Campervan Heating Explained: Diesel vs Gas and the rise of the gas free campervan!
- Orange Campers Ltd
- Jan 14
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
When choosing a campervan, campervan heating is one of the most important decisions you’ll make — particularly if you’re travelling in the UK in all weathers!
Heating affects not just comfort, but how and when you can use your ’van, how off-grid you can be, and how simple life on the road feels day to day.
One of the biggest questions we’re asked at the workshop is whether diesel or gas is best for campervan heating, and increasingly, whether gas is needed at all.
In this guide, we’ll explain how diesel and gas campervan heating systems compare, what works best for UK touring, and why gas free campervans are becoming such a popular choice.
Why campervan heating matters in the UK
UK campervan travel isn’t just about summer weekends.
Many owners want to:
travel year-round
head out in spring and autumn
stay warm on damp, chilly evenings
feel comfortable without relying on hook-up
That’s why campervan heating in the UK needs to be reliable, efficient and easy to live with — not something you’re constantly managing or worrying about.
Watch as Richard explains campervan heating, cooking and fuel choices in practical, real-world terms in this short video, filmed inside one of our campervans...
Gas campervan heating: the traditional setup
Gas has been used in campervans for decades, and it’s a system many people are familiar with.
In a gas-powered campervan, gas is typically used for:
heating
cooking
sometimes hot water
Gas heating systems work by blowing warm air through the living space, keeping the ’van comfortable even when temperatures drop.
Pros of gas campervan heating
Gas campervan heating is:
effective and well-established
familiar to many owners
capable of heating and cooking from one system
When installed properly, gas systems are safe and efficient, and many people are perfectly happy with them.
Things to consider with gas in the UK
The main challenge with gas in the UK today is availability and planning.
LPG filling stations are less common than they once were, and while gas is still available across the country, it can require a bit more thought when travelling off-grid or long-term.
For some people, that’s no issue. For others, it’s the reason they start looking at alternatives.
Diesel campervan heating: increasingly popular
Diesel campervan heating has grown hugely in popularity over the last few years, particularly for UK touring.
A diesel heater:
runs directly from the vehicle’s fuel tank
provides consistent, controllable heat
works extremely well in colder months
Because diesel is already onboard, it removes the need to manage a separate fuel supply for heating.
Why diesel works so well for campervan heating
Diesel campervan heating is especially suited to UK conditions because:
diesel is available everywhere
heating works reliably in winter
you can tour year-round without worrying about running out
In larger 'vans, diesel systems can also provide hot water as well as heating, creating a single, efficient setup.
Diesel vs gas: campervan heating compared
When comparing diesel vs gas camping, it really comes down to how you travel.
Gas campervan heating may suit you if:
you prefer a traditional setup
you mainly tour in warmer months
you’re comfortable managing LPG
Diesel campervan heating may suit you if:
you travel year-round
you want fewer systems to think about
you value simplicity and reliability
And for many people, that comparison leads to the next question...
Do you actually need gas at all?
No, you don't! A gas free campervan removes gas entirely from the vehicle:
no gas bottles
no LPG filling
no separate fuel systems
Instead:
campervan heating is diesel
cooking is diesel-powered or electric via specialist systems
everything runs from fuel you already carry
For many people looking for an off-grid campervan solution, this approach feels simpler, cleaner and more future-proof.
The gas free Micro Camper: designed for modern campervan heating
Our gas free Micro Camper was developed in response to how people actually want to travel today.
It’s the ideal starter ’van for first-time buyers who want:
dependable campervan heating
easy off-grid capability
no gas to manage
clever, compact design
By removing gas completely, the Micro Camper keeps things simple while still delivering warmth, comfort and usability throughout the year.
If you’d like to explore the full thinking behind this design, we’ve written a dedicated blog explaining how the gas free Micro Camper works and why we chose this setup.
Choosing the right campervan heating for you
There’s no single “best” answer when it comes to campervan heating — only what works best for how you travel.
For many UK owners, diesel or fully gas free setups are becoming the preferred option thanks to their simplicity, reliability and off-grid capability.
The most important thing is seeing these systems properly, asking questions and understanding what will suit you now — and in the years to come.
See campervan heating systems up close
The best way to understand campervan heating is to experience it in person.
Book a Workshop Tour, have a proper look round our campervans, and talk through your options with the team. We’ll show you how diesel, gas and gas free systems work — and help you decide what feels right for your forever ’van.
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