Types of RV Tankless Water Heaters
These RV tankless water heaters have multiple buying options available in the market. So we’ll take a look at all of them very briefly to understand which one would be the best for you:
Gas-fired heaters
These usually have propane as their fuel and hence need proper venting as well to let the hot exhaust gases out.
Gas is also cheaper, and this unit itself is more efficient than the electric ones for other reasons.
So, it is energy efficient, it also does a fantastic job to heat water, and always supplies water to your hot water tap. But it can get dangerous for the environment because of the gases it uses.
Electric heaters
The benefits of these tankless water heaters are easy installation, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness.
So with these water heaters, you can get cold water without feeling guilty about it damaging the environment.
Non-condensing tankless water heaters
This is a tried and tested product that many people are okay with because it is reliable. The drawback is that it has lower energy efficiency.
And moreover, the energy efficiency of this tankless water heater keeps dropping more when we utilize it.
The hot exhaust also needs more venting here, which can be a little expensive to get installed.
Condensing heaters
This is almost like the same non-condensing tankless water heaters, except this one comes with two heat exchangers.
The second one uses the same heat for heating water again. This way, you are always in reach of warm water.
The unit still has a higher cost and is not very energy-efficient, but we have to live with that trade-off.
Best Rv Tankless Water Heater Comparisons
Image | PRODUCT/ Features | Rating | |
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Top Pick | Furrion Tankless Water Heater Heater type: Gas water heater Flow rate: 2.4 Gallons per minute Size: 12.81 x 12.62 x 20.75 inches Maximum pressure: n/a Warranty: 2 years Price: $$$$ |
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Read Full Review |
Popular Pick | GIRARD 2GWHAMHeater Type: Wind-powered water heater Flow rate: n/a Size: 14.5 x 17.8 x 14.6 inches Maximum pressure: n/a Warranty: 2 years Price: $$$$ |
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Read Full Review |
Outdoor Pick | Camplux 16L Outdoor Heater Type: Liquid Propane Tankless Water Heater Flow rate: 4.22 gallons per minute Size: 17.32 x 7.87 x 27.56 inches Maximum pressure: 110 PSI Warranty: n/a Price: $$$ |
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Budget Pick | Gasland Outdoor BE158Heater Type: n/a Flow rate: 1.58 gallons per minute Size: 11.8 x 6.1 x 17.3 inches Maximum pressure: 110 PSI Warranty: n/a Price: $ |
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Read Full Review |
Precision Temp RV-550Heater Type: Wind-powered propane water heater Flow rate: n/a Size: 13.5 x 13.5 x 14.25 inches Maximum pressure: n/a Warranty: 2 years Price: $$$$$ |
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Read Full Review | |
Fogatti 42000BTUHeater Type: Wind-powered propane water heater Flow rate: 1.58 gallons per minute Size: 15 x 15 x 15.4 inches Maximum pressure: 116 PSI Warranty: one year free service Price: $$$ |
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Read Full Review | |
Suburban MFG 5243ASW10DEHeater Type: Wind-powered water heater Flow rate: 10.2 gallons per hour Size: 9.99 x 9.99 x 9.99 inches Maximum pressure: n/a Warranty: n/a Price: $$$ |
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Read Full Review | |
RecproHeater Type: Gas water heater Flow rate: n/a Size: 25 x 18 x 18 inches Maximum pressure: n/a Warranty: n/a Price: $$$$ |
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Read Full Review | |
Marey GA 10LPHeater Type: Gas water heater Flow rate: 3.1 gallons per minute Size: 6.9 x 13.6 x 23.6 inches Maximum pressure: n/a Warranty: 5 years warranty Price: $$ |
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Read Full Review | |
EZ 101 Heater Type: Propane-powered water heater Flow rate: 2.0 gallons per minute Size: 17.5 x 12 x 5 inches Maximum pressure: n/a Warranty: 1 year warranty Price: $ |
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Read Full Review |
Product Reviews
Understanding which RV tankless water heater will be the best for you requires a deeper analysis of each of the water heater. For that purpose, the following section discusses our recommended tankless water heaters in great detail.
1. Furrion Tankless Water Heater (Top Pick)
This RV water heater comes with a 60K BTU heating power and a 2.4 gallons per minute capacity. This tankless water heater works by sensing the water temperature: as soon as it falls below 32F, the water heater starts supplying hot water on demand.
So, consider this an on demand water heater. The vortex technology is probably what makes this the top pick on this list – it constantly keeps mixing water and automatically shuts off the power once the temperature gets higher than a certain limit.
