Mobility is a key feature when one is considering a heater or a home furnance. Some RV campers requires a heater than runs through the night in wintertime while others are looking for something just for periodic usage and tagretting a fix area in the RV. We are here to use our travel expertise to recommend some of the best mobile home furnances to make your experience in your mini home a lot more pleasant through the cold seasons.
What is the Best Mobile Home Furnace?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 5 Best Mobile Home Furnace. We compiled this list from mobile home furnaces we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with motor home heaters you can be assured that this article will give you what you’re looking for.
We also wrote a buying guide and answered some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) at the end of this article.
1. Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater, 1500-Watt
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 19 pounds (8.62 kg) Size: 16 x 13 x 11 inches (40.6 x 33 x 27.9 cm) Type: Infrared Heating Element: Infrared Quartz Tube, Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: Ul Certified |
The Dr Infrared DR-968 Space Heater is one of the most prominent infrared heaters available, and it delivers greater heat output than competing brands. Infrared heaters are generally more efficient because less energy is required to heat the element and therefore consumes less power. Additionally, they disperse heat directly to the targeted area, so minimal heat gets lost in the air.
However, infrared space heaters, such as this model, also incorporate PTC ceramic to provide convection heating to remove cold spots in the room. The DR-968 heater features a radiant and convection dual heating system to create and transfer heat more quickly. It includes an infrared quartz tube embedded with a ceramic base to produce radiant heat with a longer-lasting warmth effect and makes it energy efficient. Furthermore, the heater’s fan enables convection heat to warm the air in the room more evenly and create a comfortable temperature for livability.
The unit features two heat settings at 1500 watts and 1000 watts, plus an electronic thermostat with a temperature range of 50°F to 85°F. The thermostat cycles the heater between the two heat settings to maintain your desired temperature setting, while the programmable 12-hour timer enables automatic shutoff at your convenience. Additionally, the heater’s remote control device adds more flexibility while operating the unit. It also adds a layer of safety because it lacks a power button to prevent switching on the heater accidentally.
Pros
- Compact-sized heater with castor wheels for easy movement,
- Dual heating systems produce and disperse more heat than other models,
- The electronic thermostat regulates ambient temperature for comfort,
- It comes with a dust filter to prevent allergies while using it,
- UL Certified remote control device enables safe operation
Cons
- The heater is only effective for small spaces,
- The manufacturer has poor customer service
2. Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove with Remote Control
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 28 pounds (12.7 kg) Size: 26.5 x 22 x 15 inches (67.3 x 55.9 x 38.1 cm) Type: Infrared Heating Element: Infrared Quarts Heating Capacity: 1500 watts |
The Duraflame 3D Infrared Fireplace Stove DFI-5010 is a highly effective and efficient infrared heater that provides supplemental heating for large spaces of up to 1000 square feet. The heater features a realistic 3D burning logs effect with five brightness settings to create a warm feeling in the room even without turning on the heater. It also features a visually appealing metal construction that requires minimal assembly out of the box.
The stove has a top vent design to disperse the heat, and some users note that it takes considerable time to warm large spaces because the heat output may be lower than expected. The heater features an infrared quartz element that heats up quickly and does not dry out the air as a typical heater does. The control functions include an adjustable thermostat with a temperature range of 62°F to 82°F and remote control for convenient operation.
Pros
- Good quality design with realistic 3D logs effect for visual appeal,
- The heating element delivers radiant heat while keeping air moisture intact for comfort,
- Adjustable thermostat, remote control, and timer enable easy operation,
- Good build quality available in various attractive colors
Cons
- It may have a lower heat output,
- Function controls are located behind the door
3. PELONIS PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 6.31 pounds (2.86 kg) Size: 22.9 x 7.2 x 7.2 inches (58.3 x 18.2 x 18.2 cm) Type: Radiant, Convection Heating Element: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Pelonis PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower is one of the most popular space heaters from this brand. Pelonis is a manufacturer of high-quality heating and cooling appliances for domestic and commercial use. The PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower comes highly rated on Amazon for its heat output, portability, and user-friendly digital functions.
