Estimating gas consumption for heating and fridge

[ianto999]

Please would you let me know what litre consumption you'd expect when using gas for heating (say to 18-20°) & 3 way fridge freezer for 16 hours per day.
Thanks in anticipation

Had much the same dilemma before the van arrived. How much gas? When/how to fill. Had an 11kg Gaslow fitted before first trip.
Here's the use from first weekend away on west coast in Dec;

Used 7L (Gaslow fill at end of trip), so -3.5L/Day

Van = 6.4M ducato (adria twin), ambient temp around 5-10c, very wet and windy. Gas fridge too. Truma 4e (used only on gas).Silverscreen on front. In and out of van a lot for faf.

Used heating during Saturday, (18c) for about 10 hours? enough to keep us very very warm when in van. Also left it on for longer to help dry very wet clothes. Fri and Sun less use, limited to PM and AM those days. Included hot water and shower use. Left heating off overnight, temp dropped to 12C but still warm in big duvet.
Was probably what I expected, depending on time in van/time out walking etc, could probably get an 11Kg (22L *0.8 = 17.6L) gaslow to last 5 days in heavy winter use off grid. Hope this helps.

 

[HugoBNB]

On our last trip three weeks ago, we used about 70% of a full 11kg Gaslow cylinder over 7 days. I think it calculated back to about 18ltrs on the refilling at the end of the trip. The fridge was on mid setting constantly. The hot water was on constantly. The heating (Alde) was on at 21⁰C from about 4pm to 10pm, then down to 12⁰C through the night, then back up to 21⁰C from about 7.30am to 9.30am. It was off during the middle of the day when we were out and about. I hope this is of use to you.
Safe and happy travels.

 

[Tude]

On our last trip three weeks ago, we used about 70% of a full 11kg Gaslow cylinder over 7 days. I think it calculated back to about 18ltrs on the refilling at the end of the trip. The fridge was on mid setting constantly. The hot water was on constantly. The heating (Alde) was on at 21⁰C from about 4pm to 10pm, then down to 12⁰C through the night, then back up to 21⁰C from about 7.30am to 9.30am. It was off during the middle of the day when we were out and about. I hope this is of use to you.
Safe and happy travels.

Please would you let me know what litre consumption you'd expect when using gas for heating (say to 18-20°) & 3 way fridge freezer for 16 hours per day.
Thanks in anticipation

3-4 litre’s a day

 

[HugoBNB]

3-4 litre’s a day

That looks about right. It was a taj warmer a few weeks ago, though.

 

[Gromett]

I am really glad I have my diesel heater now. Nowhere round here has a supply of calor or flogas cyclinders. Everyone panic bought and stocks have disappeared.
I have 20 Litres in my diesel tank, and another 20L in a jerry can. Enough for almost 3 weeks of these temps more if it warms up again.

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[ianto999]

Refill #2
Just filled gaslow after 48 hours in Scotland hills and snow (uk, so not Scandinavian levels). Ambient temp pretty much <0c whole time.
Fridge is gas, and 10 cups of tea brewed per day..via hob. Set to 12c overnight. Trauma 4e.
After 48 hours, we have filled 19L of lpg, into 11kg gaslow which makes me wonder if:
1) should put a bigger jumper on…turn thermostat down.
2) wasn’t filled properly before.
3) we will need to get used to a cooler van if we want to spare gas.
4) a ‘static’ week in winter would need another 11kg gaslow. I can now see why the ski/campers use underslung tanks

I guess it’s better than running on calor/flogas, as we would have nearly been at the end of second 6kg cylinder.

Anyone know how much extra gas ‘high’ uses compared with ‘eco’ or is that just a fan speed thing?

