Campervan Heating UK 2026: Diesel vs Gas vs Electric — The Complete Guide
Keeping a campervan warm in a British winter is the single biggest quality-of-life factor in van life. A damp, cold van is miserable. A warm, dry one is a sanctuary.
I have run three heating systems in my van over two years: a £120 Chinese diesel heater, a £50 240V fan heater (on hook-up), and a portable gas heater (briefly — I do not recommend it). This guide covers what works for UK conditions, what each system costs to buy and run, and the installation gotchas that matter.
Diesel Heaters: The UK Van Life Standard
Diesel heaters are the default for UK van life for one reason: they provide dry, consistent heat without draining your battery or requiring mains hook-up. They run off the van's diesel tank (or a separate tank), draw ~1A once running, and produce 2–5kW of heat.
Chinese Diesel Heaters (CDH)
Cost: £100–200 for a full kit (heater, controller, fuel pump, exhaust, ducting) Running cost: ~£0.10–0.30/hour (diesel at £1.50/L, 0.1–0.2L/hour at 2kW) Installation: DIY in 4–6 hours Noise: 45–52 dB at 1m (with standard fuel pump)
Chinese heaters (Vevor, Afterburner, Autoterm) have improved massively since 2020. The current generation uses better controllers, quieter fuel pumps, and more reliable glow plugs. A well-installed £140 CDH will keep a Transit Custom warm through a -5°C night.
Installation essentials:
- Mount the fuel pump outside the van (on the chassis rail) with the rubber bracket — the tick noise is the most annoying thing about CDH
- Use rubber isolation mounts for the heater unit itself — hard-bolting to a metal seat base turns the whole seat into a soundboard
- Route the exhaust outside the van footprint, pointing away from the underside
- Wire to a fused ignition-switched supply so the heater cannot drain the starter battery if left on accidentally
Best for: Every UK van build. Seriously. There is no reason to spend £800+ on a Webasto unless you have specific requirements.
Webasto and Eberspacher
Cost: £800–1,400 for full kit Running cost: ~£0.10–0.25/hour (slightly more efficient than CDH) Installation: Professional recommended (or experienced DIY) Noise: 36–42 dB at 1m
The German premium buys you: certified safety (E-mark), immediate spare parts at any UK van factor, quieter operation, and resale value. If you are building a professional conversion for sale, or if you need absolute reliability in the Scottish Highlands in January, a Webasto or Eberspacher justifies its cost.
For most self-builders, the £700+ premium over a CDH does not make sense. Spend the difference on a better battery.
Diesel Heater Sizing
| Van Type | Recommended Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VW Caddy / Berlingo | 2kW | 5kW will short-cycle |
| VW Transporter T5/T6 | 2kW | Well-insulated is fine |
| Ford Transit Custom | 2kW–3kW | 2kW for well-insulated, 3kW for minimal |
| Mercedes Sprinter LWB | 3kW–5kW | Larger space needs more output |
| Fiat Ducato / Relay | 5kW | Open-plan build |
Oversizing is the most common mistake. A heater that is too large runs for 5 minutes, hits the thermostat, shuts off for 10 minutes, restarts — this cycling wears the glow plug and creates temperature swings. Aim for 40–70% duty cycle at your typical winter temperature.
Gas Heaters (Propane)
Cost: £200–500 (Propex, Truma) | Running cost: ~£0.30–0.60/hour | Installation: Professional (Gas Safe required)
Gas heaters (Propex HS2000, Truma Combi) produce warm, dry heat and run on propane — the same bottle as your hob. They are popular in factory-built campervans (Truma is standard in most European motorhomes).
Pros:
- Dry heat — no condensation from combustion (combustion air is drawn from outside)
- Quiet — the fan noise is the only sound, no fuel pump ticking
- Reliable — simple technology, few failure points
- Runs on existing gas supply
Cons:
- Gas Safe certification required by law — you cannot DIY a gas heater installation
- Installation cost is high: £200–400 for the heater + £150–300 for Gas Safe inspection
- Propane is bulky — a 6kg bottle lasts ~2 weeks of continuous use in winter
- Gas bottles cannot be stored in the living space (must be in a sealed external locker)
- Cold weather performance: propane vaporisation drops below -5°C, which can starve the heater
Best for: Factory campervans, professional conversions, people who are intimidated by diesel heater wiring
Electric Heaters (240V)
Cost: £15–50 (fan heater) / £150–400 (diesel-powered heater with electric element) Running cost: ~£0.30–0.60/hour (at 25p/kWh) Installation: Plug in
Electric heaters are only viable on mains hook-up. A 2kW fan heater running for 8 hours uses 16kWh — that is £4/night and will drain a 200Ah LiFePO4 in under 2 hours off-grid.
