Water Heaters
I’ll just say it…Hot Showers. If you have been RVing for any amount of time, then I am positive that you have experienced a dreaded cold shower or possibly a hot shower that went suddenly cold. Ah! It’s the worst! It takes a certain kind of person to go through those experiences. City folks don’t know what it’s like. Just kidding of course. But what I’m not kidding about is a fully functioning water heater. It is very important for all parts to be working properly and we will go through a few different components of the water heater on this page.
Like many other systems on the RV, there are two sources of heat power on many water heaters: electric and propane. Each have their benefits and down falls. Depending on where you live or RV the starting water temperature in the water heater will play a big factor. If the water is at a colder temperature then the electrical heating element will have to work a lot harder and longer to get that water to temperature. One of the reasons is the amount of surface area the heating element takes up compared to the tube the flame and heat go through. The less surface area, the more time to heat up the water.
A benefit electric has over gas is when you are running low on propane and have constant access to 120v electricity whether through shore, solar, or generator power. This will save on precious gas that you may want to use for your furnace or Blackstone grill. Weighing out the pros and cons of using either will impact decisions in other areas. You will need to find what is best for the way you live or camp.
Another component that we would like to cover here is the anode rod. If you have a steel water heater, Suburban brand mainly, there is an anode rod that collects the calcium in the water. This will deteriorate over time and needs to be replaced. The one in the picture is about 60% deteriorated but if there is a moment where you are draining the water heater, it is good to replace this piece as well. Rusting is something that can happen if the water heater is left for a long time, typically a year or more depending on what area you live. Checking the anode rod will help keep an eye on the amount of rust.
There will be people who try and make the argument that aluminum tanks need an anode rod as well but by the nature of these metals this is not the case. Camper Alex recommends them for steel tanks only, otherwise you may be tossing $20 down the drain.
We love talking RVs so if you have a need or just want some insight on how to tackle a problem on your own, we are here for you. Get in touch with us today!