 

[Basildog]

Refill #2
Just filled gaslow after 48 hours in Scotland hills and snow (uk, so not Scandinavian levels). Ambient temp pretty much <0c whole time.
Fridge is gas, and 10 cups of tea brewed per day..via hob. Set to 12c overnight. Trauma 4e.
After 48 hours, we have filled 19L of lpg, into 11kg gaslow which makes me wonder if:
1) should put a bigger jumper on…turn thermostat down.
2) wasn’t filled properly before.
3) we will need to get used to a cooler van if we want to spare gas.
4) a ‘static’ week in winter would need another 11kg gaslow. I can now see why the ski/campers use underslung tanks

I guess it’s better than running on calor/flogas, as we would have nearly been at the end of second 6kg cylinder.

Anyone know how much extra gas ‘high’ uses compared with ‘eco’ or is that just a fan speed thing?

View attachment 840527

That sounds about right
I always took a 19kg as a back up when we were away for Xmas .
I don’t monitor gas usage anymore as the thermostat is controlled by another department well above my pay grade
I just understand that if we ever ran out of gas the consequences would be severe

 

[two]

How much you use will depend on several factors, but most gas will be used for heating.
If it's really cold outside, it's clearly going to require more heat to compensate.
If you want it really warm in the van, that will also require more gas.
You will also need more gas if your van is poorly insulated.
I keep mine to 11°C overnight, to come on at 7:00am. knowing that it's starting from the same temperature each morning means that I can be more reasonably sure that it'll be cosy enough for me when I get up. 11°C is just bearable for nightly visits to the loo and not too warm to make sleeping unbearable. temperature during the day is set to 21°C but with manual override (something you can't do whilst asleep).
I expect 13Kg to last at least 4days, but not in Scandinavia.

 

[greyowl989]

Everything ( almost ) I read and my little experience suggest that if you need/want heating overnight when it’s cold outside then it’s EHU or a diesel heater

I am on the EHU side right now - despite the cost- but am wondering if I can get a 2kw diesel fitted to a Ducato van and keep the truma 4e. The cost of replacing a 4e with a ( diesel ) 4d is a bit high.
A 40 + litre under slung lpg tank might be doable but we only have a 20 ( 16L effective )
Might be different if we were young but we are not so it’s 17-18 min at night

 

[ianto999]

One of

Everything ( almost ) I read and my little experience suggest that if you need/want heating overnight when it’s cold outside then it’s EHU or a diesel heater

I am on the EHU side right now - despite the cost- but am wondering if I can get a 2kw diesel fitted to a Ducato van and keep the truma 4e. The cost of replacing a 4e with a ( diesel ) 4d is a bit high.
A 40 + litre under slung lpg tank might be doable but we only have a 20 ( 16L effective )
Might be different if we were young but we are not so it’s 17-18 min at night

the Scandinavian adria twin owners added an extra diesel heater to Truma gas

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[ianto999]

One of

the Scandinavian adria twin owners added an extra diesel heater to Truma gas

 

[Lenny HB]

Anyone know how much extra gas ‘high’ uses compared with ‘eco’ or is that just a fan speed thing?

Just the fan speed but as it pushes the air around the van faster so effectively the temp the sensor sees it as a lower so it does run a bit longer.

If we set ours 12° it would never come on at night. Depends how good the insulation is an a double floor helps

You don't say what van you have but I assume it's quite small as you only have a Combi 4e.

 

[ianto999]

Just the fan speed but as it pushes the air around the van faster so effectively the temp the sensor sees it as a lower so it does run a bit longer.

If we set ours 12° it would never come on at night. Depends how good the insulation is an a double floor helps

You don't say what van you have but I assume it's quite small as you only have a Combi 4e.

Thank - Yes it’s a 6.4m adria twin, seems pretty well insulated, hasn’t dropped to needing much overnight (heater is below bed so would hear it…) and there is hardly any condensation in the morning. Think the biggest propane cylinder we can get in the locker is 2*6kg calor/flogas, or 11kg*2 gaslow.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thank - Yes it’s a 6.4m adria twin, seems pretty well insulated, hasn’t dropped to needing much overnight (heater is below bed so would hear it…) and there is hardly any condensation in the morning. Think the biggest propane cylinder we can get in the locker is 2*6kg calor/flogas, or 11kg*2 gaslow.

