Upgrading your Home? Don’t Forget the RV!

 Do you want to improve the appeal of your home for a sale? Do you want to install new appliances to flatter your comfort? Well, your choices are limitless! You can paint, upgrade the lighting, and fit more storage cabinets and more. However, a water heater is a thoughtful addition to any home and should be part of your home improvement project. 

Although upgrading your home may seem exciting, this gets better when you consider your RV too. After all, you want to enjoy great moments on the road. One of the best ways to upgrade your RV or camper is by installing a water heater. And this will make a home away from home when on a trip.

What are the different types of RV water heaters available?

 Having a water heater in your camper is not a new phenomenon. These appliances have been around for years, and you can get them in different types and models. Just like with a home water heater, you want to pick quality water heaters for rv, and understanding your choices goes a long way.

Check out the different RV heaters to consider;

Tankless water heater

A tankless water heater comes with numerous benefits. You can install it in your home or RV and enjoy a continuous supply of hot water at all times. This model hasn’t been in the market for long but makes an excellent choice for many. Although most water heaters feature a storage tank, you don’t need much space with the tankless model. You can install it in any area, thanks to its compact design. Also, the appliance heats the water as it moves up the pipe, and you won’t run out of hot water with such a heater.

Propane Only water heater

 Propane Only water heater is one of the oldest styles available. It can run in different environments; you only need propane gas in your tank and some power in your RV battery. This heater operates the same as its gas-fired counterpart in your home. To heat water, ignite a small flame in a heating tube; this will heat the water in the tank, thus supplying you with hot water.

Gas-Only water heater

 A gas-fired heater is a great choice for boondocking. These are camps with no electricity hookups, and this water heater will come in handy. It utilizes a minimal amount of power, meaning you’ll have hot water for a longer duration. Gas-fired heaters will only need 12v power from your batteries to operate. The switch also offers excellent safety features and won’t let the gas keep on flowing in case of ignition failure.

MotorAid RV water heater

Most motorhomes feature a motor aid that heats the water tank by recycling engine heat. This means that you’ll have hot water upon arriving at your destination. However, you’ll have to rely on propane or electricity to keep heating your water after parking your camper.

Gas + Electric RV heater

 Most modern RVs feature water heaters that can run on both gas and electricity. These are great options for camping in different environments. For instance, you can use electricity to heat your water or run the heater on gas in places with no power supply. Again, you can run both the electric and gas elements simultaneously to heat more water faster.

What do I need to know about RV water heaters?

There are various ways to heat your water in your RV water tank. There are also different types of RV heaters, and you can use your water you heater in paces without an electricity supply. These are electric and propane water heaters. With an electric heater, you turn it on from inside your RV. You can also heat the water using the engine heat, which is very economical. This is an excellent way of heating your water tank, and you’ll have hot water upon arrival.

 1. RV water tanks vary in size.

You’ll get RV water heater tanks in different sizes. Just like with a home heater, choose what matches your needs. You can go for a 6-gallin, 4, gallon or 16-gallon tank. The 16-gallon tank is ideal for many campers and eliminates the risk of running out of water when camping.

2. RV water tanks are smaller.

RV water heater tanks are smaller than ones used in the home. For a small home, you’ll likely get a 40-50 gallon tank, but this is usually 6-10 gallons and sometimes 16. This means that water conservation is critical; otherwise, you’ll run out of water when using an RV heater.

 However, you can still go tankless and have a constant hot water supply. Tankless water heaters for rv, Furrion don’t feature a storage tank and can fit different RV sizes.

3. Drain the water tank during long storage

When storing your RV for a longer duration, empty the water tank before locking the door. If you fail to do this, the water in the tank may freeze in cold months and cause significant damage to your RV. Also, winterize the pipes to avoid freezing or cracking when storing in winter. Once winter is over and you want to use your unit, turn off the bypass valve and fill the tank before heading out. This avoids a lot of damage that can happen when heating an empty tank.

4. An anode helps avoid corrosion.

 If you sometimes use hard water in your RV water heater tank, you can avoid this by installing an anode rod. The corrosion will affect the rod and spare your tank. Can I tell you more? This rod is easy to install, and you can replace it when it seems very corroded. An anode rod will prolong the life of your water heater tank, thus saving a lot of money.

In summary

There are different water heaters for home and RV use, and fitting one is an excellent way of upgrading your home or RV. To enjoy hot showers while away from home, don’t forget your camper. Fit a quality water heater, and if possible, go tankless. Such water heaters come with many benefits and will enhance your comfort while enjoying nature away from home.