The RV tankless heater is specifically designed to be on the road. It is extremely durable and structured to bear intense problems on the road. The materials used are of the highest quality, and the manufacturer provides a two-year warranty for this product.
The rigidity of this product is what makes it one of the best RV tankless water heaters that you can find for your on-the-road adventures. So, whenever you’re looking to go on a new, thrilling road trip, do not forget that the Furrion tankless water heater could be your new best friend.
With Furrion, get hot water whenever you crave it.
Specifications:
- Weight: 44.5 pounds
- Model: Furrion Water Heater
- Voltage: 12 volts
- Capacity: 6 gallons
Other features:
- Engineered for durability
- Smart technology
- Specifically designed for retrofit applications
Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
+ Outlet stays at a fairly constant temperature
+ Good value for money
– Bad customer service
2. GIRARD 2GWHAM (Popular Pick)
This RV tankless heater comes with freeze protection; this makes it perfect for use in the winters and keeps your tankless water heater safe as well.
It has 42,000 BTUs which make way for optimum performance. By being the popular pick on this list, this RV tankless water heater keeps its promises up.
Not only do these qualities of the hot water heater improve the performance of the plumbing, they also make sure that no exceptional plumbing or lp gas lines are required.
One of the best features of this tankless water heater is its quiet motor – which is a big plus point for people who get annoyed by noise.
This is one of the best tankless water heaters available in the market and a must-consider product if you are looking to ensure hot water for yourself on all your trips.
GIRARD is one of the best partners that can accompany you on all your trips. With Girard, you never have to worry about on-demand hot water.
Specifications:
- Weight: 22 pounds
- Voltage: 12 volts
- Power Source: Wind-powered
Other features:
- Quiet brushless motor
- No special plumbing required
- Operates at less than 3 amps
- Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars
+ Durable
+ Time-saving
+ Less expensive
+ Super-quiet
3. Camplux 16L Outdoor (Outdoor Pick)
This is an instant hot water heater that will only require about 5 minutes to be set up. So, you do not overspend long amounts of time trying to get hot water when you’re out camping.
One of the most important things to remember about this RV tankless water heater is that you need to avoid improper installation. Any issues with this might cause gas leakages and might light the water heater on fire.
This tankless water heater comes with 6-in-1 protection: safety-flame failure device, over-heating protection, anti-freezing protection, and others.
The gas supply in this tankless water heater automatically turns off when the temperature starts rising above 167F.
The energy efficiency of this tankless water heater really makes it stand out in front of competitors. It provides you with on-demand hot water instantly.
The water heat exchanger has advanced combustion technology, which decreases the consumption of gas. This saves a lot of energy as well.
The Camplux tankless water heater aims to provide you with a better experience (with the added benefit of energy-saving) compared to other RV water heaters.
Specifications:
- Weight: 36 pounds
- Batteries: 2 D batteries required
- Voltage: 3 volts
Other features:
- Power-efficient
- Advanced combustion technology
- Digital temperature display
- 88.5% thermal efficiency
Customer Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
+ Good customer service
+ Can handle high water pressures
+ Easy to use
4. Gasland Outdoor BE158 (Budget Pick)
The CSA standards approve this RV tankless water heater for being a safe option in the market. The best part about this is its portability, which brings hot showers right to your door when you’re traveling.
The design is compact and lightweight, which helps in carrying it around with you on your trips.
A propane water heat exchanger is built with the same combustion technology as the Camplux tankless water heaters. This is one technology that immediately uplifts any product and makes it energy-efficient.
The Gasland team prides itself on its customer service. Their team of experts will always be at your service, ready to help you out with any of your Camplux RV tankless water heater questions.
The anti-freezing drain plug ensures no residual water is left to avoid freezing in cold areas or when the water heater is left unused for a long time.
With the specifications of RV water heaters like these, you can enjoy a hot shower after a long day of camping out in nature.
The best RV tankless water heater brings you hot water on demand whenever you want, which makes this an excellent product to invest in.
This is a propane tankless water heater, so make sure that is the only fuel you use.
Specifications:
- Weight: 15.67 pounds
- Material: Alloy Steel, Copper
- Voltage: 3 Volts
Other features:
- Compact size
- Lightweight
- Low water pressure start up
Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
+ Good customer service
+ The small size makes it portable
5. Precision Temp RV-550
This is probably one if, if not the best, tankless water heater by Precision Temp. You can utilize this with you not just in your RV but also in cabins and tiny homes.
