RV Furnace Replacement Guide: Gas vs. Electric Heating Options
Replacing an RV furnace starts with one key question: should you stay with gas or move to electric heat? An RV furnace replacement is an opportunity to review your current setup and choose a system that fits your travel plans.
RV Comfort Systems offers both add on Gas/Elect hybrid Gas/Elect RV heating systems for different RV layouts and Standalone All-Electric RV Furnace Systems. Each has 3 different heater ranges depending on the power source and multiple configurations to fit your RV’s layout.
When Should You Replace Your RV Furnace?
Check your furnace before the next cold-weather trip, looking at its age, condition, heat output, fuel use, cost of operation and the space around the unit. A gas furnace does not always need full replacement. Our CheapHeat Add-on System adds electric heat to most. RV gas furnaces, while maintaining the same existing blower and duct system. The system is easy to operate with a simple wall switch to select your heat source Gas or Electric while using the same factory thermostat already in place.
Should You Stay With Gas Heat?
Gas heat remains useful for owners who camp without shore power. Camper Heater Gas Furnaces only come with one option, a gas furnace that burns propane and is only 60% efficient and uses a blower to move warm air through the ducts. The LP heater for RV suits boondocking and remote campsites. But with the CheapHeat upgrade 100% efficient Electric heater you do not have to stay with gas. Our add-on system lets you keep your existing furnace while adding the electric heat option.
How Do Gas, Electric, and Hybrid Options Compare?
Use this table to compare your replacement options side by side:
| Feature | Gas Furnace | Standalone Electric Furnace |
CheapHeat Add-on System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat source | Propane | Electric heating elements | Propane or electric, selected with a wall switch |
| Best for | Off-grid trips, boondocking, and remote campsites |
Powered campsites Shore Power and is full furnace replacement |
Mixed travel and keeping an existing gas furnace |
| Shore power needed |
No | Yes | Operates on Gas or Electric |
| Amp requirements | None | DH18: 30 amps @ 120 VAC or 50 amps @ 240 VAC; DH37 and DH50: 50 amps. |
When in the Electric mode. DH18: 30 amps @ 120 VAC or 50 amps @ 240 VAC; DH37 and DH50: 50 amps. |
| Power levels | Not applicable | DH18, DH37, and DH50 models |
DH18, DH37, and DH50 models |
| Fan and ducts | Furnace blower and RV ducts |
Its own fan (Sealed Ball bearings) and cabinet, with existing ducted or plenum-style layouts |
Existing furnace fan with existing duct system. |
| Furnace compatibility |
Not applicable | Does not need a gas furnace in line with the heater |
Select Suburban, Dometic, and Furrion models |
| Size | Varies by furnace | 10 inches high, 17.5 inches wide, 19.5 inches deep |
Attached to the end of the existing furnace |
| Installation | Existing setup | Replaces the gas furnace entirely but maintains the same ducting and thermostat |
Most RV service facilities complete it in five to eight hours, depending on the RV |
What Should You Check Before Replacing a Furnace?
Review these details before ordering a new heating system:
Current furnace make and model
Furnace type and layout
Available installation space
Duct or plenum design
Shore power rating
Our compatibility chart matches the CheapHeat Add-on System with select Suburban, Dometic, and Furrion furnaces. Our standalone unit measures 10 inches high, 17.5 inches wide, and 19.5 inches deep, so confirm all measurements before installation.
When Does Electric Heat Make Sense?
Electric heat suits RV owners who use shore power and want to heat without burning propane. Our all-electric system replaces the gas furnace and uses your existing ducted or plenum-style layouts. Additionally It has its own fan and cabinet and does not need a gas furnace in line with the heater, aside from the fact that its 40% MORE EFFICENT. For the best electric RV heater fit, model size matters:
DH18: Works with 30- or 50-amp service. (Check chart for exact crossover or call us)
DH37 and DH50: Require 50-amp service. (Check chart for exact crossover or call us)
How Does an Add-On System Work?
The electric heater attached to the end of your existing gas furnace. Its heating coils use 120 or 240-volt AC power, and the furnace fan moves warm air through the existing duct system. Power levels include three different power levels, depending current Furnace size and available shore power setup.
We also offer an optional Two-stage 30/50 Amp Kit to auto adjust the systems heater settings for use on different shore power service. This works with both the All Electric Furnace and the Hybrid Dual Fuel system.
Is a Standalone Electric Furnace Right for You?
