Portable heaters – adding warmth without adding risk

Portable heaters are often brought into caravans to take the chill off during colder trips, shoulder seasons, or winter storage visits. Used sensibly, they can add comfort. Used poorly, they can create real safety issues.

This page explains the types of portable heaters caravanners commonly use, when they make sense, and where caution is essential.

What is a portable heater?

A portable heater is a freestanding, non-built-in heat source that plugs into the caravan’s electrical supply (usually mains hook-up).

They’re typically used to:

  • Supplement the caravan’s main heating

  • Warm a specific area quickly

  • Provide background heat in cooler weather

They are not designed to replace a caravan’s fixed heating system.

Common types of portable heaters used in caravans

Fan heaters

These blow warm air into the space quickly.

Why caravanners use them

  • Rapid heat output

  • Compact and lightweight

  • Useful for quick warm-ups

Things to be aware of

  • Can be noisy

  • Use higher power

  • Best used for short periods

Oil-filled radiators

These provide slow, steady background warmth.

Why they’re popular

  • Quiet operation

  • Gentle, even heat

  • Good for longer use

Things to be aware of

  • Heavier and bulkier

  • Slower to heat up

  • Take up more floor space

Ceramic heaters

These sit somewhere between fan heaters and radiators.

Why some caravanners choose them

  • Efficient heat output

  • Compact size

  • Often include tip-over protection

They’re commonly used where space is limited but steady heat is still wanted.

Electric only – an important distinction

Portable heaters used in caravans should be electric only.

Gas, diesel, or fuel-burning portable heaters:

  • Are not suitable for caravan interiors

  • Create serious carbon monoxide risks

  • Should never be used inside enclosed spaces

If it burns fuel, it doesn’t belong inside a caravan.

Power limits and hook-up reality

Many caravan pitches supply:

  • 6A, 10A, or 16A electric hook-up

Portable heaters can draw a significant amount of power, especially when combined with:

  • Kettles

  • Microwaves

  • Water heaters

Understanding your hook-up limit helps avoid nuisance trips — or worse, overheated cables.

Placement and clearance

Where a heater sits matters just as much as the type.

Good practice includes:

  • Keeping heaters clear of soft furnishings

  • Never placing them near bedding or curtains

  • Ensuring air vents aren’t blocked

  • Positioning them on stable, flat surfaces

A heater that tips or overheats can become a problem very quickly.

Using portable heaters alongside built-in heating

Portable heaters work best as:

  • A supplement, not a replacement

  • A short-term comfort boost

  • A way to warm a space quickly

Built-in caravan heating systems are designed for:

  • Safe, distributed heat

  • Long-term use

  • Correct ventilation

If you’re relying heavily on a portable heater, it’s worth asking why.

🔧 TalkWrench Tip

If you’re using a portable heater, run it on its lowest effective setting.
Caravans are small spaces — once warm, gentle heat maintains comfort without stressing electrics or airflow.

Storage and transport

When travelling:

  • Allow heaters to cool fully before packing away

  • Secure them so they can’t move

  • Store away from damp areas

A heater rattling around a locker is more likely to get damaged — or forgotten until it’s needed most.

The takeaway

Portable heaters can add comfort, but they demand respect.

Used sensibly, electrically, and with proper awareness of power limits and placement, they can help take the edge off colder trips. Used carelessly, they introduce risks that simply aren’t worth it.

Warmth should feel reassuring — not worrying.

For additional comfort, check out Mattress Toppers

Looking for ventilation, look no further

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