This is a great product for RV owners, use this to produce hot water on demand, whenever you need it. The VariFlame control technology of the on-demand RV water heater ensures this.
Forget all those days standing waiting for hot water while taking a shower, washing dishes, or cleaning clothes.
The 55,000 BTUs of this RV tankless water heater is one of the highest inputs in the industry. This value speaks for itself when it comes to why this product is so special.
Moreover, compared to a traditional storage tank heater, this tankless unit uses 50% less gas. This makes the gas heaters more efficient and power-saving.
The stainless steel makes this a sturdy, strong, and reliable product that one can always count on. The water temperature is also adjustable. Be assured that this tank is a great option for anyone who likes their water according to their preference.
Specifications:
- Weight: 32 pounds
- Maximum input: 55,000 BTUs
- Minimum input: 16,000 BTUs
Other features:
- Power-vented sidewall penetration
- Pilotless ignition
- Instant flame-proofing by flame rectification.
- Pressure relief valve
Customer Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
+ Good tech support
+ Good value for money
6. Fogatti 42000BTU
This is one of the best RV tankless water heaters you can ever get because of its working power of 42,000 BTU. You can easily hook this tankless heater up with your water inlets and outlets. With Fogatti, say goodbye to cold water.
This RV water heater comes with a remote control that you can use to change settings and display relevant information.
Not only does this heater supplies hot water, it also comes with its own set of safety precautions that gas heaters require, such as over-heating protection, forced exhaust structure, flameout protection, etc.
If you’re thinking of replacing your existing water heater, or purchasing a new one, definitely think of Fogatti.
It is perfectly designed and sized for retrofit applications and works best for RV owners.
Fogatti, as a brand, really values its customers and goes out of its way to help them. If you purchase an RV water heater from them, they offer free and new replacements within 30 days of the delivery.
On top of that, they also offer one year of free service.
Tankless heaters are a life-saver product for many people, and Fogatti is a top product on that list.
Specifications:
- Weight: 32.3 pounds
- Maximum pressure: 116 psi
- Voltage: 12 Volts
Other features:
- Allows DIY installation
- Digital touch screen controller
- Adjustable temperature
Customer Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
+ Easy to use
+ Good value for money
7. Suburban MFG 5243ASW10DE
This is a direct spark ignition type electric tankless water heater that comes in enough models and sizes that every RV-er can find a tankless unit that works best for him.
The problem with only heat water is that excessive heat can often affect the different metals of the traditional tank heaters. But this hot water heater is made up of porcelain which prevents something like this from happening.
The porcelain-lined, steel hot water heater by Suburban is a good option for this very reason. It has a node rod that can absorb the electrolytic action.
With proper maintenance, this water heater tends to save its owners a huge amount of money and energy. Proper maintenance also means that you won’t feel the need to replace the tank before its lifetime ends, and hence, that saves the cost of premature replacement as well.
Another key aspect of these RV tankless water heaters is that they are pressure-tested two times before being sent out in the market to ensure that they are genuinely the best product out there.
Specifications:
- Weight: 46 pounds
- Recovery rate: 10.2 gallons per hour
- Input: 12,000 BTUH
Other features:
- Direct spark ignition
- Wind-powered
- Made of porcelain
Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
+ Fits well
+ Durable
8. Recpro
This Recpro RV tankless water heater ensures that you get a constant supply of hot water throughout your day, so you do not have to go through the frustrating ordeal of running out of hot water midway while you’re using it.
Do not wait for your hot water tank to warm up and instantly get hot water with this tankless water heater.
Keeping the tankless water heater is also an important component that many might not think about, or it can negatively affect your RV. This is why the Recpro RV tankless water heaters have this forced exhaust structure that maintains the cleanliness of the air.
A dust net is also present, ensuring that no dirt or dust particles get into the RV tankless water heater.
Another important feature of this tankless water heater is its low-pressure startup, which protects the water heater from multiple issues.
Specifications:
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Color: White
- Power source: Air-powered
Other features:
- Forced exhaust structure
- Dust net
Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
+ Works well in different conditions
+ Fits nicely
9. Marey GA 10LP
With Marey, hot water supply will be a breeze to attain. This tankless water heater is activated by flow and saves up to 60% on your water bill while heating water.
The design is compact, so it can easily be installed anywhere and saves a lot of space. One of the best things is that this RV tankless water heater does not require an electrical connection, unlike an electric water heater.
This comes in handy for people who might face frequent power outages or want to save electricity in their RV. Consider this an on-demand water heater that will become your best friend during long outings in your RV.