The heater uses the convection-style heating method with a PTC ceramic element that warms up to 70°F in three seconds and disperses heat with a quiet operation fan. The tower housing features a close grille to spread the warmth and ABS flame-resistant material that stays cool to touch while in operation.
Furthermore, this space heater features a programmable thermostat and three heating modes that enable you to maintain the desired temperature. The Pelonis PHTPU1501 offers better value for money than the competition as it includes all of the functions you would find in more expensive models. These include a 24 hours timer, a 70-degree oscillation function, and a multi-function remote controller.
Pros
- Excellent build quality with 1-year manufacturer’s warranty,
- Offers better value for money than the competition,
- Three heating settings with a programmable thermostat for comfortable temperature,
- Remote controller and timer allow convenient operation,
- Easy assembly and disassembly for cleaning and maintenance,
- A quiet fan with oscillating heat dispersion warms the space evenly
Cons
- The oscillating degree is less than the competition,
- Too much hysteresis on the thermostat to maintain the exact temperature
4. Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater 1500W/750W
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 8.3 x 6.3 x 4 inches (21.1 x 16 x 10.2 cm) Type: Convection Heating Element: Ceramic Heating Capacity: 1500 watts Certifications: ETL Certified |
The Brightown Portable Electric Heater is one of the smaller space heaters available in the market and can warm up a 200 square foot room in a few seconds. Space heaters are a convenient option for staying warm indoors while saving on the hefty power bills that a centralized system would incur. Plus, it is small enough to fit in a bag for portability, and if you have 120V AC outlets in your RV camper, this fan will make an excellent companion in cold situations.
The Brightown heater features two heat settings and one cool fan mode for flexible usage depending on the weather. It also has a thermostat that helps maintain the desired temperature by cycling the heater on and off. The heater has a cool-touch ABS exterior with a built-in handle so you can carry it while in operation. We also like how the fan operates silently, and you can warm your room as you settle into sleep. However, it does not have a timer to switch it off when you fall asleep, but it will turn itself off when it starts to overheat. It also shuts itself when it gets knocked over or lifted off the ground to prevent accidental fires making it safe to operate with kids and pets.
Pros
- Compact heater with immense space heating ability,
- Energy efficient and versatile to use in any season,
- Safety features help prevent accidents with pets and kids,
- Robust construction with cool-touch exterior and carry handle,
- Silent operation for nighttime use
Cons
- Tips over quickly on uneven surfaces due to its lightweight,
- May have a short service life
5. Vornado Velocity 3R Whole Room Space Heater
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 10.8 x 9.7 x 7.5 inches (27.4 x 24.6 x 19.1 cm) Type: Forced Air Heating Element: Metal Heating Capacity: 1500 watts |
The Vornado Velocity 3R Space Heater is an elegantly designed forced fan heater that delivers more heat output than previous models in the Velocity Tuned Series. Vornado is a prolific air-treatment brand that produces high-quality appliances for residential applications. The Velocity 3R uses an aerodynamic fan to move heated air faster and farther into your space to create a warm environment. However, many users note that the fan is quite loud for a heater at this price range, and it also may not be as hot as it made out to be.
On the other hand, it features premium build quality supported by a 5-year satisfaction guarantee. Additionally, it features digital controls with a programmable timer and thermostat to enhance functionality. The heater has three heat settings: 750 watts on low, 1125 watts for medium, and 1500 watts at the high setting. The thermostat is easy to adjust and is accurate at maintaining the ambient temperature, while the 9-hour timer adds convenience to how you operate the heater.
Pros
- High quality build with a cool-touch housing and 6-foot power cord,
- User-friendly digital controls make it easy to operate,
- It features tip-over protection and automatic shutoff for safety,
- It comes with a 5-year satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- It may deliver a lower heat output than expected,
- The fan may be too loud for some applications
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with motor home heaters, we found that Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater, 1500-Watt is the best mobile home furnace available today.
