Knowledge Builders

what size rv furnace do i need

by Aliya Ratke Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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1. How Much Space Do You Have for Your RV Furnace?

RV Furnace Size Atwood RV Furnace Model
12” W x 7” H x 20” D Atwood 32715 AFSD12111
Atwood 32719 AFSD16111
Atwood 32723
16.5” W x 7” H x 20” D Atwood 32663
Jun 22 2022

General rule of thumb for an RV furnace is 1k BTU/hr per foot of trailer. Each human adds about 100 watts. A 1.5 kw heater is about 5k BTU/hr (as noted). A 26' trailer by the rule of thumb would need 5 of those standard 110v heaters.Sep 30, 2010

Full Answer

What size Furnace do I need for my home?

(Example 3) Furnace size for a 3,000 square foot home range from 105,000 BTU to 180,000 BTU, depending on the climate zone you’re in. Here is a table with calculated 3,000 sq ft furnace sizes for all 5 regions:

Do you need a furnace for your RV?

Your furnace is the main source of heat for your RV and if you are like me, just because it is cold outside does not mean you can’t enjoy your investment. Your furnace should keep your RV warm and comfortable inside during the cooler months when the outside temperatures drop. What size furnace do you need?

How many BTUs does a furnace produce?

For example, if a furnace has a listed input rating of 90,000 Btu's and an efficiency rating of 80%, it will produce

Why does my RV have electric heat but not propane?

If there is only one heat option, it will be for the propane furnace. A lot of RV’s only have the propane furnace for a heat source. If you don have the heat pump in the AC and you select “electric heat” but the furnace is running, there is a problem with the thermostat.

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How many watts is a 30000 BTU RV furnace?

On average, an RV furnace uses between 37 to 150 watts per hour based on the BTU of the furnace.

Are RV furnaces interchangeable?

Camper furnaces are directly interchangeable with RV furnaces. We have Atwood furnaces as well as Surburban, so no matter what unit needs to be replaced in your RV, we have it.

Is an RV furnace 12 volt or 110?

RV Furnace is a forced-air system that is powered by propane and electricity. It operates in a 12 volts DC power and can run from a battery, generator, or from 110 using your RV's converter when it is plugged into electricity.

How many amps RV furnace?

Mark J. Polk120 Volt AC Amp RatingsAppliance or Electronic EquipmentEstimated AmpsFluorescent Light1-2 AmpsFurnace10-12 AmpsLP Gas Leak Detector1 Amp43 more rows

How do you size an RV heater?

General rule of thumb for an RV furnace is 1k BTU/hr per foot of trailer. Each human adds about 100 watts. A 1.5 kw heater is about 5k BTU/hr (as noted). A 26' trailer by the rule of thumb would need 5 of those standard 110v heaters.

What is the most efficient RV furnace?

10 Best & Most Energy Efficient RV Furnaces (in 2022)Suburban SF-42Q.Atwood 32690.Suburban 2503ABK.Suburban 2390A.Suburban 2504ABK.Dometic Corp 32715.Suburban NT-20S.Suburban NT-16S.More items...•

Can you run RV furnace all night?

The propane heater / furnace still needs electricity to run the blower, so in most RV's would expect you to run down the house batteries overnight, unless you are plugged in.

Can I run my RV furnace without electricity?

Use a Portable Space Heater in your RV One of the easiest ways to heat a camper without electricity is to use a portable propane heater. These small heaters can efficiently heat a space without needing to be plugged in because they run off propane gas.

Can I run my RV furnace without a battery?

Will Your RV Work Without a Battery? Your RV needs a minimum of one power source in order to function and supply power to your appliances. If you are already connected to shore power source, you do not need a battery, as long as the converter is working properly.

Can you run a 30 amp RV on 15 amp?

You'll have to convert it from your 30 or 50 amp service to the 15 amp service. Then you can plug it directly to the standard three prong plug in your garage. For 30 amp RVs, you'll need: 30a female to 15a male. Remove the 30 amp plug from the generator plug, like you would at an RV campground.

How many amps does a Dometic furnace draw?

The draw of an RV furnace amp relies on the British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating, which dictates the size of the blower fan. For example, a typical 35,000 BTU furnace will draw an average of eight to nine amps. Models that are 40,000 BTU or higher will draw more amperage.

How long will RV furnace run on propane?

about three hoursOn average, a 20-pound propane tank will run recreational vehicles furnaces for about three hours of continuous use. Keep in mind that your furnace does not continuously run.

How to determine BTU for RV furnace?

To determine the BTU input required for your RV, check the data plate on your current furnace. Your replacement RV furnace should be the same BTU size or a close equivalent. The larger the RV furnace, the greater the heat output and coverage area will be.

Do RV lights run off AC power?

Typically, lights, fans, water pumps and electronics run off DC power. Both systems are connected and work together. If you have AC power coming into your RV, it will charge up your DC system via a converter device. Most RVs also have an inverter device, which turns DC power into AC power.