Thats a bit stingy of them, a PVC because of the poor insulation it really needs a 6E, all the Hymer & Malibu PVC's fit the 6E.

 

[davidathomas42]

You guys keep it cold at night!

I set my thermostat to 20deg at night. 23 in the day currently. Probably barrel thru gas but I would rather spend the money than be cold. Only real issue is my 7.5kg safe full bottle will last about 2 night in these temps insane temps.

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[Fatboy]

You guys keep it cold at night!

I set my thermostat to 20deg at night. 23 in the day currently. Probably barrel thru gas but I would rather spend the money than be cold. Only real issue is my 7.5kg safe full bottle will last about 2 night in these temps insane temps.

Agree the only issues these days is where to buy gas, looks like Asda are doing away with it in my town. That only leaves Morissons or 20 mile drive.

 

[Fatboy]

We have a Kontiki 884, so 9m van with three areas, big Lounge, centre washroom and end bedroom. ALDE heating which I think is pants and I have an 11 and 6kg Gaslow because thanks to Swift that's all I can carry. We have been caught out last year, so I fit a diesel heater, great heat but noisy and not good for the neighbours. Our Motorhome in on the drive and with a good covering of snow and -1degC over the weekend, I thought I'd see how it would work out. I warmed the Motorhome to 20 degC on diesel and then switched on the 6kg gas set at 19 deg, warm, but I would say not hot. That was around 2pm Saturday, 9pm I turned it down to 13 degC. Sunday 9am back up to 19, the bedroom is freezing at this point and was down to 10 degrees. Kept this at 19, left the bedroom doors open, the bedroom never got above 15 degrees. 9pm I set the heating for 13 degrees. Monday morning (Today) I went to up the temp and the 6kg was empty. This is without hot water and fridge running, So I can safely say my 11kg and 6kg will last me 3 to 4 days max and that's without being as warm as I want it to be.

So the conclusion is
I HATE ALDE HEATING
Swift Gas locker is too small, I would like at least 2 x 11KG
I'm away new year for 4 days, so use the diesel heater or I'll run out of gas

 

[Tude]

We have a Kontiki 884, so 9m van with three areas, big Lounge, centre washroom and end bedroom. ALDE heating which I think is pants and I have an 11 and 6kg Gaslow because thanks to Swift that's all I can carry. We have been caught out last year, so I fit a diesel heater, great heat but noisy and not good for the neighbours. Our Motorhome in on the drive and with a good covering of snow and -1degC over the weekend, I thought I'd see how it would work out. I warmed the Motorhome to 20 degC on diesel and then switched on the 6kg gas set at 19 deg, warm, but I would say not hot. That was around 2pm Saturday, 9pm I turned it down to 13 degC. Sunday 9am back up to 19, the bedroom is freezing at this point and was down to 10 degrees. Kept this at 19, left the bedroom doors open, the bedroom never got above 15 degrees. 9pm I set the heating for 13 degrees. Monday morning (Today) I went to up the temp and the 6kg was empty. This is without hot water and fridge running, So I can safely say my 11kg and 6kg will last me 3 to 4 days max and that's without being as warm as I want it to be.

So the conclusion is
I HATE ALDE HEATING
Swift Gas locker is too small, I would like at least 2 x 11KG
I'm away new year for 4 days, so use the diesel heater or I'll run out of gas

Well I’m completely the opposite we have a 8 metre autotrail Delaware with alde heating and it’s fabulous everywhere apart from cab area unless I put the two alde fans on. We have 2x11kg gaslow which in this weather last 2 weeks.

 

[two]

I'm pretty sure that gas is the cheapest way to heat the van, but you need refillable to make it cheaper.
I have two SafeFill cylinders that hold over 20litres each. This time of year I'll make sure they are full before I venture off.
The cost of LPG is the same per litre, however much you buy, so it doesn't matter if cannot fit the largest cylinder in - it just means you'll need to re-fill more often.
If you're a 'Winter wanderer', refillable are going to repay their outlay very quickly. I think them worthwhile just for the ability to set-off full without having to discard what was left in the bottom of an exchange each time. Gas in small bottles is way too expensive (and inconvenient) at this time of year.
I preferred SafeFill to Gas-it/Low because I can get them refilled in the car and the cylinders are lighter.