Our Premium Option is Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove with Remote Control with all the best features and high-quality materials, but that’s only if you have more money to spend.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the PELONIS PHTPU1501 Ceramic Tower as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying mobile home furnaces
Noise level
It is often vital for an RV enthusiast’s sanity that they have a quiet RV heater. After all the only time a heater is turned on is when you are present, often overnight when you are trying to sleep. There’s nothing worse than going to a quiet, remote spot in nature to find a rare bit of peace only for the silence to be broken by the sound of a heater.
Of course, not all RV heater noises are bad – some you might find comforting or nostalgic. If you had a woodburning heater you might find the crackling of the heater to be a sound worth keeping around in the same way that some people find the sound of the sea, or the sound of rain helps them sleep.
Often RV heater noises are annoying though. No one heater is guaranteed to be quiet. How noisy a heater often depends on factors such as whether the heater is using a fan to disperse the hot air or not, what it is standing on or against (is it vibrating against something and making a lot of noise). Even use and wear of a heater might cause noise – some trapped air might be causing some banging.
When buying an RV heater, it is important to read the reviews of the specific heater that you are buying. This is how you will find information such as whether the noise is consistent, caused by wear, or just at events such as the furnace igniting. Some people will start to associate noise with oncoming warmth and find that this will help them get to sleep.
Safety Features
Always prioritize safety. Look for heaters with built-in safety features like tip-over protection, automatic shut-off in case of overheating, and cool-to-the-touch exteriors. This can give you peace of mind, especially in the confined space of an RV.
Fuel Source
There are different types of heaters: electric, propane, or diesel. Your choice depends on your RV setup and preference. Electric heaters are plug-and-play but can draw a lot on your battery. Propane and diesel heaters might require proper ventilation but can be more powerful and efficient for larger spaces.
Questions and Answers About mobile home furnaces
Can I put a regular furnace in a mobile home?
You can put a regular furnace in a mobile home, but it may be dangerous to do so. Running a furnace on oil would be dangerous in a mobile vehicle especially if mobile because of the risk of spillage of hot oil causing a fire or causing injury to someone. Even if the heater is not on, fuel such as oil and coal will still have a long cooldown period which means you cannot simply turn the heating off and be on your way. Exhaust gases produced by burners must go somewhere. This would mean a stovepipe or flue through the roof which could let in the cold and damp, causing drag as you drive along or getting taken out by the wind resistance or a pesty branch or even a low bridge. The combustion chamber inside a conventional furnace would be a safety concern for an RV. Inside the combustion chamber, gas is mixed with air and ignited by a spark. Any kind of spark is risky, especially when RV users might have other combustible gases nearby for cooking or refrigeration. The final thing to consider when using a conventional furnace is that some campsites include electricity as part of the facilities they provide. You will always have to pay extra for coal, oil, and gas.
How much does a furnace for a mobile home cost?
When buying a furnace for your mobile home it is important not to always just go for cheap. It is better to buy a potentially more premium but well-made, reliable furnace and it is costing you hundreds than buying a cheap, unsafe furnace and it costing you your entire RV and everything in it – maybe even your life.
For this reason, we do not recommend buying a second-hand furnace. You don’t know how the previous owner handled it, so you have no way of knowing if it’s safe or not. Second-hand furnaces may not meet modern safety or efficiency standards either.
A good quality, certified mobile home furnace from a reputable manufacturer/ distributor could cost anything from $700 for a 12,000 BTU furnace to $3,500 for a 75,000 BTU furnace.
What’s the difference between a mobile home furnace and a regular furnace?
A regular furnace is too large to be installed or used within the duct work of a mobile home. Also, mobile homes are not attached to permanent foundations, unlike regular homes. This means that a mobile home furnace needs to be small enough to fit within the ductwork of a mobile home and be self-contained enough that it can be enclosed within the parameters of the mobile home.
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