Are they worth the extra money? Anybody using them. Positive and negative experiences.
I know what is described on web site, just looking for real world opinion. I need to replace my front one.
We installed an Atwood Air Command 15K BTU with heat pump on our 4106. The heating feature was actually quite handy on cool mornings. Cool enough to need something to take the chill off, but not so much that it was necessary to fire up the Webasto and wait for that system to kick in. The heat pump was able to take the chill out of the air in the 15 minutes it took running the generator to heat the water in the water heater and to make a pot of coffee. Got us all set for comfortable morning shower. Not sure how it compares to the Coleman, but I'd assume they are close.
The initial reason I went for the extra expense was in case the Webasto crapped out while we were on the road. I wanted to have a backup heating source. That was never an issue, but I ended up using the heat pump more than the Webasto in the time we had the bus.
I have 2 Coleman 15k with heat pumps, and they have never worked well as heat pumps. It is in the design of the reverse flow tubing. I should hope the newer Colemans are better designed, mine are fifteen years old but problem started on day one. Plus they don't put out as much cold air as the same unit without the heat pump. I know because I have both.
Geoff
I had a 15k unit with a heat pump for four years and used it extensively. I have had four 13.5K units with heat strips instead of the heat pump and have used them nine years. I prefer the heat strips over the heat pump. They operate at much lower ambient temps and make the bus cozy.
I would probably never purchase a roof air without some form of heat. I like options. But given the choice, I would purchase heat strips rather than a heat pump.
Davy