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How to Choose a Tankless RV Water Heater

How to Choose a Tankless RV Water Heater

An RV life isn't complete without hot water showers every day. There are also several other reasons why you need an RV hot water tank. For this reason, your motorhome comes with an RV water heater, which is indeed a blessing for RVers.

The type of water heater you choose will depend on your needs, access to electricity, and the type of camping you prefer. 

Here are some of the most common types of RV Hot water heaters:

  1. The best thing about the propane-only water heater is that you can buy the best propane cylinders online for reasonable prices. 

  2. Electric RV water heater

  3. Gas and electric water heaters

  4. A tankless water heater

  5. RV water heater from Motorrad

We will explore one of the most efficient and modern types of water heater in this article: the tankless water heater. Additionally, we will highlight some of the top brands of RV hot water tanks and how we can find related accessories such as RV hot water tank plugs online. 

How do Tankless Water Heaters work?

There are different-sized tanks that come with RV water heaters. These tanks can hold anywhere from 6 to 10 gallons of water.  Since most home-based water heaters have tanks that can hold up to 40 gallons of water, you may run out of hot water while using an RV water heater with a tank (small). Particularly if you take long hot showers regularly. A tankless water heater can be a blessing at this time by providing an ample supply of hot water. 

As its name suggests, a tankless water heater does not have a tank to store or heat water. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand. As the hot water moves through the pipes, it heats as it moves through the faucet. Basically, you can use all the hot water you want.

What are the pros and cons of tankless water heaters?

If you want hot water at any time, a tankless water heater can't be a bad choice. In just a minute, the best RV tankless water heaters can provide around 2-5 gallons of hot water. Although initially, these units seem pricey, they provide a range of benefits that make them worth the investment. Among the benefits of a tankless camping water heater are the following:

What Are the Benefits of a Tankless RV Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters offer many benefits. Here are a few:

1. Energy-efficient RV tankless water heaters

In comparison with water heaters with tanks, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient. This is because there is less heat lost from the water staying in traditional tanks because only when the water is needed is it heated. If the water is not used, it cools down and requires energy to get hot again. 

2. The efficiency of water distribution

Tankless water heaters are much more effective when it comes to supplying hot water for multiple purposes, such as doing dishes, showering, and doing other tasks at the same time. 

3. The life expectancy

While you have to spend more initially for a tankless water heater, these units have a much longer lifespan compared to tankless models. They usually come with a 20-year warranty, as opposed to a water heater with tanks, which usually lasts 6-10 years. It is also determined by the way you maintain and care for your unit.  Unfortunately, you can order accessories and repairs online if you need them. 

4. Saving Space

Due to the lack of a tank, tankless water heaters require less space, which is crucial when you travel in an RV. 

5. Gas and electricity models are available

Both gas and electric models are available for tankless suburban water heaters. You can find a tankless water heater that meets your needs by browsing tankless water heater sales online. You need to consider what type of tankless water heater will best suit your needs. Camping in the woods, for example, is best served by an RV Propane water heater

Let's see how you can choose between electric and gas water heaters. 

Tankless RV water heaters: Electric or propane?

If you are boondocking and camping in the middle of nowhere, you usually do not have access to electric hookups. If you need hot water in this situation, you should search for a propane water heater or a gas water heater. Also, you should ensure that your propane cylinder water heater has enough fuel to last you a long time. 

When you style your camping in a campground with access to electricity and other facilities, you may opt for a tankless water heater powered by electricity. Depending on how you RV. No matter what style you choose, always choose the best brand because a brand guarantees quality.

What are the best brands of tankless RV water heaters?

On-demand water heaters for RVs include;

  1. Girard Products

  2. Aquastat for suburban RVs

  3. Water heaters from Coleman

  4. Atwood RV water heaters

Among the most reliable brands are those that offer gas, electricity, or both types of water heaters. They can have tanks or be tankless. Among the popular tankless water heaters are:

  1. Tankless White by Girard Prod GSWH-2

  2. Suburban 5286A Nautilus on-demand water heater 

  3. Hot Water On Demand by Coleman 2000026562 - H2Oasis

  4. 50,000 BTU tankless water heater from Atwood

How does RV antifreeze work in RV tankless water heaters?

If you are going to winterize your RV, be sure to include the tankless water heater.  If your tankless water heater runs on propane or electricity, the process is the same. However, you need to refer to the user manual. Antifreeze can be used if the manufacturer allows it. One thing you should definitely remember is to cut back on the power from the heater because heating the antifreeze is not a good idea at all as it can adversely affect the components inside. Fortunately, most modern tankless water heaters have an internal heating system that prevents the water from freezing. If so, the antifreeze won't be necessary. 

A tankless RV water heater saves money in what ways?

Energy efficiency helps you save money.

Traditional water heaters constantly heat and store water using energy, such as propane or electricity. Therefore, it costs you money. However, a tankless water heater heats water only when it is required, saving you money. As you save energy, the initial investment you made in your trailer hot water tank heater pays off over time. 

Summary

You are lucky to have access to an RV water heater. It is easy to find a hot water tank for sale online. You can find tankless or tank hot water heaters. You decide which is best for you. If you need a hot water tank replacement for your RV, we have a vast selection of RV-related products available. Visit an RV Part Store for more information. 

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