Using this RV tankless water heater, you can easily control the water temperature and ensure that no water is lost through leakages. This on-demand RV water heater works well with low water pressure levels.
Rest assured that this is on the list to be one of the best tankless water heaters because of its rustproof features.
Specifications:
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Power source Wind-powered
- Efficiency level: 87%
Other features:
- Natural gas or propane
- Activates by water pressure
- Endless hot water on demand
Customer Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
+ Maximum energy saving
+ Saves up to 80% in energy
10. EZ 101
These are propane power source tankless heaters that you can use to keep yourself warm all during your trip because of their constant hot water flow.
Take as many comforting, warm showers as you would like and take them for as long as you want without worrying about it running out.
It is easy to set up this RV tankless water and get it up and running in just a few minutes. This will be the perfect RV tankless water heater to accompany you on your outdoor trips.
It also comes with a 20-minute timer that shuts down itself after 20 minutes to prevent any overheating of the RV tankless water heater.
Other good qualities of this water heater include the warranty (1 year on the heat exchanger and parts), 15-minute setup, and portability.
Specifications:
- Weight: 11 Pounds
- 42,000 BTU
- Energy factor: 0.84
Other features:
- 2D cell battery-powered
- Electronic ignition
- No necessary recovery time
Customer Rating: n/a
+ Affordable water heater
+ Really good for outdoor installation
What Is an RV Tankless Water Heater?
The tankless water heater has proven to be an extremely helpful invention for everyone. With the tankless water heater, you do not have to wait for your water heater tank to fill up.
It provides you with hot water whenever you need it. Hence, this solves one of the biggest problems with hot water usage: you never get hot water on time, and it always finishes up too quickly.
Tankless heaters do not need a storage tank to store hot water, rather it only needs hot and cold faucets. As soon as the cold faucet is turned on, the water flows through the tankless heater and gets heated up.
An RV water heater is one that we can put up in an RV and use according to our needs when we’re out camping on our thrilling adventures.
RV tankless water heaters have multiple benefits that people often do not focus on, but they are the future invention.
How Does an RV Tankless Water Heater Work?
Have you ever wondered why these water heaters are energy efficient? Because they do not use up the energy required to keep the hot water within the storage tank.
The water heater uses a heating element to heat water as it flows through the electric water heater; sometimes gas is also used in these water heaters.
The heating capacity is of different levels in different models, but overall it is a step ahead of the standard water heaters because of how it works.
This process also allows the tankless water heaters to supply hot water constantly. Hence, you never have to worry about cold water ever again when you have this installed.
Warm water will always be available to you with these hot water heaters.
These water heaters can also offer higher water flow rates depending on the fuel, but this is a major benefit because you do not have to stand around waiting.
Installing a Tankless Water Heater in Your RV
Purchase the door and the tankless water heater separately, after which the steps are relatively easy to follow.
- Shut off all connections to the heater, whether it is the water flow, gas, electricity, water supply, or anything.
- Drain the relief valve.
- Remove all other connections, especially that of hot and cold water. Remove the unit.
- Remove the old caulking, clean, and check for any residue left behind.
- Place butyl tape and slide the new and the best tankless water heater into the schools.
- Reconnect all the connections one by one, so just make sure you don’t miss out on everyone.
- Turn on the water pump and check for no leakages. Check for the power after this, and turn it on. This part will let us know whether we understood or not.
Tank Vs. Tankless Water Heater for Your RV
First, let’s look at the advantages of using a tankless water heater instead:
- No recovery time. Get hot water whenever you need it without waiting for it ever again.
- Pre-setting your water temperature. You can decide what time you all want to come back or come up and well all can follow it.
- These water heaters weigh far less than the other big ones.
- Unlimited hot water whenever you want, wherever you want.
Now let’s look at the disadvantages of doing so:
- Ir utilizes more propane.
- You will not be able t change the temperature on-spot and will have to manage this beforehand.
- A few seconds delay in the hot water provision is something that might happen with these water heaters.
Why Should You Go Tankless?
This depends on your decision. Once you know the pros and cons of both situations, you can easily distinguish and choose which one you want.
For now, if you want to get a brief overview: The tankless water heater weighs less, provides you with unlimited hot water, and you have to pre-set your temperature.
After considering these factors, if these are genuinely important for you, you should consider purchasing the RV water heater.
How to Pick a Tankless Water Heater for Your RV?
These are certain factors that help you through this while picking the tankless water heater for your RV:
British Thermal Unit
This is the capacity of heating the tankless hot water heaters. Factoring in the BTUs helps you decide which unit you should get according to your needs.
