General Information

How do I know if Heatso.com is a reliable source?

Heatso has established itself as a trusted platform for RV and van life appliances over the past 11 years, serving 100,000+ satisfied customers. Our platform offers products from vetted, top-tier brands, all backed by transparent return and warranty policies. Beyond the products, our commitment to reliability is evident in our secure shopping environment, expert customer service, and our active engagement with the broader RV and van life community. Authentic customer reviews available on our website further testify to our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. As we continue to serve the community, Heatso remains steadfast in upholding the trust our customers place in us. 

How can I get in-store credit?

To redeem store credit of $50 or $100 the customer must place an order over $900 or $1450 respectively, be subscribed to the Heatso Newsletter, and and not be a wholesale account holder. If you believe that you are eligible for store credit and haven't received your credit yet, please contact us at support@heatso.com. This offer is available until December 2nd, 2022. 

Which heater should I choose for my van?

You can narrow down your options by considering the following questions.  

12 or 24 volts? 

The choice should be made according to the voltage of your vehicle.

Diesel or gasoline?

The same as with voltage - refer to the fuel type used by your vehicle. 

2kW / 6,824 BTU, 4kW / 13,649 BTU, or 5kW / 17,000 BTU? 

Several factors come into play here, such as your van’s capacity, insulation, and the number of outlets.

Here are some rough guidelines you can refer to:

• 2kW - all wheelbase Sprinters (140” , 144” , 170”)

• 4kW - all wheelbase Sprinters (140” , 144” , 170”)

• 5kW or more - marine installations, trains, cargo areas, large conversions such as buses and school buses

Webasto or Espar / Eberspächer?

Both companies produce quality heaters, so you would not go wrong by choosing either of them. That said, Espar / Eberspächer offers a few notable advantages: their heaters are generally more reliable, easier to install, and can be operated at higher altitudes. We do not recommend using a Webasto heater over ~ 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) without professional modifications. 

Newer or older generation of Espar / Eberspächer?

The choice will mostly depend on your budget. The newly released D2L and D4L heaters have been improved in many areas: they are quieter, more reliable, start at lower temperatures, have an integrated high altitude kit, and so on. We wrote a blog article exploring the changes in more detail. The only area where the old heaters are superior is operation at very high altitudes. 

Which heater should I choose for my boat?

Please use the Espar / Eberspächer heater selection guide below. It should help you choose the required heater:

What is the difference between a sprinter kit and a regular kit?

Sprinter kits are specially designed to work with Sprinters. They have a different fuel line system and accessories, most notably a standpipe. You will probably need a sprinter kit if you have a Sprinter van manufactured before 2009 without an auxiliary fuel tap.

If your Sprinter van was manufactured during or after 2009, or if it has an auxiliary fuel tap, you can buy a regular kit. 

What does the name of the Espar / Eberspächer heater model mean? 

The first letter indicates the type of fuel: "D" for diesel, "B" for petrol.

The number generally represents the heat output, meaning the higher the number - the higher the heat output. For example: D4L Is Diesel heater unit capable in producing 4kW or 13648.56 BTU/hr heat.

The second letter indicates the type of the heater: "L" stands for “longlife” and "W" for water heaters. New Espar / Eberspächer Airtronic models have the letter "L". 

The latest Airtronic models are:

• Espar / Eberspacher Airtronic D2L
• Espar / Eberspacher Airtronic D4L
• Espar / Eberspacher Airtronic D4R
• Espar / Eberspacher Airtronic B4L
• Espar / Eberspacher Airtronic D5
• Espar / Eberspacher Airtronic B5

The D4R model is special because it has a different fan design. Its blower fan is designed to push air in longer ducting systems. For example, where D4L can operate within 8 meters, the maximum length for D4R is around 14 meters.

Do I need a high altitude kit?

We recommend installing the high altitude kit if you are planning to use the heater in locations high above the sea level. For instance, the Airtronic D2 12V heater runs up to 7,500 feet without the kit and up to around 13,000 feet with one.

The newer Airtronic heater models, D2L and D4L, D4R and B4L, already have a high altitude kit integrated inside them. You should be able to safely use them up to 9,800 feet (3000 meters) without further modifications. 

We do not advise using Webasto heaters for high altitudes - their safe operating range without professional modifications is up to around 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). 

Do I need a mounting bracket?

Mounting brackets are used to make heater installation easier. All mounting brackets are optional but recommended. We currently offer four mounting bracket options:

• Floor mounting plate - the default option due to its affordable price and ease of customization. It provides a flat surface, additional surface protection, and a template for drilling holes. The flat plate is also used because it can support the heater in case it is hanging on the edge of the flat section (ribbed floor), and it is customizable to fit. You can easily cut the stainless steel plate to fit any shape.

 

• Floor mounting bracket - like the mounting plate, the floor mounting bracket provides a level surface and pre-drilled holes for mounting the heater. However, unlike the plate, it requires a large diameter circle to be cut in the floor. Due to this fact, the bracket is often used in professional installations where the necessary tools are available or. Then it is the faster and more convenient option. Note that you might need additional heat insulation if you will be using this bracket on a wooden floor. 

 

• L shape mounting bracket - used almost exclusively for marine installations, where drilling holes in the floor is not possible. It allows mounting the heater on the wall or hanging it in another desirable place above the ground. It is also suitable for automotive applications; that said, unless you have special requirements, you would probably be better off with one of the other options. 

 

• External mounting box - the go-to choice for external installations, offering full enclosure of the heater. It can be also used to install the heater in a compartment. Mounting boxes are frequently found in horse boxes, food vans, and similar applications. 

 

Which controller should I choose?

Each controller comes with different features, so you should select one based on your needs. 

With the older Espar / Eberspächer Airtronic D2 and D4 heaters, you can choose among the following controllers:

• Select -  the basic option with a screen. Features: Simple on / off, fault code reading, current and set temperature monitoring.

 

 

• Timer - the more advanced option with a programmable timer. Features: 7-day preset (set times for the heater to operate) on / off, fault code reading, current and set temperature monitoring.

 

 

• Remote+ - the portable option for heating over distance. Features: 7-day preset (set times for the heater to operate) on / off, fault code reading, current and set temperature monitoring, operating range up to 1 mile.

 

The newer Espar / Eberspächer Airtronic D2L and D4L come with these options:

• EasyStart Pro - the default option with a screen and advanced functionality. Features: digital controller, 7-day preset for heater operation, integrated temperature sensor, fault reading, performance and temperature measurements, altitude mode, maintenance indicator. 

 

 

• Mini controller - the most basic option, often used in commercial vehicles. Features: simple on / off, temperature control with potentiometer.