This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no extra cost to you. As an amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more from the privacy policy page
RVs are fantastic because they give you the freedom to travel wherever you want, whenever you want. However, one of the challenges with going nomadic is that RV water heaters don’t always provide enough hot water at once for multiple people.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide: to help you choose the right type of RV water heater so that your next trip can be as comfortable as possible.
How Much Electricity Does A RV Water Heater Use?
An RV water heater can use anywhere from 7,000 to 15,000 watts of electricity. This equates to about 0.7 kilowatts per hour or about 3 kilowatts per day (assuming 12 hours).
It’s important to note that your actual wattage consumption can vary depending on how long the heater runs and what setting you select for the RV tankless water heater or electric RV water heater product you choose.
To get an idea of your total electricity cost, multiply the amount of time that your RV is plugged into shore power by the amount of energy used by your electric tankless hot water system or conventional electric storage tank water heating system.
Tankless vs. Traditional Hot Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are more efficient than traditional water heaters because they only use energy when you need it.
When you turn on your RV’s shower, the tankless heater will kick in and provide as much hot water as you need at that time, then shut off again until the next time you turn on a faucet. This makes them more efficient than traditional models because they don’t waste energy heating up excess water that no one has used yet.
As with most things, however, there are tradeoffs for this increased efficiency. First of all, tankless heaters tend to be more expensive than their cousins and since this is an investment that won’t last forever (like something with a motor would), paying extra may not make sense for everyone.
Also: while they do save money on power bills over long periods by using less electricity overall per day/week/year etc., some people aren’t willing to make such an upfront investment if it means having less cash available now versus later when their savings finally pay off after months or years have gone by.
How Can I Reduce RV Energy Cost?
As you can see, there are many ways to save on your RV water heater use. Many of these tips can also be applied to stationary and semi-portable water heaters as well.
Here’s a quick rundown of the steps you’ll need to take:
- Install an electric timer on your water heater. Timers are inexpensive and easy to install, and they will allow you to program your system so that it doesn’t run during off hours or when no one is around (e.g., at night).
- Install a thermostat and use manual settings for when no one is home for extended periods or when it’s cold outside, as heating unused hot water isn’t cost-effective in these cases. If your RV has a central furnace/AC unit installed already then consider installing some type of temperature balancing device into its ductwork so that heat from both sides can be combined evenly throughout any given room; this will help keep costs down while keeping everyone comfy too.
RV water heaters are typically powered by propane gas which is expensive and it can be difficult to find a supply in some parts of the country.
Using solar energy for heating your RV’s hot water will reduce costs significantly over time, but there may be times when electricity is cheaper than propane or vice versa. It all depends on where you live.
And If your RV has a central furnace/AC unit installed already then consider installing some type of temperature balancing device into its ductwork so that heat from both ends can be combined evenly throughout any given room; this will help keep costs down while keeping everyone comfy too.
If your RV has an electric heating element, you may want to consider installing a timer on it so you can program when the heater turns on and off. This will save electricity during times when there are no people in the vehicle.
How Do RV Water Heaters Work?
RV water heaters are very similar to residential water heaters and work similarly. They contain an electric element that heats the water as it passes through. The thermostat turns on when the temperature reaches a certain level.
When the thermostat shuts off, this indicates that your RV’s tank is full of warm water. This can be used to fill a bathtub, shower, or sink; as well as provide hot water for cooking and cleaning purposes.
However, there are some differences between a residential water heater and an RV one:
- Their size – Residential units tend to be larger than those built specifically for RVs, which can mean more energy will be consumed since they require more fuel (electrical current) to operate at full capacity.
- Water pressure – In most cases there’s less pressure in RVs than at home where private wells supply enough water pressure for normal household use with minimal effort required from homeowners who have installed their private systems within their homes or apartments; whereas most RV tanks will not have sufficient pressure unless they’re connected directly into municipal lines with some kind of booster pump installed beforehand—which could result in higher costs down the road if not properly maintained over time.
How Much Water Can A RV Water Heater Hold?
Depending on the size of your RV, you may have a water heater that can hold up to 50 gallons, 100 gallons, or even more. This means that if you’re traveling with a small family and don’t plan on staying in one place for too long, then a smaller model can be sufficient.
However, if you have an extended trip planned out with lots of time spent at campgrounds or national parks where there are no hookups available (like Yellowstone), then it may be worth investing in something larger.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A RV Water Heater?
There are several benefits to using an RV water heater. If you’re considering buying one, here are some of the most significant pros:
- They’re more efficient than traditional water heaters. These types of appliances require less electricity to operate and they offer greater energy savings due to their smaller size and weight.