 

[Fatboy]

I'm pretty sure that gas is the cheapest way to heat the van, but you need refillable to make it cheaper.
I have two SafeFill cylinders that hold over 20litres each. This time of year I'll make sure they are full before I venture off.
The cost of LPG is the same per litre, however much you buy, so it doesn't matter if cannot fit the largest cylinder in - it just means you'll need to re-fill more often.
If you're a 'Winter wanderer', refillable are going to repay their outlay very quickly. I think them worthwhile just for the ability to set-off full without having to discard what was left in the bottom of an exchange each time. Gas in small bottles is way too expensive (and inconvenient) at this time of year.
I preferred SafeFill to Gas-it/Low because I can get them refilled in the car and the cylinders are lighter.

Agree if it’s readily available but not if you have to drive 20 or 30 mile to find a supplier

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[two]

I drive 20 miles, but call-in when I'm in that direction (using the car, with SafeFill)
Otherwise, I'd call at a station on route to my next destination in the van.

 

[CAB96]

You guys keep it cold at night!

I set my thermostat to 20deg at night. 23 in the day currently. Probably barrel thru gas but I would rather spend the money than be cold. Only real issue is my 7.5kg safe full bottle will last about 2 night in these temps insane temps.

Serious question, but why so warm at night?

Is it just personal preference?

Can't you just get a better duvet or chuck a blanket on top?

Did you do the same in a house?

Not meaning to pry or judge, just curious, feel free to disregard.

 

[ianto999]

Truma thermostat can also be 5c inaccurate, according to our separate one, so it’s hard to compare what the real temp is?

 

[Gromett]

I'm pretty sure that gas is the cheapest way to heat the van, but you need refillable to make it cheaper.

If you want the cheapest heating solution then it is a diesel heater running on Red diesel or Kerosene if available.
I did a thread about my 2KW heater and running it is even cheaper than my old van on LPG.

 

[greyowl989]

Truma thermostat can also be 5c inaccurate, according to our separate one, so it’s hard to compare what the real temp is?

Can you calibrate it? I haven’t checked.

Ours, for a Combi 4e, seems to be to within a degree - maybe just by “accident”. Seems to vary unit to unit from what you say.

I have a temperature probe which I happened to leave in the van so tested the temperature around the living area of the PVC. The truma sensor is in a panel above the sliding door.

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[mark49]

We are in a cold ish south of uk atm and going through roughly 7 litres LPG, every 2 days which is probably £3.50 a day.

 

[mark49]

Oops, that’s heating only as we’re plugged in!

 

[ianto999]

Y

Can you calibrate it? I haven’t checked.

Ours, for a Combi 4e, seems to be to within a degree - maybe just by “accident”. Seems to vary unit to unit from what you say.

I have a temperature probe which I happened to leave in the van so tested the temperature around the living area of the PVC. The truma sensor is in a panel above the sliding door.the

Can you calibrate it? I haven’t checked.

Ours, for a Combi 4e, seems to be to within a degree - maybe just by “accident”. Seems to vary unit to unit from what you say.

I have a temperature probe which I happened to leave in the van so tested the temperature around the living area of the PVC. The truma sensor is in a panel above the sliding door.

there is an “offset’ function in Truma settings. We have been adjusting that so it seems closer to panel thermostat.

 

[Lenny HB]

Truma thermostat can also be 5c inaccurate, according to our separate one, so it’s hard to compare what the real temp is?

Have you not set up the offset?
Although it won't compensate for that difference it will help.

 

[Lenny HB]

Serious question, but why so warm at night?

Is it just personal preference?

Can't you just get a better duvet or chuck a blanket on top?

Did you do the same in a house?

Not meaning to pry or judge, just curious, feel free to disregard.

I thought that we never have heating on at night in the van or house.

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