The original Eberspächer Airtronic diesel heater, the D2, was on the market for over 20 years. It became the model that many Chinese manufacturers copied to produce the widely available low-cost eBay-style heaters. The D2 is known for its reliability and long service life, featuring a brushed fan motor and what we consider the original burner design. While the D2 performs well, it can eventually suffer from soot buildup and is easily affected by dust —particularly when run frequently on low power or in dusty environments.
Many D2 units are still in use today, and it’s not uncommon for them to last 15 years or more with a bit of regular maintenance.
In 2018, Eberspächer introduced the D2L AS2, which was essentially an upgrade to the original D2. It included the EasyStart Pro controller, a new ECU, and digital CAN communication between the heater and controller. While these were incremental improvements, the core combustion system remained unchanged from the original D2.
Then in 2021, Eberspächer launched the D2L AS3, identifiable by the chevrons on the top of the case. This version brought a completely new internal design, including a brushless fan motor, an updated ECU, and—most importantly—an entirely new burner system. According to Eberspächer’s documentation, the AS3 burner offers a 3,000-hour service life.
Now in 2025, real-world experience supports that claim. The AS3 burner has proven to be clean-starting, long-lasting, and much less affected by dust, making it a significant improvement over both the original D2 and the D2L AS2.
The Eberspacher Airtronic D2L AS3 heater remain the leading brand with the most advanced burner currently available. It is the newest technology and and has proven to be highly reliable and long lasting in tough conditions.
