Non ducted VS Ducted

[ianburnett]

I have a 1976 31' that I am restoring to live in. I live in colorado and would like to use a non ducted electric heat but want to see if it will give off enough heat? If so how many BTU should be required to keep it warm in the middle of winter?

Thanks

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ianburnett

I have a 1976 31' that I am restoring to live in. I live in colorado and would like to use a non ducted electric heat but want to see if it will give off enough heat? If so how many BTU should be required to keep it warm in the middle of winter?

Thanks

Non ducted heating is not a very good idea.

All the copper tubing and and the 3 water tanks, must have a small degree of heat forced on them. Black, gray and fresh tanks.

Your Airstream was designed that way.

To defeat that system, is asking for freeze ups, big time.

Andy

[Lumatic]

You are talking about permanently installed electric heat? I think you will need 30 to 40,000 BTU. That much juice may require an electrical system upgrade. You know, of course, electric is significantly more expensive than propane for heating purposes.

[Inland RV Center, In]

One watt is equal to 3.4 btu's

30,000 btu's would require 9,000 watts.

9,000 watts would require about 75 amperes of AC current, at 120 volts.

That is with absolutely nothing else turned on. No lights, no Univolt, etc.

The city power cord is rated at 30 amperes.

30 amps at 120 volts AC is only 3,600 watts.

Then the fuse panel would also have to go.

Then there is the fire hazard, by having that much heat without any degree of forced air distributing it.

Without forced air being directed to the duct system, a freeze up would most likely happen.

Furnaces really are a very cheap source of considerable heat.

Andy