How To Keep Your Airstream Warm in Freezing Temps: Heat Pump vs. Furnace

What is the best way to heat an Airstream in winter?

Learn how I stayed warm in my 2022 #airstream Globetrotter 27' using both the heat pump and furnace.

In this video, I break down:
🔥 When and how to use a heat pump
🛠️ When and how to use your Airstream furnace
💡 Pro tips on managing propane and batteries
📱 Bonus: How to use power management apps like Victron Connect.

Check out the FAQ section below for detailed answers to common heating questions pulled from Airstream forums.

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(0:00 - 1:02) Intro
(1:02 - 1:39) Heating Option One: The Heat Pump
(1:40 - 2:10) Heating Option Two: The Furnace
(2:11 - 2:28) Heads up: The Water Heater Safety Mechanism
(2:29 - 2:36) Preparing to Winterize the Water Heater
(2:37 - 2:43) Victron Connect App
(2:44 - 3:12) Check Out the FAQ's for Answers

FAQs
Question: What if the furnace comes on several times but doesn't light?
Answer: Check the sail switch. It's a sensitive thin strip of metal that activates and deactivates the furnace based on the airflow through the ductwork. If there is a blockage in the duct or the fan is not working properly, the sail switch won't activate, preventing the furnace from running without proper airflow. Over time, dust, cat hair, lint, and debris can build up on the sail switch, impacting its functionality, so regular cleaning is recommended.

Question: We have a 27 Globetrotter FBQ and when we turn the heat on Zone 1 stays electric and Zone 2 we can switch from electric to propane. How do we switch Zone 1 to propane? Or is their only one zone that we can use propane?
Answer: Typically, the electric-powered heat pump operates for both Zone 1 and Zone 2. However, the gas/electric-powered furnace focuses on only one zone, delivering warmth at floor level and also warming the belly pans and pipes.

Question: Which fan setting should I use for the heat pump?
Answer: According to Airstream, "always set the fan setting to "Auto" for the most efficient operation; this means the fan will only run when the system is actively heating or cooling, saving energy."

Question: I own a 2024 Flying Cloud 25 FTB. It’s supposed to be 38 degrees tonight. If I use the heat pump when I go to bed and the temperature inside drops more than four degrees because the heat pump stops working when the temperature outside drops below 40 degrees, does the furnace come on automatically?
Answer: According to your 2024 Flying Cloud owner's manual, yes, the furnace will come on automatically if you choose the correct MODE setting on the thermostat! I checked the manual for my 2022 Globetrotter and did not see this as an option.
Per the manual, go to your thermostat "mode' settings and select HEAT PUMP + FURNACE

Question: My unit offers a mode for both Heat Pump and Furnace. When both the heat pump and furnace are selected on the thermostat, how does the system decide which to use?
Answer: To conserve LPG, the rooftop unit will first operate the heat pump to raise the temperature. The furnace will be turned ON if the interior temperature drifts more than 3 degrees from the setpoint (see TEMP button below). The furnace will automatically turn on if the outdoor temperature drops below 25°F or if the heat pump begins to defrost.

Question: Can a space heater influence the thermostat for the furnace?
Answer: Yes, if you use a space heater at night, be aware that it may influence the thermostat and prevent the furnace from working.

Question: What power source is required to run the furnace?
Answer: Propane plus battery for the fan.

Question: With freezing temps while boondocking, will our batteries last all night with the furnace and fridge running?
Answer: According to Airstream, the blower that circulates warm air throughout your travel trailer runs on electricity, but its low power draw makes the furnace a great option for maintaining your batteries when you’re camping off the grid in colder temps. Some say with at or near 100% charge, you should be able run the furnace a full night. One tip is to lower the refrigerator setting so it doesn't need to run as much when sleeping.

Question: Can you have the furnace on in the front of the cabin and the heat pump on in the back with no problems?
Answer: The option to run the heat pump and furnace simultaneously depends on the mode so make sure to check your owners manual or look at the mode options on your thermostat.

More tips I pulled from the Forums:
To get the bedroom warmer, invest in a space heater of some kind. It doesn’t take much, we have a Vornado but any small one will do. Electric blankets or mattress pads also work pretty well.

Heat pump is simply a reverse function of the AC unit, noisy, puts the warm air back in on the ceiling and is only effective for about 25 degrees of warmth, plus it get less effective the lower the external temperature gets.