We are in the throes of purchasing a gas heater but in order to retain the heat in the awning we are considering adding a layer of thick plastic or bubble wrap across the inside roof. The caravan is on a seasonal site. As heat rises we feel that this may help keep the awning warmer longer and with less gas. Main concern is condensation. Any one got any opinions of this strange and perhaps novel way of keeping warm in the awning in winter?
Interesting idea insulating roof of awning , bubblewrap with its pockets of air would be a good insulator might give a good barrier against condensation dripping down than a single layer of plastic.
Post last edited on 23/11/2006 15:15:21
-------------
Do you suffer from an OCD. Obsessive Caravan Disorder.
Hi, sounds weird and strange, but a sound idea of yours
There is some stuff that we used to line our walls and the loft when we did it. Its in the screwfix book or website. Its a silver foil type insulation, it bounces back the heat.
Its fairly cheap, think about £25 for 5metres or something like that.
Its very light weight and flame retardent i believe.
I also would be interested in others views on this
Hi, Sorry to spoil your idea, but my main concern would be a fire risk, should the bubble wrap fall onto the gas fire and you are trapped inside the caravan...dread the thought!!! I'd give it a miss if I were you....better safe than sorry.....Floyd.
Surely, unless the gas fire was thermostatically controlled it'll just keep producing heat wont it. We need to find a good awning heater for ours but I don't think I'd want a gas one. Don't fancy the idea of a naked flame. (unless it was an old one that is)
Quote: Originally posted by pinkfloyd on 23/11/2006
Hi, Sorry to spoil your idea, but my main concern would be a fire risk, should the bubble wrap fall onto the gas fire and you are trapped inside the caravan...dread the thought!!! I'd give it a miss if I were you....better safe than sorry.....Floyd.
I am not sure what you mean as the insulation is trapped between the poles and the awning and very unlikely that it will fall down on an open gas fire. Only some with no common sense would go to bed with a gas fire running in their awning and i hope that we have some common sense.
I have absolutely no problem heating my awning with the brazier, wood, coal charcoal, paper, yesterdays dinner everything goes on it and it heats the awning a treat. As for a fire risk I've got a red bucket with 'FIRE' written on it outside, that should do the job.
Quote: Originally posted by ricpop on 26/11/2006
I have absolutely no problem heating my awning with the brazier, wood, coal charcoal, paper, yesterdays dinner everything goes on it and it heats the awning a treat. As for a fire risk I've got a red bucket with 'FIRE' written on it outside, that should do the job.
But cant see where you'd put the chimney for all that smoke
------------- Doing as little as possible for as much as possible...
KEEPING WARM - Having spent Dec last year touring through Germany, Switzerland and staying in the icy cold snowy French Alps for a few weeks in the caravan/awning we had the oportunity to put all the insulation tips and heating equipment to the test. We heavily used the silver thermal role as discussed previously.. if it is good enough for my loft/tank then ideal for lining under the carpet in both awning and caravan. (cosy to walk on) Excellent for keeping those drafts out of the window openings around the bed and lounge area - held in place by blinds/curtains. Gas was freezing up fast so it also was used around the gas bottles/water & waste containers plus don't forget the car engine - if you are automatic! The Electrics went down several times due to site overloading.. but we were okay. Re the awning, our main heating has always been a portable gas heater, H&S regs require air flow, so the pole holes are not fully insulated - as for the awning roof, the snow on top kept it very well insulated, however we have not found a problem with the roof and heating the awning during normal weather conditions. If anything it is the draft coming in via the wheel arches and door opening when the wind blows the wrong way. We keep everything (awning/groundsheet) pinned down with boxes of beer/wine/water etc. At the doorway opening I like to keep a small fan heater on at 2 setting if possible as this counteracts the draft and gives us dual fuel back-up.
There are so many Gas heaters to choose from, depends on your weight, but we are thinking of a small patio type table heater with canopy&light as this would double up for our Spanish BBQ evenings with friends as our holidays are usually winter sun, with cooler evenings. Just a thought.. either way 2 heaters are required if you don't want to see yourself sitting with outdoor wear on or wrapped up in a duvet watching TV in the awning.
Personally we prefer that the party is in our awning - laugh and you won't feel the cold. Lastly, Gas is so cheap abroad we make sure that we bring enough back to cater for our UK needs. We use the large orange bottles with black line around. Camping Gas not economical for our usage.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Heating in the awning
)