What Size Furnace Do I Need For A 1000 Sq Ft House? (Example 1)

Let’s say we have a nice 1,000 square foot home in Los Angeles, California. We need two data points:

What Size Furnace Do I Need For A 2000 Square Foot Home? (Example 2)

2000 sq ft houses need double the furnace capacity compared to 1000 sq ft house.

What Size Furnace Do I Need For A 3000 Square Foot Home? (Example 3)

Furnace size for a 3,000 square foot home range from 105,000 BTU to 180,000 BTU, depending on the climate zone you’re in. Here is a table with calculated 3,000 sq ft furnace sizes for all 5 regions:

1. Suburban 2017APW

If there is one brand that leads the pack in the RV Furnace market, it is Suburban. We’re going to look at some of their best models in this list. But we kick off with one of their most popular, the Surburban 2017APW from their Dynatrail series.

2. Suburban SF-30FQ

If you’re looking for a more substantial heat source than our previous entry, the Suburban SF-30 FQ is a compelling alternative.

3. Suburban SF-42Q

Not every RV furnace is made by Suburban, but this entry demonstrates how this dependable manufacturer caters to every need. The Suburban SF-42Q is a powerful beast that purrs quietly, catering to those who crave tropical heat in the depths of a northern winter.

4. Atwood 32690

There is more to the RV furnace market than one brand, and the Dometic Atwood 32690 is one of the leading alternatives.

5. Suburban 2503ABK

If you’re looking for an inexpensive option to warm a less spacious RV, the Suburban 2503ABK from the NT-SEQ series is a solid choice.

6. Suburban 2390A

Emphasizing depth in the Suburban RV catalog, the moderately powered Suburban 2390 SF25Q delivers everything we’ve come to expect from the range.

7. Suburban 2504ABK

RV furnaces basically come in two shapes and sizes. Flatter units with wider bodies, and taller, slimmer units. The Suburban 2504 ABK (NT-20SEQ) is the latter.

Heating Guide

Use the lower of the two numbers if your home is well insulated and the higher number if it is older or poorly insulated. (Hint: Use the larger of the two numbers above if you're unsure of your home's insulation)

Insulation Variables

Variables such as your insulation, type and number of windows, number of stories, construction type, etc. will greatly affect the required Btu's per square for both heating and cooling.

What does an RV furnace need?

An RV furnace needs both battery power and a fuel, such as propane to function. We’ll also talk about the minimum amount of battery power needed to keep your RV furnace running. If your RV furnace isn’t working right, there are things to check, and you’ll learn about them here.

How to check if furnace is sparking?

If it controls the heater and AC, then jump the +R with white. Next, check the furnace to see if it is trying to spark by listening for a ticking or spark attempt.

How fast do furnace batteries drain?

When the temperature drops below freezing, the furnace will work twice as hard and drain the batteries faster. If your batteries are sulfated, they will seem to be charged at 12.6 volts, but will drain much faster than the 85 amp hours they are supposed to provide or more for a higher group rating.

How does a furnace work?

Yes this is how all furnaces work. The heat being made from the flame is inside a combustion chamber. For the flame to light, there has to be a good air-to-gas ratio. New air has to come into the combustion chamber to keep the flame lit and the fumes from the flame burning need to exit out the exhaust.

Why is my RV so cozy?

While in a tent you’re subject to the whims of Mother Nature, but your RV will always be cozy because of insulation and a working furnace. Much like a house furnace, an RV furnace has a central spot that creates the heat and a series of ducts or tubes that carry the warm air into the various parts of the interior.

Does an RV have a propane furnace?

If there is only one heat option, it will be for the propane furnace. A lot of RV’s only have the propane furnace for a heat source.

Do RV furnaces run on electricity?

RV furnaces use liquid propane to generate heat. But the igniter switch and blower use electricity to operate. So both are typically necessary to operate an RV furnace.

How many amps does an RV furnace fan draw?

On average, an RV furnace will use between 4 and 14 amps based on the BTU size of the furnace. Typically, small travel trailers and Class B RVs would be between 3 to 4 amps, whereas Class C, A, and fifth-wheel RVs will be between 7 to 13 amps.

What size generator do I need to run my RV furnace?

A generator that is at least 4000 watts (often expressed as 4 kW) is the minimum size recommended for Class C, Class A, or fifth-wheel RVs, whereas a small trailer or Class B may be fine with a 2000 watt generator. But generators can go up to 12,000 watts.

Do RV furnaces run on 12-volt?

RV furnaces run on 12 volts. It runs the blower of your furnace, which is what pushes the heated air from the propane heater into the RV. And it ignites the pilot light that heats the propane.

Can an RV furnace run without electricity and just on propane?

An RV furnace needs an electricity source to power the igniter and the blower. That electricity source can come from shore power, a generator, or battery power.

Conclusion

In the article, we explored whether RV furnaces run on electricity and how many amps an RV furnace fan draws.

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