Heating your Phoenix Dome can be as versatile and as heating a traditional house or cabin. The best heating method will depend on your region, how you plan to use your dome, and whether you choose to upgrade the Panorama window and Insulation. Here are some effective heating options to consider:
Wood Stoves
For personal use, wood stoves are often the most practical choice, and the only truly viable one for off-grid applications. They provide lots of reliable heat without needing electricity, and create a cozy ambiance. However, if you plan to rent your dome commercially, teaching each guest how to operate a wood stove efficiently and safely might be cumbersome. It is difficult to keep a fire going throughout the night, especially in a smaller dome - so guests may wake up cold! In such cases, other heating options might be more suitable.
For installation, purchase our Metal Chimney Flashing.
Propane or Natural Gas Heaters
Vented propane or natural gas heaters are excellent for domes due to their ease of operation. These heaters provide consistent warmth without the need for constant monitoring. Usually they have a viewing window where one can see the flame, thus they provide the cozy ambiance of a real fire. Any propane heater HAS to be vented to the outside - purchase our High Temp Silicone Flashing kit for installation.
Heat Pumps
One of the most energy-efficient options, electric heat pumps, use pressurized fluid to transfer heat from the outdoors into your dome. They are ideal for maintaining a comfortable temperature with minimal maintenance and energy consumption. Heat pumps use Electricity, but the electricity is not directly converted to heat - it is used to run a compressor that takes heat out of the ambient air (even when it is below 0 outside!) and compresses it to make more heat, them pumps it into the space. Thus is it a lot more efficient that any other electric heat source.
Ductless mini splits are easily installed in any dome by a HVAC technician, and also serve as air conditioners in the summer!
Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves are simple and safe to operate, making them a great alternative to wood stoves. They offer the same dry heat and ambiance as a wood fire but with more automation, requiring less manual intervention. Like a wood stove, they also dry out the air. Pellets are usually made from wood waste, so they are a green and carbon neutral fuel, and burn very clean with little smoke.
Thus, pellet vents are smaller than wood stove chimneys and install with one of our High Temp Silicone Flashing kits.
Electric/Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters directly heat people and objects rather than the air, making them highly efficient. The heat from an infrared heater feels like the sun is shining on you.
Check out our line of dark facing, powerful Zero infrared heaters!
Plug-in electric space heaters can also be used to supplement heating in specific areas like bedrooms or bathrooms, however they are likely not sufficient for an entire dome in a cold climate.
Optional: Air Exchangers
For maximum year-round control over temperature, humidity, and air quality, a dedicated air exchanger unit can be an excellent choice. These units ensure a continuous supply of fresh air while minimizing heat loss and preventing condensation. Air exchangers are installed in addition to a heat source, and they warm fresh air before it enters the building, while cooling air that is exhausted, resulting in minimal heat loss.
Sizing Your Heat Source
Given that a glamping dome is still a tent and doesn’t have the same insulation factor as a conventional building (unless additional insulation and glass windows are installed), it's crucial to upsize your heat source. As a rule of thumb, aim for 3-4 times more heating capacity than recommended for your dome’s square footage. For example, if your dome is 400 sq ft, choose a heat source rated for heating 1200-1600 sq ft.
Preventing Condensation
A Dehumidifier, rated for 4-5 times the dome's square footage, is important for preventing condensation in the winter, especially where a bathroom and kitchen exist. Read more about Condensation management here!
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Read more about Condensation.
Installation
We offer both METAL and SILICONE chimney flashing kits, available on our Add-Ons page, to ensure a secure installation of your heating system. These kits can be installed wherever necessary without the need for a predetermined hole.
By selecting the right heating option and ensuring proper installation, you can keep your dome warm and comfortable throughout the year.
