subject: Reduce Your Rv Power Usage With These Tips [print this page] Todays recreational vehicle, also known as the RV, will offer the occupants all the typical amenities of home on a reduced scale. For many, their RV becomes a second home and a way to not only travel but to live in comfort. Just like with any home, however, come regular expenses.
While there are several ways to protect your RV from damage, such as RV covers against the elements and locking devices to deter thieves, many find the most damage comes from the power bill. With the right supplies, however, you can turn your RV into a simple power-saving home and live comfortably without public utilities.
Here are some fantastic tips that will help you save power when you are using your RV:
- Heating - Try using a small propane fireplace or a catalytic heater instead of a RV furnace. They dont use electricity and the fireplace as well as the heater uses a small amount of propane. Its a win/win situation.
- Lighting - Many of the RVs on the road are equipped with 50-watt halogen bulbs. These types of lights, if they are left on for a long time, will wear down your battery. The best alternative for you would be to use an L.E.D. bulb. It may be a little more at the register but they use less power and they last longer.
- Cooking - By using propane, you can cook without using electricity period. You can do this outside or in the RV itself. Even the stove can be powered by propane these days.
- Laundry - Everyone is going to have dirty laundry at some point. When you decide to do it is completely up to you. The best thing to do is to wait until you can wash your clothes by hand or where you can wait to use a Laundromat or, even better, until you get home.
- Charging items - Invest in a 12v charger instead of trying to charge everything through plug-ins. The RVs cigarette lighter is there for a reason and you should use it, especially when you are driving around.
- Water heater and water pump - Shut off your pump and heater until you need it. These draw off power constantly. Your tank will only need about 15 minutes to heat up the water in its reservoir. You will have plenty of water the whole day if you leave it on for about 2 hours or so. The best the thing to do is turn it on around 8 am and shut it off around 10am.
