This tool is designed to settle the “Propane vs. Diesel” debate for tiny house dwellers. It visualizes the massive amount of moisture unvented propane heaters dump into your home versus the “Dry Heat” of a diesel parking heater.
It also includes a “The Chinese Heater Gamble” section, comparing the $150 generic units (CDH) against the $1,500 Webasto/Eberspacher units, visualizing the trade-off between “Upfront Cost” and “Maintenance Headaches” (Error codes, altitude issues).
Diesel Heater Analyzer
Dry Heat vs. Propane Moisture & The “Chinese Heater” Gamble.
1. Heating Habits
2. Hardware Choice (If Diesel)
The “Chinese” (CDH) vs. Webasto Debate
Generic CDH
$120 – $180- DIY Heavy: Expect to replace fuel lines and clamps immediately.
- Altitude: Manual tuning required above 5,000ft (soot risk).
- Reliability: Carry a spare parts kit (glow plug, pump).
Webasto / Espar
$1,200+- Plug & Play: High quality components out of the box.
- Auto-Altitude: Sensors adjust fuel mix automatically up to 10,000ft.
- Support: Actual warranty and customer service.
The Science of “Dry Heat”
Burning propane produces two things: Heat and Water Vapor ($C_3H_8 + 5O_2 \rightarrow 3CO_2 + 4H_2O$). For every 1 lb of propane you burn in an unvented heater, you dump 1.6 lbs of water into your tiny house. This creates “Rainforest Syndrome” and mold.
Diesel heaters are “externally vented.” The combustion chamber is sealed from the room. It sucks air from outside, burns it, and pushes the exhaust (and moisture) out a pipe under the floor. The heat exchanger warms your indoor air, lowering Relative Humidity and drying out damp towels.