- They’re easier to install than traditional models. Since they have fewer parts, you won’t need much time or expertise when installing them in your vehicle’s engine compartment or bathroom area (depending on where you want it). You can even do it yourself if you have handyman skills.
- They’re more affordable than other types on the market today because there aren’t many options available yet so prices aren’t competitive yet either way–but prices will go down as demand increases over time which will drive down costs overall until everyone can afford these great devices at reasonable prices again.
- RV water heaters are safer. These types of appliances have been designed with safety in mind, which means they’re less likely to cause burns or fires due to overheating than other models might be capable of doing otherwise. They also produce moist heat instead of dry heat so there’s never any risk of dehydration when using them because all moisture evaporates into the air before reaching your body.
- RV water heaters are more efficient than traditional water heaters. The reason why this is an advantage is that you don’t have to wait for hot water to be available, saving both time and energy.
Does Rv Water Heater Use A Lot Of Electricity?
Tankless water heaters can be more expensive than traditional electric water heaters, so you may be wondering if it’s worth the extra cost. If you think about things like electric bills and home value, however, the answer is yes.
This is because tankless water heaters use less energy than their counterparts and they can help you save money on your electric bill each month. In addition to this benefit, there are also other reasons why tankless water heaters are better than traditional ones. Let’s take a look at some of them below.
- Tankless water heaters take up less space in your home, which means you can use the space for something else like storage or a playroom.
- You won’t have to worry about running out of hot water when you use a tankless water heater. – Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient, which means you can save money every month. – It costs less money to operate a tankless model versus an electric one.
How Much Power Does An Rv Hot Water Heater Use?
The answer is, that it depends on the size of your RV. But we can give you a general idea.
A 30-gallon water heater uses between 1,000 and 2,000 watts of power. That’s about half as much as a standard household appliance like a hair dryer. It may not seem like much in comparison to other appliances in your rig, but being aware of how much energy they use will help you save money on fuel costs and keep your batteries charged up for those long drives.
How Many Watts Does An Rv Electric Water Heater Use?
You’re probably wondering, “How much electricity does an RV water heater use?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question. The amount of power that your water heater uses depends on:
- The type of RV electric water heater you have (e.g., gas or electric)
- How many watts your specific model consumes (this can vary between 25 and 100 watts)
- How many gallons your specific model holds (this also varies by model)
Let’s take a look at these factors in greater detail.
How many watts does an RV electric water heater use? On average, a typical RV electric water heater will consume about 1/4 of a kilowatt. This translates to around 10-20 watts per gallon of water heated, so if your system heats 8.5 gallons then it’s using 85 watts. It all depends on the type of RV you own and how much hot water demand there is within your home.
Should I Leave My Rv Water Heater On All The Time?
You can leave your RV water heater on all the time, but there are some good reasons why you might want to turn it off when you’re not using it.
The first reason is that when your RV water heater is turned off, it uses no electricity at all. That’s good for the environment and your bank account.
The second reason is that when you turn your RV water heater on (even if it’s just to take a shower), it will draw more power than usual for about an hour or two until it heats up. Then, if you continue using hot water from then on out, the power draw drops back down again. This means that leaving your RV’s water heater on all day may make sense if:
- You’re planning to use hot water almost every hour of every day; or
- You’re only planning to use hot showers or baths during certain hours of the day; or
- Your campsite has limited access to shore power service and leaving everything on battery power would drain those batteries too quickly during times when they aren’t charging from shore power
So, if you’re planning to use hot water almost every hour of every day, then it can make sense to leave your RV’s water heater on all the time, especially if you’re at a campsite with limited access to shore power service. If not, then turning it off during the hours when you aren’t expecting to need hot showers or baths could save some energy.
Which Type Of Rv Water Heater Should You Choose?
If you’re looking at a tankless water heater, they have some significant advantages over the standard storage heater systems. First of all, they are more efficient. They heat water only as needed and do not waste energy keeping gallons of heated water warm until it’s needed. In addition to their efficiency, tankless models also save space in your RV since you don’t need to store gallons upon gallons of hot water.
Finally, tankless models provide an endless supply of hot water when you want it rather than heating a large tank every time you turn on the shower or flush the toilet. However, there are also drawbacks to choosing a tankless system: they can be more expensive and require professional installation by someone with experience working with RVs.
They are typically smaller than other types of RV heaters, meaning if you have multiple people staying in your unit at once then one person may be left waiting for their shower; finally, only certain models can be used outside so know what type yours is before installing.
Related Posts:
Conclusion
If you’re looking to reduce your energy costs and save some money on your next RV, consider switching to a tankless or low-flow water heater. These water heaters have many benefits over traditional models, including being more efficient and costing less to operate.
If you are considering purchasing an RV, you must choose the right type of water heater for your needs as well as how much power does RV water heater use.