This is because in different areas changing the incoming cold water temperature requires a different effort.
The average British Thermal Units for most RVs are between 30,000 BTU to 50,000 BTU, per hour. This is a little less than the water heaters we have in our homes. This should not worry you too much, you will still find hot water; it might be just a little less desirable than the water from your existing water heater in your home.
Power-source
There are mainly three power sources: electric, propane, and battery-powered. You will have to see which one would be the best for you based on their different specifications. So, for example, RV-ers are more likely to prefer propane or battery-powered water heaters.
They are more portable, whereas the electric heaters have to be completely set up every time. This makes it hard for people who do not have the time or expertise to do this repeatedly.
Protection
You should have protection against both types of issues: rough weather and electricity shortages.
The water heater should have features that offer safety from different issues that might arise in the water heater.
Without features like this, your water heater will probably not supply you with hot water because it will not be working.
Space
Buying a product based on the space you have available is a brilliant thing to do because this way, you are ensuring that you will be able to install it properly within your space, and you will not face issues with this.
Especially for an RV, the space you have available is very limited, so it is essential to compare the space of your RV with the water heater you’re considering.
Price
While deliberating on the price, do not just think of average sales price, also think of extra costs like that f maintenance that of repair these are things you need to make very sure of. Only decide to buy something after you have deliberated on all the costs of it.
Especially if you’re planning on using your RV to camp out for a long time, it is essential to ensure you do not get yourself into something very expensive.
Rate of the water flow
If the flow rate is good, the amount of hot water supplied to you per minute will also be good. This is essential because you do not want to get a water heater that is extremely slow and does not even work on time.
For most showers, a 2.5 gallons per minute flow rate would be sufficient. Look for these specifications before you purchase any water heater.
Consumption of water
You need to know what the water consumption is in your household because that will give you an estimate of how much water is used.
You also need to know which appliances you will be running simultaneously so you have a final figure of how much water you would require exactly in your RV.
Another thing to know is whether you will require hot water in all of these places or if there are tasks that can happen without hot water, and it is not necessary for them.
In a shower, usually, 1.5 to 3 gallons of hot water are consumed every minute. In the bathtub and toilet., this rises to 2 to 4 gallons.
The kitchen sink will probably use 1.5 gallons per minute.
After determining the frequency and capacity of the usage of all these appliances, you must have gotten a clear picture of what exactly your requirements are.
Usually, water heaters supply 2-6 gallons per minute of water, and based on that; you will have to estimate how much water will be consumed in your water heater.
Frequently Asked Questions on Best RV Tankless Water Heater
Does my RV tankless water heater require maintenance?
Yes, all electrical appliances require maintenance. The same goes for tankless water heaters as well.
Maintenance is also a very important task to perform because its absence can severely impact the working of a device.
The only thing to note here is that gas water heaters require a little more maintenance than electric systems. This is because they’re more prone to mineral scale buildup.
To prevent that from ruining your device, it is essential to maintain it properly and timely.
What is the difference between a tankless water heater and one with a tank?
A tank water heater fills up its tank with hot water and then circulates it through the rest of the plumbing system, which takes more time.
Whereas a tankless water heater uses an exchanger to constantly heat water as it flows through the pipes, which takes up less of your time than the other one.
What size tankless water filter should I purchase for my RV?
The size of the RV water filter also depends on certain factors. Make a selection based on your preferences. The device’s flow rate should match your specific requirements, and it should be enough to deliver hot water as per your needs.
If the flow is too less, you will end up getting very annoyed with your purchase because it will be really hard to use.
Similarly, the size should also match up your space. So, for example, for a small RV, you cannot purchase a machine that takes up too much space.
Should I choose an electric or gas water heater for my RV?
If you are sure that you will have a constant supply of electricity, then an electric water heater will be amazing.
However, people for whom this is a problem might not have much use for an electric water heater because it will not work correctly.
Hence, it is better to purchase a gas-driven heater in those situations because that will work anywhere.
Do Tankless Water Heaters Need Cleaning?
Yes, they do. The instructions might differ slightly based on your model, but you will get this information from the manual that comes with your tankless heater.
How to maintain an RV water heater?
The best way to maintain your water heater is to clean it properly on time and never to let buildup stay unnoticed for a long time.
Conclusion
RV tankless heaters are one of the best inventions one can get their hands on. If you’re someone who loves their fair share of adventures, then this is the best purchase for you.
We hope that this list helped you find the best tankless heater option for yourself. Maintaining the heater once you purchase it is equally important, so ensure that happens as well.