A/C Heater strip element/s

adamejorge · 02-04-2011, 10:19 AM

Is any one familiar with the heater strip that goes on your A/C unit ... It's a heating element that harnesses into the inside of the AC unit where the condenser coils are.... Apparently this provides an extra warmth comfort... How good does this work ? is it really Good to use.. I have two ducted A/C's ; Would i be able to install two heating elements or only one ? Please advice

Mopar1973Man · 02-04-2011, 01:11 PM

I gather it a heat pump... From what I understand in mild weather they work good but get down really cold near 10-20*F it might not be as good..

But this is second hand info...

av8arkie · 02-04-2011, 01:17 PM

I heard the same!

namusmc65 · 02-04-2011, 01:32 PM

Try this link. Always something new, but this one eliminates the furnace heat if you are hooked up to shoreline power. A little on the expensive side too. Called cheap heat but I don't see how that fits! lol

http://www.rvcomfortsystems.com/

Bob Landry · 02-04-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopar1973Man

I gather it a heat pump... From what I understand in mild weather they work good but get down really cold near 10-20*F it might not be as good..

But this is second hand info...

A heat pump, also known as a reverse cycle AC Unit uses a reversing valve to switch between heat and cool mode. The compressor runs just as it would normally. These units are actually only effective down to around 40 degrees. The Dometic units actually us a a sensor to keep the compressor from running when it's too cold. A 'Heat strip" is a heating element(electrical) that is installed in the AC's blower and uses the blower fan to move air across the element and into the space.

Myles6543 · 02-04-2011, 02:37 PM

I believe you are refering to the heat strips as opposed to a heat pump. I have seen them offered as a heat assist in some A/C units. I'm sure they are ok as a backup or on really cold days but as you know heat rises and your blowing that heat out of ceiling registers. They might be ok also on cool mornings if your using a campgrounds electricity.

adamejorge · 02-04-2011, 03:29 PM

yes it that heat strip not heat pump... I like what namusmc65 said .... this very convenient but expensive .. I wish I could get one!! LOL ... I'll try to get some more info from from my dealer.

Topflight · 02-05-2011, 09:33 AM

We have a heat strip in our Pop-Up's A/C. It does not provide warm air, but it does help to take the chill off of those cool mornings. I'd rather run the furnace for a few minutes than wait for the heat strip. YMMV

Bob Landry · 02-05-2011, 09:40 AM

That's because the air still has to be recirclated over the heat strip to warm it, just as it takes a while for the AC to cool it down when the trailer is hot, where as the furnace instantly starts putting out warm air. I was amazed to see how much propane the furnace uses. I've looked for a couple of ceramic space heaters, but everyone is out of them for this season, I don't have much camping time left where heat will be needed, but I'll have them for next season.

dzwiss · 02-05-2011, 09:19 PM

I installed the heat strip in my last trailer and was disappointed. I found that a small electric heater, 1500 watt, was more effective and much quieter.

namusmc65 · 02-06-2011, 09:10 AM

I know several folks that run 2 ceramic heaters in their 30 footer when they are in the campground and they say it works quite well and saves on the propane. I think they run them mostly on low heat because of the wattage. Not sure about the current draw on the 30 amp travel trailers. But they said that is why they got the heaters with the variable heat switch.

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