Diesel heaters with electric elements (like the Webasto Dual Top or Eberspacher Hydronic with electric boost) are a premium option: use the electric element on hook-up (free/cheap) and switch to diesel off-grid. Handy but expensive.
Best for: Campsite heating only. Not viable as primary off-grid heat.
Which One Should You Choose?
| Heating System | Buy Cost | Annual Running Cost (6 months winter, 8h/night) | Off-Grid? | DIY Install? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese diesel heater | £140 | £90–160 | Yes | Yes |
| Propex gas heater | £350 | £180–360 | Yes | No (Gas Safe) |
| Webasto/Eberspacher diesel | £1,000 | £80–140 | Yes | Possible |
| 240V fan heater | £25 | £180–360 (on hook-up) | No | N/A |
| Truma Combi (gas + electric) | £1,200 | Varies | Yes (gas mode) | No |
The verdict: For 95% of UK van builders, a 2kW Chinese diesel heater from a reputable brand (Autoterm, Planar, or a well-reviewed Amazon unit in the £130–180 range) is the best choice. Install it properly with rubber mounts, external fuel pump, and correct exhaust routing.
Spend the money you saved on better insulation — it reduces the run time of any heater by 30–50%.
Installation Checklist (Diesel Heater)
- Choose location: Under a passenger seat or in a seat base box. NOT under the van (exposed to road spray).
- Mount heater: Use rubber isolation mounts between the heater bracket and the mounting surface.
- Fuel tap: T into the van's diesel return line (preferred) or use a dedicated pickup in the fuel tank sender. Do not run a separate fuel tank inside the living space.
- Fuel pump: Mount on the chassis rail with the supplied rubber bracket. Angle the pump outlet slightly upward (10–15°) to prevent air locks.
- Exhaust: Route through a 20mm hole in the floor. Use a 360° exhaust tip that directs gas away from the underbody. Heat shield between exhaust pipe and floor pan.
- Combustion intake: Short silicone hose routed to the underside. Fit a mesh cover to prevent debris ingestion.
- Wiring: 4mm² from battery to heater (fused at 15A). Connect the controller. Wire the fuel pump separately.
- Ducting: 60mm or 80mm flexible duct to the living area. Keep runs under 2m. Insulate the duct in the floor cavity to prevent heat loss.
- Test: Run for 30 minutes at full output. Check for exhaust leaks (smell), fuel leaks (wet spots), and abnormal noise.
FAQ
Q: Is it safe to run a diesel heater while sleeping? A: Yes, if installed correctly with the exhaust outside the van. Fit a CO alarm within 1m of the sleeping area (£15–30). Replace every 5 years.
Q: How much battery does a diesel heater use overnight? A: Startup cycle (glow plug): 8–12A for 60–90 seconds. Running (fan only): 0.5–2A depending on output level. Over an 8-hour winter night at 50% duty cycle, expect 12–20Ah total draw.
Q: Can I run a diesel heater on red diesel / kerosene? A: Red diesel (for off-road use) works but produces slightly more soot. Kerosene is not recommended — it has lower lubricity and can damage the fuel pump.
Q: What about carbon monoxide from diesel heaters? A: Properly installed units produce negligible CO (the combustion exhaust is outside). The CO risk comes from leaks in the exhaust or combusting within the living space. This is why a CO alarm is mandatory.
Q: Does a diesel heater work at high altitude (Scottish Highlands)? A: Standard Chinese heaters lose efficiency above 1,500m. Some controllers have an altitude compensation setting. Autoterm and Planar units handle altitude better than generic Vevor/Afterburner.
Q: Can I use a diesel heater for hot water too? A: Some units (Webasto Thermo Top, Eberspacher Hydronic) circulate hot coolant for both cabin heat and hot water. These are expensive (£1,200–2,000) and complex to install. Most UK van builds use a separate diesel heater for air and a kettle/immersion heater for water.
