5 Touring Caravan Energy Saving Tips

Touring caravans are extremely popular amongst individuals and families that want a little mobile home on wheels. With one of these caravans, you can attach it to the back of your car and drive it wherever you want. As such, you can set up camp basically anywhere, bringing home comforts with you. 

Understandably, there are plenty of questions and concerns people have about touring caravans. One of the most frequently asked questions relates to caravan energy-saving tips. How can you save energy when using a touring caravan? Here are some excellent tips that will make your mobile home more affordable to run:

#1 – Install solar panels

Most people associate solar panels with houses, but you can get some for touring caravans as well. There are plenty of solar panel kits that attach to the roof of your caravan or act as freestanding options to generate clean electricity. This way, you cut down on energy usage in your caravan as solar energy can power most of the appliances inside.

#2 – Use LED lights inside

Moreover, you can save energy by using really neat LED lights inside the caravan. You can find ones that stick to surfaces and run on battery packs. They give you a nice source of light when it’s dark, without needing to use the main source of electricity in your caravan.

You will save an extraordinary amount of energy by using these lights instead of the ones that connect to the electrical mains. 

#3 – Install a portable wind turbine

Yes, you read that right! This is one of the most revolutionary ways to save energy when driving and staying in a touring caravan. Most of you are aware of how wind turbines work – you see them in fields turning slowly in the wind. The turbines then power a generator that creates electricity; simple. 

Now, the same concept can be applied to your caravan thanks to portable wind turbines. All you have to do is install the turbine on the back or roof of the vehicle and connect it to the battery charger in your caravan. Then, whenever you drive around or park your caravan, the wind propels the small turbine and it charges the battery. Thus, you don’t need to connect to the electricity points at campsites, saving a lot of energy. 

#4 – Improve your caravan’s insulation

Next, you should focus on keeping your caravan as warm and cosy as possible. Even during the summer, caravans can get very cold when the sun goes down. As such, you’re inclined to switch on space heaters to keep everyone warm. Needless to say, this consumes a decent amount of energy – and it’s not always necessary. 

Instead, you should improve your caravan’s insulation to save energy. Consider upgrading to double-glazing if your windows are currently single-glazed.

Likewise, invest in some thick curtains to further insulate the windows and prevent draughts. Adding thick carpet to the floor also helps, as does using a cover for your caravan. You will find all sorts of caravan covers online that protect your touring caravan from cold weather, rain, and even extreme heat. 

Related Article: Raindrops To Sunshine: Weatherproofing Your Caravan & Awning For Every Season

#5 – Waste less hot water

Naturally, your caravan will use energy to heat the water supply, meaning you can have hot showers while you’re away from home. Unfortunately, this can use up a lot of energy, particularly if you spend a long time in the shower – or if multiple family members need to shower in a row. Then, you have the washing up to consider, which uses more hot water and energy. 

So, try to use less hot water in a bid to make your touring caravan more energy-efficient. One way to do this is through an eco-friendly showerhead.

Replace your standard showerhead with one that delivers less water, meaning you consume less energy heating it up. Or, think about using the showers at campsites if you’re staying at one. They’re free to use and it means you don’t have to heat up any water every morning. Think about it, a family of four could spend an hour in total showering each morning – that’s a lot of hot water and energy! 

Likewise, consider washing up with cold water. As long as you use plenty of soap and keep the plate soaked for long enough, all the dirt will come off and the germs will be dead. 

In Summary

There you have it; five touring caravan energy-saving tips that anyone can try. If you’re interested in buying a new touring caravan, we offer caravan financing that can help you pay for a wonderful mobile home on wheels. Get in touch with us today to learn more, or use our finance calculator to figure out what you could afford.