- How to insulate a caravan in winter
- How to keep a caravan warm in winter
- What are the best caravan heaters?
- Protecting your caravan after returning or when it isn’t in use
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How to insulate a caravan in winter
All the heat within a caravan is pointless unless the caravan is insulated well. The best insulated caravans are those that keep as much warmth as possible inside the caravan. You can easily achieve caravan insulation with some small investments, smart thinking and even from things you have lying around:
External water carriers
External water carriers can be vulnerable to freezing in winter weather. Investing in an insulation bag may help to prevent the contents from freezing. If you don't have time to purchase one of these you can try using bubble wrap, old duvets or quilted coats. It’s also a good idea to keep a small container of freshwater inside, too. This way if you get desperate, you’ll have an emergency supply until you can get more/the larger container unfreezes.
Switch from butane to propane
Butane gas won’t work in temperatures lower than five degrees Celsius, so during winter, you'll need to switch from butane to propane cylinders as propane operates at a higher pressure and you can still use them even if temperatures plummet. Don't forget to change the regulator too as it won't be interchangeable between the two cylinders.
Insulate pipes
Wastewater is also at risk of freezing in harsh conditions. To avoid this, you can softly insulate the pipes using padding, add salt to the wastewater container or use a glycol-free antifreeze.
Switch from single-glazed to double-glazed windows
Switching from single-glazed to double-glazed windows add an extra barrier to the cold outside, reducing the amount of heat being transferred. Double glazing locks in the heat, which is great for winter but might make the caravan stuffier in summer, so it’s worth weighing up whether it’s worth it.
If double-glazed windows are too much of a budget stretch, a layer or two of plastic sheeting can be stuck onto single-glazed windows to add extra protection from the cold.
Install curtains or thermal blinds
Speaking of windows, you can also lock in the heat by installing curtains or using thermal blinds. These deflect some of the cold trying to get in and adds a few more layers to keep all the precious heat in.
A caravan can lose a lot of heat through wheel arches and the gaps in the caravan door; you can minimise this by adding padded insulation like carpet, polystyrene, pillows or a draught excluder.
Install awning
Placing a porch awning over the entrance of your caravan can stop some of the heat that can escape when you open the door.
Remember never to block the air vents, no matter how draughty they get as this is a fire hazard.