Q: What’s the most sustainable way to heat a van in winter?

A: It’s all about balance—between comfort, safety, and carbon.

You’ve got options: Diesel heaters: Widely used, efficient, and toasty—but they run on fossil fuels. If used, combine with low-emission travel choices elsewhere.
No-heat systems: Passive insulation, warm bedding, thermals. Great for shoulder seasons but limiting in deep winter.
Electric setups: Ideal if you’re on-grid or have a robust solar-battery setup—but heavy draw makes off-grid heating a challenge.

Low-impact heating isn’t always about using less—it’s about wasting less. Patch up drafts. Use layered curtains. Sleep with hot water bottles. And whenever possible, follow the sun south.

Get insulation tips, heater comparisons, and cold-climate hacks at The Sustainable Stop.

Water-Saving Tools—Worth the Effort?

Q: Is it really worth carrying extra kit just to use less water?

A: Yes—especially when it changes how you think about water.

Foot-pump sinks or spray taps: Help regulate water use by forcing you to engage physically with every drop.
Water-saving shower heads: Reduce flow without sacrificing feel. Combine with navy showers (off while lathering) for big savings.
Greywater recycling setups: Great for using sink runoff for toilet flushing or certain cleaning tasks—just be aware of contamination.

And don’t overlook the smallest upgrades:

• Quick-dry microfibre cloths
• Minimal-soap dish methods
• Collapsible buckets for reuse

Water is heavy, precious, and finite on the road. Tech helps—but your habits matter more.

See our Water Wisdom for Vans guide at The Sustainable Stop for smarter setups and mindset shifts.

Solar vs. Shore Power—What’s Greener?

Q: Should I plug in or power up via the sun?

A: Depends on where you’re parked—and what the grid’s made of.

Solar Power: Off-grid, free after setup, and silent. But performance varies with weather, angle, and season.
Shore Power: Dependable. But unless your hookup source is renewable (like in many UK and EU eco-sites), you’re likely using mixed or fossil-based electricity.

The greenest choice is often diversified power:
Charge your devices via solar, cook with gas (or efficient induction when on-grid), and use 12V DC where possible to minimise conversions.

And always reduce consumption before boosting supply. Less draw = less impact.

Explore our Powering the Vanlife series at The Sustainable Stop to map the system that fits your ethics and energy needs.

Hand Links:

Sustainable Van Heating

• Simple Vans: Heating Your Campervan – A Simple Guide – A friendly, well-rounded overview of heating options, from diesel to passive insulation.
• Parked in Paradise: How to Heat Your Van in Winter – A comprehensive breakdown of heating types, pros and cons, and safety tips.
• CocoVanLife: 11 Van Life Heating Lessons – Practical, experience-based advice on staying warm and energy-efficient.

Water-Saving Tools

• ShowerMiser RV Water Saving System – A clever system that redirects unused cold water back into your fresh tank.
• Lowenergie ECO Shower Head (UK) – A compact, efficient shower head designed for campervans and small spaces.
• Grasshopper Leisure: Campervan Taps & Mixers – A wide range of low-flow taps and mixers for van conversions.

Solar vs. Shore Power

• Limitless Van: Powering Your Off-Grid Van Conversion – A clear, honest look at solar, shore, and alternator charging systems.
• Renogy: RV Shore Power Explained – A helpful primer on how shore power works and how to use it wisely.
• RV Forum: Solar and Shore Power at the Same Time – A community discussion on blending power sources for flexibility and resilience.

If something here landed gently, I’d love to hear what stayed with you.