A standalone system makes sense when you want to replace the gas furnace or when an add-on does not fit your layout. Its multi-position cabinet allows the heater elements to fit from either side. If you are comparing the best RV electric heater options, check your power service first, since a 30-amp heater only works with the DH18 model, unless you do Our Upgrade from a 30 to 50 amp service. All three heater ranges DH18, DH-37, and DH-50 all work on the 50 amp shore power service.
How Much Work Does a Furnace Upgrade Need?
An add-on system uses your existing gas furnace and duct setup, while a standalone system replaces the gas furnace but also uses the existing ducting system. We recommend using a qualified RV technician for installation, and most RV service facilities complete add-on installations in five to eight hours, depending on the RV. We also provide installation manuals, compatibility information, and system guides.
FAQs
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A camper heater gas furnace setup is practical off-grid, but has a flue that approximately 40% of all the heat produced goes out through. Where an electric furnace uses heating coils and has no flue so it’s 100% efficient and uses shore power.
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There are two main reasons to add Electric Heat option to your RV:
· Save money on operation cost, increase reliability, provide long term heating source that doesn’t run out.
· Safety and comfort; Eliminates gas furnace fires, is UL listed, and comfort by stopping the to hot to cold syndrome because of Gas furnace 60 sec pre-purge and 90 sec post-purge cycling with no heat being produced.
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The better choice depends on how you travel. An LP heater for RV use works well off-grid, while electric heat fits powered campsites and storage freeze protection. That said our hybrid system combines both options for more control over your heat source.
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Yes. At RV Comfort Systems, our standalone electric system replaces the gas furnace in suitable ducted or plenum-style RVs. It has its own fan and cabinet, just check existing gas furnace foot print and shore power with the All-Electric Furnace system specifications.
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An electric furnace for RV creates heat with electrical heating elements. Our standalone system has its own sealed ball bearing fan and cabinet, so it does not need a gas furnace in line with the heater. Its multi-position cabinet also suits RVs with limited space. Electric heat removes the need for a gas flame during electric operation.
For RV owners who want cheaper heating for RV; shore power provides that benefit. Plus most campgrounds include electricity in the site fee, so using it helps reduce and/or eliminates propane use during those stays.
Additionally the Electric Furnace is 100% efficient unlike the gas furnace where 40% of all heat produced goes out the flue. Plus with our larger blower wheel we can slow down the fan speed and do away with 80% of all the noise while moving more air.
Lastly comfort level by stopping the too hot to cold syndrome caused by Gas furnace 60 sec pre-purge and 90 sec post-purge cycling with no heat being produced.
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When determining gas vs electric cost of operation, we need to take into consideration the relatively low efficiency of the gas furnace (60%), meaning 40% of every dollar goes out the exhaust. With electric resistive heat, there is no exhaust, so 100% of the heat generated is used, $1.00-input results in $1.00-output. If we do the math, every $1.00 is equivalent to $0.06 per kW. If you pay $3.00 per gallon for propane that's equal to $0.18 per kW, meaning that at $3.00 per gallon propane, electric is always cheaper to heat with when rates are under $0.18 per kW.
That said the national average is 12 cents a kilowatt so readers digest version is RV Electric Heat is substantially cheaper, especially if electric is included in your space rent. (check the cost per KW and LPG per gallon in your area for a true cost savings).
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These details help you find the best electric RV heater for your coach and travel plans.
Current furnace make and model
Furnace type and layout
Existing Furnace capacity
Available installation space
Duct or plenum design
Shore power rating
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Yes, when the system is sized correctly is the best RV electric heater for cold weather depends on RV design, insulation quality and available power.
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Installation needs depend on the system and RV layout. Electrical service, cabinet space, duct design, and clearances all matter. We recommend a qualified RV technician, and we provide installation manuals and compatibility information.
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Gas suits off-grid camping, while electric heat suits powered campsites. If you want both, our CheapHeat Add-on System adds electric heat to a compatible gas furnace.
Ready to Upgrade Your RV Heating System?
An RV furnace replacement is a chance to rethink how your coach stays warm. Gas heat works well for off-grid travel, while electric is best for Full timers, RV Park usage, and freeze protection while your RV is in storage.
RV Comfort Systems offers standalone electric and hybrid add-on systems built for different layouts and travel plans. Review your furnace, space, and power setup to find the right fit. Contact us today to explore our electric and hybrid heating options.