Hot shower RV

One of the huge advantages of RV life is the ability to take the modern comforts of home onto the road with you. One of those modern comforts is hot water– after all, what is more relaxing than a nice warm shower? Your RV’s water heater is key to providing this modern amenity, and it’s useful to have some understanding of how yours works before heading out.

Heat Sources

RV water heaters use three main sources for heat. Some are propane-based. For those water heaters, the more propane used, the hotter the water. The propane for these water heaters can become expensive, however, if you have heavy hot water needs.

Other RV water heaters are electric. Simply turn the hot water heater on, wait for it to heat your tank up, and then enjoy hot water. The downside to these types of heaters is the time you need to wait for the water to warm up.

The third type of RV water heater uses heat from your engine to warm the tank. This is an incredibly efficient source of energy if you’re going to be using your engine a lot. Otherwise, your water will only stay warm for so long.

Types Of Water Heaters

The traditional RV water heater is a six to ten gallon tank. The tank sits either in the sidewall of your RV or near the engine compartment if it’s heated by the engine. These types of water heaters tend to be fairly economical. The biggest drawback is their size– these water heaters are quite small, so there is a limited supply of hot water available. This can make showers a challenge unless you’ve mastered the art of the quick rinse.
Another type of RV water heater is a tankless, on-demand system. These are also located in the RV sidewall and are usually powered by electricity.

Tankless water heaters are a great option if you have heavy hot water needs because you will never run out. The tank simply keeps generating as much hot water as you use. The only disadvantage of using a tankless heater is its price– these tend to be much more expensive than their traditional counterparts. >>Check out water heaters here. >>For water heater parts, click here.

Purchasing Tips

If you are debating on purchasing a new water heater for your RV, there are a few things you should consider. First, what are your hot water needs? Do you find yourself running out of hot water frequently with your current set up? If so, you may want to think about going tankless. If not, simply upgrading to a more efficient traditional model may be your best bet.

Maintenance Tips

Your RV’s water heater needs regular maintenance, just like your water heater at home. Your water heater should be cleaned at a minimum once a year — follow the schedule suggested by the manufacturer for best results. Have a professional examine your water heater at least once a year, as well.

Storage Tips

Drain your RV’s hot water tank prior to storing it for the winter. If your tank comes with a bypass valve, this should be used during winter storage. Keeping water in the tank could lead to extra corrosion and rust. Prior to heading out for the season, be sure to fill the water tank and turn off the bypass valve.

Odds are, you enjoy having hot water when on an RV trip. Keeping your RV’s water heater in good working condition will help make your next adventure full of modern comforts.

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