The Sunster HTB1 diesel heater is an 8kW forced air heater in a toolbox-style case with a built-in handle. It has a 6 litre fuel tank inside and a metal buckle on the sealed upper cover.
It runs on 12V DC from a vehicle or 110-240V AC through the supplied transformer. You can control it with the Sunster Neo app, the remote switch or the LCD panel. The panel connects to a 3m extension cable so you can mount it indoors.
Heat is felt within 3-5 minutes. Fuel use is 0.16-0.45 litres per hour, so 6 litres lasts up to 20 hours. It covers 20-25 square metres and draws just 40W. It is certified to CE, WEE, FCC, EAC and UKCA standards and comes with a 1 year warranty.
The Sunster HTB1 diesel heater has an 8kW output and you should feel warm air within 3-5 minutes. Sunster rates it for a room of 20-25 square metres.
Is that realistic? Reviews give a mixed picture. One buyer heats a garage of about 7.6 m by 9.1 m without trouble. Another has an uninsulated single garage. It reached 17°C inside in 3 hours with 4°C outside. A third buyer only managed a 4°C rise in four hours in a cold garage and said it fell short of the 8kW claim.
Insulation, draughts and the starting temperature make a big difference. A smaller or better sealed space will warm much faster. A 3.5 m by 4.8 m shed and a conservatory both got good results from other buyers.
The built-in tank holds 6 litres of diesel. The listing gives fuel use as 0.16-0.45 litres per hour. On that basis one full tank runs for up to 20 hours of heating.
Why does the figure vary? The heater burns more fuel on its highest setting and less on its lowest. The product description gives a slightly different range of 0.11-0.48 litres per hour. Treat these as a guide. Your own use will depend on the heat level you pick and the temperature of the space.
Sunster says the reinforced aluminium heat exchanger raises combustion efficiency by 38%. Electrical draw is low at 40W. One buyer described it as not bad on fuel.
Yes. It has two wiring methods. You can use 12V DC from a vehicle or leisure battery. You can also use 110-240V AC through the included transformer. This lets you plug it into a standard 230V socket at home.
The heater switches automatically between vehicle and household power. That suits people who use one heater in a garage during the week and a van or motorhome at weekends. The box also includes installation accessories and a user manual.
The main noise comes from the air duct outlet at 35 dB. That is about the level of normal conversation. The upgraded silent fuel pump is designed to remove the ticking that older diesel heaters make.
Reviews mostly agree. One buyer found it quieter than expected. Another noticed no ticking at all. A third heard some ticking for a couple of seconds at the first start while the fuel line filled. One person found it a bit noisy at full power.
It should suit a van or cabin at night but you may still hear it on the highest setting.
There are three ways to control it. You can use the Bluetooth app on iOS or Android or the remote switch. You can also use the LCD switch panel on the unit. To get the app, scan the QR code in the user manual or search for Sunster Neo in the App Store.
A 3 metre extension cable lets you mount the LCD panel indoors. This helps if the heater sits in a shed or outside a room. The remote works up to 30 metres away. You can set the temperature between 8°C and 35°C. The heater senses the room temperature and cycles on and off to hold it.
One buyer pointed out that the panel sits under the heating duct. That is awkward when the heater is on the floor. The extension cable lets you move it to the top or anywhere else.
Thin air at height can upset diesel combustion. This heater adjusts its combustion automatically up to 5500 metres so heat output and fuel use stay steady. Sunster states a working temperature range of -40°C to +80°C.
The listing also highlights reliable start-up in cold weather. Real-world results still depend on the space you heat. A garage at 4°C outdoors may take hours to warm properly.
You get the diesel heater with its LCD panel and the AC power supply. The box also holds a remote switch and installation accessories plus a user manual. The case is a toolbox style with a metal buckle sealed cover and a built-in handle. One reviewer said it is lighter than older steel-cased 8kW heaters and that the side panel unlatches for access. Older models needed around 12 screws removed.
You will still need to cut a hole for the exhaust. One buyer drilled one before fitting. Another found the supplied exhaust very short. A separate exhaust pipe is a common extra purchase. One reviewer received no printed instructions and used online videos to help.
Check every pipe and fuel connection before first use. One buyer found a small leak at the tank fuel line and fixed it by tightening the nut. Let the heater finish its shutdown cycle before cutting the power. The app shows when it is shutting down.
Most reviewers are happy. 85% of the 39 ratings are 4 or 5 stars and the average is 4.2 out of 5. Some problems have been reported though. One buyer saw an E05 overheating error after 60 minutes and later E08 and E10 faults. Customer service sent a replacement unit.
That buyer also suggested not using the two long inlet and outlet hoses. They felt the fan could not push enough air through and the unit ran hot. A shorter outlet hose of about 76 cm worked better for them. Another reviewer reported only 80-90°C output after changing the heat chamber and pump.
The Sunster HTB1 diesel heater comes with a 1 year warranty. Sunster is a factory's own brand with its own technical team. Its products are certified by CE, WEE, FCC, EAC and UKCA among others.
| Brand | Sunster |
| Manufacturer | Sunster |
| Part number | UK-HTB1 |
| Country of origin | China |
| Heater power | 8KW |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Heating method | Forced air |
| Form factor | Cabinet (toolbox design) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 6 litres |
| Fuel consumption | 0.16 to 0.45 litres per hour |
| Runtime on a full tank | Up to 20 hours |
| Heating coverage | 20 to 25 square metres |
| Time to feel heat | 3 to 5 minutes |
| Heat exchanger | Reinforced aluminium |
| Combustion efficiency increase | 38% |
| Complete combustion rate | 100% |
| Working voltage | DC12V |
| Adapter input | AC110-240V 50-60Hz |
| Power consumption | 40W |
| Noise level | 35 dB at the air duct outlet |
| Maximum altitude | 5500 metres (automatic adjustment) |
| Adjustable temperature range | 8°C to 35°C |
| Operating temperature | -40°C to +80°C |
| Control methods | Bluetooth app, remote switch, LCD switch panel |
| Remote control distance | 30 metres |
| LCD switch extension cable | 300 cm |
| App | Sunster Neo (iOS and Android) |
| Special features | Internal circulation system, plateau model, quiet operation, ventilation mode |
| Indoor or outdoor use | Indoor and outdoor |
| Certifications | CE, WEE, FCC, EAC, UKCA and others |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Included components | AC power supply, diesel heater with LCD, installation accessories, remote switch, user manual |
