Hello all! I am trying to decide how to keep my cats safe while living in a van.
I would only be traveling during the summer months; the rest of the year I would be teaching and therefore stationary. This would also mean that I would be leaving my cats at home while I go to work.
I live in an area where temperatures can be near 105 in the middle of the day at the start of the school year, so I want my cats to be safe in the van. I have lost too many cats to outside accidents, so it is really important that I contain them while I am gone.
There are three options that I would like some input/more information on please!
1. Install an AC unit in the van, and run it while I am work. I have no idea how much power that would drain and if it would even be possible without a MASSIVE solar system. I am still learning! I know I will need heating due to where I live, but I believe I can get that separate from AC. If you think this is an option, can you recommend an energy efficient heating/cooling system?
2. Use the Fantastic Fan with the windows cracked so I can get a nice air flow. I will be insulating with polyisocyanurate foam boards in the walls and ceiling, as well as the extruded polystyrene foam boards in the floor. Will that be enough with the breeze to make sure they are safe and comfortable while I am away?
3. Create a "catio" that has window access for the cats to "leave" the van and walk around outside. I would also install some sort of a tarp for shade over the catio. Think a chicken coop with a shaded covering. That way they stay safe, but they aren't stuck in the hot van.
I really want to be off grid so I am not stuck parking at places when I need to borrow power, however I recognize I may have to do that in order to make sure my cats are safe. Thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you soon.
I would only be traveling during the summer months; the rest of the year I would be teaching and therefore stationary. This would also mean that I would be leaving my cats at home while I go to work.
I live in an area where temperatures can be near 105 in the middle of the day at the start of the school year, so I want my cats to be safe in the van. I have lost too many cats to outside accidents, so it is really important that I contain them while I am gone.
There are three options that I would like some input/more information on please!
1. Install an AC unit in the van, and run it while I am work. I have no idea how much power that would drain and if it would even be possible without a MASSIVE solar system. I am still learning! I know I will need heating due to where I live, but I believe I can get that separate from AC. If you think this is an option, can you recommend an energy efficient heating/cooling system?
2. Use the Fantastic Fan with the windows cracked so I can get a nice air flow. I will be insulating with polyisocyanurate foam boards in the walls and ceiling, as well as the extruded polystyrene foam boards in the floor. Will that be enough with the breeze to make sure they are safe and comfortable while I am away?
3. Create a "catio" that has window access for the cats to "leave" the van and walk around outside. I would also install some sort of a tarp for shade over the catio. Think a chicken coop with a shaded covering. That way they stay safe, but they aren't stuck in the hot van.
I really want to be off grid so I am not stuck parking at places when I need to borrow power, however I recognize I may have to do that in order to make sure my cats are safe. Thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you soon.