Congratulations on owning your first RV! There are probably a lot of features that you need to add to the RV to make it more comfortable and homier. One of the most important things to add is a water heater, especially if you plan on staying in colder climates where your RV will get cold during the night or when it rains. Well, RV water heaters are a big investment. For this reason, it is important to understand what they are all about and how they work. As a result, you will be able to choose the right one. That said, let us now get into details about the RV water heaters.
What is an RV water heater?
An RV water heater is a tank that provides heat to the cold water in your camper’s tap or shower. Well, we can all agree to the fact that most people do not really enjoy cold showers, and you might just be one of them. An RV water heater comes in handy when you are staying in places where the temperature is low or simply when you just want to enjoy showering with hot water.
Types of RV water heaters
There are different types of RV hot water heaters, and it is important to know the difference between them, as each serves its purpose. The three most common types are gas water heaters, electric heaters, and propane heaters.
- Gas RV water heater
A gas-powered tank provides the best hot water flow for your shower or kitchen faucet. They can take any form you want: compact or regular size, round or square shape, etc. Also, they come in several sizes, which means that you can always find one according to your needs. There is definitely no compromise when it comes to performance either since they put out enough power to provide even an entire RV with unlimited hot water whenever needed.
- Electric RV Water Heater
The other common type of RV hot water heater is an electric one. This electric heater uses electricity to heat up the water. They are very easy to use and provide endless hot water right on your RV’s kitchen faucet or showerhead. However, they are limited in power by what type of electrical hook-ups you have available at each campsite. Some models can’t even support a hairdryer, let alone an automatic dishwasher.
- Propane RV water heater
The third type of RV water heater is a propane one. This uses propane gas to heat the water, just like your traditional home stovetop would use for cooking. They are easy to install and provide hot unlimited running water right on your kitchen faucet or showerhead whenever needed.
Now that you know what an RV water heater is and the different types, the big question is, how do you choose the best one for your first RV? Read on to find out.
What to consider when choosing an RV water heater
As aforementioned, there are three types of RV water heater, and each one has its own pros and cons. The factors you should consider when choosing an RV water heater include:
- Understand your needs
The first thing you need to do is understand your needs. Do you plan to camp in the winter? Are you planning to do long trips or stay at one place for a few days? In the winter, you should consider an electric RV hot water heater as a typical propane or gas one will not be able to provide enough heat for your needs. You could go with a larger capacity model so it can meet all of your hot water requirements during cold weather.
On the other hand, if you just need warm-ish showers and don’t plan to leave your campsite anytime soon or be there for just a few days, then maybe going with a small portable unit would suit your needs better. In such cases, we’d recommend the RV water heater from Furrion.
- Know what type of fuel your particular model uses
Once you know which kind of water heating system works best for your situation and requirements, check out all models available on the market. Remember, not every product with “gas” under its name will work perfectly well if used in RVs with propane tanks as they are designed with different features. For example, some products use high-pressure jets while others require low-pressure ones because their fittings are made exclusively for specific systems. The type of fuel you choose should also be economical and eco-friendly.
- Price
There is a plethora of RV water heaters available in the market today. However, you should always purchase a product that fits your budget and needs. Price will vary depending on the RV water heater’s type, size and brand. You may also need to consider installation costs and ongoing expenses such as energy bills that depend on usage.
- Features
RV hot water heaters have features designed for convenience, so be sure to choose one with those options. Some products come with sensors or automatic shutoffs, while others have displays showing tank temperature or time remaining before reaching the desired level of heating. The number of outputs is another consideration since it can affect flow rate in tanks containing multiple appliances like toilets, sinks and showers. If there is more than one appliance using hot water, an additional storage tank might be necessary to avoid quick depletion.
The takeaway
Are you now confident in your ability to choose an RV water heater? We hope that by going through this read, you can now make the decision that is best for your lifestyle. Remember, the main point of installing a water heater in your RV is to make sure you can enjoy a hot shower and dishwashing at the end of your day. Therefore, choose one that matches your specific needs and your budget too. Additionally, choose a reputable brand such as Furrion to ensure that you are getting a long-lasting heater. Happy camping!
