‘All work and no play makes Jack a Dull boy’ – well, who want to be a dull person like jack? No one! So having adventures on roads in between your busy life will harm no one and pump your energy now and then. What would be extra to that enjoyment? An instant supply of hot water in your RV, of course!
So when you are roaming in a group, the waterfalls on short if you want to take a shower back to back. The water stored in your RV might not be enough for the four or three people riding on it. The easy solution is to swap the RV water heater into a tankless water heater. The installation or conversation is pretty straightforward.
But primarily, the most important thing is to choose the size of the tankless water heater you want for your RV. The key is to find that knowing how much water you use at one time. Find out your demands and see which tankless water heater can provide the Gallons per Minute you need. You have to apply the same method for this when you choose the size of a tankless water heater for your home.
A tankless water heater can be installed at any place in your RV, where you have spaces. But if you want to go for a dedicated model of RV then the heater is going to be installed on the panel. The LP or natural Gas units are needed to be vented. The water lines are required to be run from the group to the water supply. If you install the heater on the outer panel, then the vent needs to be cut out; otherwise, it vents directly through the wall as it directly attached to the unit.
First, make sure the propane is switched off and the switch of water connection and electrical is also disconnected so that when you are Making these significant changes, you are not ending up making more messes. Once you make sure all the above mentioned are turned off you start disconnecting the gas, the water and the electrical from the unit.
Installation is pretty straightforward and does not take more than a couple of hours. If you want to install a tankless water heater on the outer panel, carefully cut out the previous unit and measure the hole if it fits up for your new tankless water heater. Place the unit in the hole carefully and position the door and seal it. You want to line up the holes on the door match with the holes on the water heater.
After that, just go ahead and screw them in places. It will secure the tank with the trailer well fitted. After that, put a bead of silicone all the way around so that you can seal it from any other moisture and water from the outside. Connect the 12 volts electrical connection where you have to connect the red with the positive and the black to the ground. Or combine the gas line with the unit if you want to use it by gas.
Now add the hot and cold water connection to the unit. Mount the control panel to the base place where it would be easier for you to turn on or to change the temperature according to your choice. Voila! It will start working.
How Does it Work?
A tankless water heater on RV works almost same as a tankless water heater at your home. It heats water through a heat exchanger when the water flows through the units. The water heaters are two kinds – gas and electric. In case of a RV, it is mostly the gas driven tankless water heater used and natural or propane gas are used for the unit.
Advantages:
The most obvious advantage of having a tankless water heater is having the unlimited supply of hot water whenever you want, wherever you want. On the top, it is fresh. Unless like a tank system water heater, it does not store water, so you have your hands on clean hot water every time you tap on gears.
You can save a significant-time because a tankless water heater uses a very minimal gas than a tank system water heater. So, no more being stingy about propane while road trips. Moreover, your propane tank will last longer as the tankless water heater uses the gas-only when you want hot water. The same goes for electricity.
The most unfortunate RVers are those who have to deal with the situation when their tank system water heater leaks all over their RVs. But, with a tankless water heater, it would never be an issue as the concept of storing water itself is missing. There is minimal damage even if a sprinkle of the leak is shown as no gallons of water are stored. Fewer Worries for life.
No pilot light is needed as the latest tankless water heaters use an electric ignition. The water heater is manufactured to heat water accurately according to your choice. Everybody can enjoy the water as they wish.
Last but not least, a tankless water heater can be your adventurous road trip companion for not less than fifteen years whereas the Tank system water heater can provide las long half of it. The absence of storing water also plays a significant role in its longevity as it will not end up destroying when not in use for a prolonged time like a tank system hot water.
Disadvantages:
A deal breaker happens when you use all the fixtures at a time, but it is a very uncommon scenario in cases of RV. The size of a tankless water heater is not that big so, it is not significant inflow more than two or three gallons per minute. Though it is not a big issue as the usage of water in an RV is also not that much. Sometimes you may find the flow a bit of inconsistent, but that’s okay considering other advantages of the tankless water heater.
Related: RVing 101 Guide: Water Heaters
The tankless water heater is gaining popularity over time among the RV owners. You may expand a little bit more on buying and installing one in your RV, but it will save money and energy at the end of the day. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the road with an unlimited source of hot water and have a great life.