Can You Enjoy Vanlife In -30°C Weather?
Believe me, you don't want to be stranded without heat in those fridgid temps.
Let me tell you about my experience in -30 °C vanlife (buslife in my case). It all started with a simple question... is it possible? I'm from Saskatchewan, Canada. We enjoy (put up with) lows of -30°C on a regular basis. If the wind is blowing at all during these cold fronts (which is everyday on the prairies) you can get ready for the classic "feels like -45" treatment.
My bus is a full size Bluebird body featuring a bedroom, bunks, kitchen, bathroom, and double couches. That is roughly 225 sqft. to heat and then trap that heat.
First, let's get to the answer... YES, IT'S POSSIBLE. I've successfully endured -35°C weather for consecutive throughout a Saskatchewan winter.
How did I do it? (AND how can you do it?)
1. Insulation (Walls, Roof, and Floor)
2. Insulated skirting to enclose bus undercarriage
3. Heat Source
Let's go through each category:
Insulation
Walls, Floors, & Roof: Proper insulation is going to be your saving grace. You can use a spray insulation for optimal, air tight seal, or you can use standard fiberglass insulation with similar results. You will want to use an isulation with the highest R-Value possible. You will want to use an R - Value of 20+ .... don't cheap out here! Under the subfloor you can use rigid foam insulation. Having the floor insulated is a must!
Windows: Sometimes the windows are forgotten. In school buses, they usually have dinky single pane glass that results in a lot of heat loss! Here you have a few options.
Method One - The least effective method is going to help seal your dinky windows and make them air tight. This is done with the clear, saran wrap type material. You can check it out HERE.
Method Two - The second option is to hang insulated curtains, or another option, hang the reflectix insulation wrap. These curtain work great, but you obviously can't see through them.
Method Three - Not the most appealing, but definitely the best option to keep heat in, is to cut and insert rigid insulation into each window. If you're worried about being cold, this is your best safety net.
Insulated Under Skirting
A lot of your heat loss can occur through your floor. With the under carriage exposed, wind will whip underneath your van/bus and strip you of your heat. The biggest problem... This is normally where your grey or black tank will hang. You DO NOT want your tanks freezing up!
Enclose your bus undercarriage with rigid insulation. You will have to cut to size and this will take some time, so don't wait until the first snowfall! Join each piece with vapour tape and ensure to use stakes to secure the bottom (wind can get quite strong). Create a little trap door to access underneath. Now, you can place an electric heater under your bus to keep the bay warm and avoid frozen tanks! (Make sure to use a safe heater with over heating and tip over protections.
Heat Source
Here are the three most popular options:
1. Electric
2. Propane
3. Fire Stove
Now, you have to keep in mind the cost of each heat source. Propane heat is incredible and will heat your bus in minutes! It is relatively affordable and is regulated by a thermostat. Electric is reliable and doesn't require a fuel source to be refilled. But remember, most heaters that are effective will be 1500 watt heaters and that can pull a good amount of electricity. Fire is your cheapest and most reliable source, but requires the most work. Every few hours wood has to be piled on in order to maintain hot coals and heat.
In -30 weather, you are going to want to have a back up! This is the most important point to note.
I personally run electric heat whihc cuts in and out on a thermostat, then turn on my propane heat on those really cold nights. If I'm leaving my bus overnight I will set my thermostat so that propane kicks on incase a power outage happens. If you lose heat, YOUR WATER FREEZES!
Please seek the advice of professionals before making your final decision! If you have any questions, ask away below and I will get to them as soon as possible.
PS. I forgot to mention the beautiful insulator that snow is! Make sure if you have lots of snow, build an igloo around your insulated skirt and it will completely trap that heat!
