Camping requires hot water heaters
A must-have item in every RV is the ability to shower after a tiring day of hiking or camping. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a small motorhome, tent camper or a larger RV hot water is vital to your ease of life.
A traditional tank-type heater (also called a storage water heater) stores hot water at the bottom of a large insulated tank until it’s needed, heating it from below with either the use of a gas flame or an electrical element suspended inside. A thermostat that can be adjusted regulates the temperature of the water and a pressure-relief valve prevents excessive pressure buildup inside the tank.
The majority of the time the temperature setting of the tank-type water heater will be between 120 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough for most household use however, it is not so hot as to pose a scalding risk to children or pets in the area of the water heater.
MotorAid is a feature that all water heaters have. It makes use of engine heat to warm the tank of water as you drive on the road, or park. This helps conserve energy by reducing the need to burn gasoline however it requires that you have a working engine to enable this feature.
40 gallon gas water heater is another option. It heats water only when it is required. They can be natural gas or electric (natural and propane) and are more efficient than traditional tank-type units.
They come in a wide range of prices and the most affordable options priced around $100. They provide hot water for one faucet at time. They typically have a flow rate of 1 to 1.5 gallons per hour.
A more expensive model is able to handle as many as six faucets at once. Some of these tanks can provide hot water for showers.
Certain models come with a pilot light that uses gas to ignite the heat, but some can operate without the pilot light. Some models come with an intermittent ignition device instead that resembles the spark ignition device found on certain natural gas furnaces and kitchen stoves.
Whatever type of water heater you have in your RV, it is essential to put it in the correct opening size in your coach. Also, ensure that the plumbing is properly installed so that there are no leaks. Visit your local Camping World SuperCenter store for more details on the best procedure to follow.
The tank of your RV water heater must be emptied occasionally, especially when you are de-winterizing or cleaning your RV. When you drain the tank, be sure to eliminate any sediment that might have built up inside of it. Sediment can be anything, from fine sand to rock or calcium-rich dirt.
If you are looking for an RV water heater, make sure it is at least 6-10 gallons . This will prevent you from having to empty it as often as you would with smaller tanks.
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