The Whale Under Floor Space Heater
 Whale Under Floor Space Heater |
The Whale Under Floor Space Heater is a new and revolutionary space heater for caravans.
So what's different? Well, the first thing you'd notice is that you don't see a heating unit taking up space in the living area of the caravan and that gives caravan designers a chance to re-think the layout of caravans.
Capable of operating from mains electric, butane or propane gas, the heater is located in a galvanised housing under the floor of the caravan between the chassis members, and that gives another advantage, one of quieter operation. Traditional ducting enters and travels round the caravan, with the usual outlets, so you can still toast your toes and warm your slippers.
 Whale heater fitted under chassis |
The heater vents under the floor using a stainless steel exhaust pipe to the caravan's offside and thereby eliminates the need for a traditionally mounted roof vent, thus removes the risk of water ingress from that source.
Extensively tested over several months, the heater has valid accreditation from several third parties. At Millbrook Proving Ground a caravan fitted with the heater and Whale's water heater, AquaSmart pump and taps, tests demonstrated that Whale had designed and engineered an energy and thermally efficient water and heating system capable of meeting Grade III Classification of Thermal Insulation (EN 1645-1). The caravan was put into the climate control chamber and the temperature reduced to minus 15°C over ten hours and held for the test. The heater was used to raise the temperature to 20°C over four hours, and held for one hour. Next, the water system was turned on and flowed freely from the hot and cold taps in the kitchen and the shower room. Finally, the energy needed to maintain 20°C (±2°C) in the caravan was measured and produced a best in class U value of 0.718W/sq.mK; that's a saving of 25% over other models. So, more heat for less energy.
 Space saved in your caravan |
Ongoing tests in the snowy weather recently have endorsed its powerful heat generating properties and the design team at Whale tell me that they do believe that a temperature of 32°C is possible.
The Whale Under Floor Space Heater and the smaller Whale space heater for internal fixing follows the successful launch last year of the Whale water heater.
There has been very little in the way of innovation in heating systems for a caravan for many a year and this one has obvious benefits. It's compact, lightweight, easy to fit during the caravan's construction and is simple to operate with only two rotary control knobs to control the heat and heat source. Another benefit - it's UK made!
 Whale heater control panel |
The first caravan manufacturer to fit the heater is Elddis in the new Xplore 302.
The Whale Under Floor Space Heater will be shown to the public for the first time at the Boat and Caravan Show at NEC this month on the Whale stand, number 5360 in Hall 5.
Fact File
Weight 9.5kgs including the heater, cover box, flues and floor interface plate.
On mains electric:
Three power level settings: 500w/1000w/2000w
Maximum electricity input: (230v) 9amps.
Electricity input (12V): 2.2 amps
On gas:
Gas heat input: 2KW:
Electricity input (12v): 1.6amps (< 20W)
