13500 btu AC. the original is 18 years old and leaks inside the trailer.Instead of pulling the old one and resealing new gasket .Should I go with the heat pump or the heat strip? Thanks John.

The heat strip is not a pricey item, I suggest you get both. The control unit for my Dometic allows me to select either one.


Regards,
Ken