Hi
I'm after some advice. My mum is planning to site her 2 berth caravan at my sister's and live in it to save some pension money, for the next 5 years.
Obviously this is a long time to be in a caravan but she will have access to my sister's house when it gets too cold etc.
I'd like to help her keep warm and wondered if you had any advice re keeping the heat in. I was thinking of external covers etc but can't seem to find anything suitable. Are there any diy options we could do to the external roof/walls? Any other advice?
Depends on age & condition of caravan. A newer one will be better insulated than one thats 20odd yrs old. Also you hope her caravan is sound with no damp in the structure. Otherwise not a great deal you can do as some ventilation is always required. Assume she will have mains power? In cold weather an oil filled rad or convector heater will keep caravan warm ok.
Sticking a cover over it will cut down on the windchill but it will also restrict airflow and condensation will be a bigger problem.
Its not just about the temperature, a small heater will keep the interior at a cosy temperature fairly cheaply. But what about the toilet and water?
Filling water barrels maybe OK for a holiday, but everyday? and the same with the toilet. How often do you want that carried through your house to your interior toilet?
She is ok sleeping in caravan as an extra room while ‘living’ at your sister’s but not with caravan as separate address in garden so if neighbours do grass her up to council ensure your stories are straight & theres nowt they can do.
Although we haven't "lived" in our caravan over the winter, we did once site it in my sister's driveway over a large family Christmas. It was extremely cold that year and we used to find that the inside of the roof was iced over in the mornings with the condensation from our breathing overnight. We were only in our early 50s at the time and could cope for a few days (we only slept in the caravan and used the house for everything else, including loo). I don't know how healthy it would be for an elderly person.
Unfortunately, I don't think there is any foolproof way of retaining heat. You would have to maintain it constantly and even then it will go out of the roof, walls and windows pretty fast. Your sister will notice a big increase in her electricity bills. Using a gas heater constantly, and especially at night, is not something I would recommend on safety grounds.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 07/1/2018
Using a gas heater constantly, and especially at night, is not something I would recommend on safety grounds.
Why not?
With a fitted caravan gas heater the burner part is sealed from the interior, so no carbon monoxide will enter the caravan. It is no difference really than your house gas central heating.
If you are that concerned fit a CO alarm at bed height (not on the ceiling)
I can think of no other safety reasons.
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 07/1/2018
Although we haven't "lived" in our caravan over the winter, we did once site it in my sister's driveway over a large family Christmas. It was extremely cold that year and we used to find that the inside of the roof was iced over in the mornings with the condensation from our breathing overnight. We were only in our early 50s at the time and could cope for a few days (we only slept in the caravan and used the house for everything else, including loo). I don't know how healthy it would be for an elderly person.
Unfortunately, I don't think there is any foolproof way of retaining heat. You would have to maintain it constantly and even then it will go out of the roof, walls and windows pretty fast. Your sister will notice a big increase in her
electricity bills. Using a gas heater constantly, and especially at night, is not something I would recommend on safety grounds.
O.P. states that if it gets too cold they will have access to there sisters house ?
Like a lot of folk we caravan all year round and have had temperatures down to -6 with no issues apart from the stand pipe freezing and that was sorted out by the warden and a kettle full of hot water.
Regarding the heating... higher fuel bill in the winter months.. which we all have to pay.
As she will in effect be living at the sister's address, she may not get the winter heating allowance or some other benefits. She will need to check first with the local benefits agency as it may also impact the amount of pension although I doubt the latter.
Thanks for the replies. If it gets too cold mum will just live in my sister's spare room. She is 60 so the cold will be an issue, hence my post. She has a oil radiator which she will use overnight on low if needed. All the water/waste won't be an issue as she plans to use the downstairs loo.
Lots of advice which is very useful, thanks
Provided she keeps oil filled rad on when it’s cold she will be just fine. If nobody else in house is old enough for heating allowance then she can claim it. Sis will need that for elecricity bill for oil filled rad use. Theres absolutely no issues here if caravan is sound & she is fit.
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Topic: Mum moving into caravan permanently
