A new RV water heater can make a huge improvement on the road and enrich your outdoor living experience. Having a steady stream of hot water is something many of us take for granted while at home, but sorely miss when exploring the great outdoors. This is one of the main advantages of RV travel vs. camping in tents, you have the luxuries of home anywhere you go.

You’ll need  an RV water heater that can keep up with you though. If you run out of hot water in the shower, it's a hassle, especially if there are several other people travelling with you. Not to mention, without the modern safety requirements and ruggedness with which RV equipment must be designed, technical failures are common. How do you know which water heaters are best for you? 

Important Considerations for an RV Water Heater

 
If you are looking to replace or upgrade your water heater, below are a few considerations you should keep in mind.  

Tank vs tankless water heater 

Most of the RV water heaters available in the market are tanked water heaters, meaning they included water tanks ranging in size from 4 to 10 gallons. The problem with a limited-capacity tank heater is that you can only heat so much hot water and will have to wait for more to heat up before you can continue using it. On the other hand, a tankless RV water heater lets you enjoy an unlimited supply of instant hot water by heating the water as it flows through the system.  Another benefit of tankless water heaters is that they have higher energy efficiency and will have longer lifespans when compared to alternative options. For an RV, this should be a top priority. When it comes to winterization, water heaters without a tank are also easier to empty and apply an anti-freeze, if necessary.  

Furrion tankless water heater provides instantaneous and consistent supply of hot water. 

A Furrion tankless water heater heats up to 2.4 gallons per minute or 144 gallons per hour, meaning you’ll never be left in the cold. With a BTU of 60,000, our heaters can effortlessly heat running water even when outside temperatures drop as low as 34ºF (1ºC). 

Compact design

Space is a concern while camping, so downsizing what you can is always a benefit - as long as it doesn’t compromise your comfort while on the road. A tankless RV water heater offers a far more compact design, and can be discreetly installed into your vehicle, tucked away where you won’t notice it.  

A steady temperature

 
Typically, having different pipes for hot and cold water mean temperature fluctuations are to be expected. When taking a shower, having your water at a constant temperature is vital to avoid burning yourself, or enduring a period of uncomfortably cold water.   

Furrion Vortex technology allows for the ability to control the temperature of the water without any fluctuations. This works even when the water flow is being split between two different locations, for example, when someone is taking a shower and another person is washing dishes.

Furrion’s Vortex technology consistently mixes water to your desired temperature. 

Fuel source

 
Gas water heaters are the choice of experienced RV travelers. While electric water heaters can be convenient on campgrounds and places with access to the grid, they quickly drain your battery if you try using them elsewhere.  

Because of this, gas RV water heaters are by far a more effective option than traditional water heater. Not only will they heat your water faster, but you can also be sure you’ll have a steady stream of hot water, even when you're deep in the wilderness. Furrion RV water heaters run on propane gas to effortlessly power your hot water flow the entire duration of your trip.  

Efficient and low power consumption

 
Power consumption is a major concern for all campers, especially when you plan to go off-grid and don’t have access to a power source. Tankless RV water heaters are far more energy efficient than traditional tank water heaters, making them an economical and environmentally friendly choice. With a minimum electric power consumption in active use and in standby mode, you don’t have to be concerned about running out of power even when boondocking. The heating capacity, measured in BTUs, also affects the energy efficiency of a water heater.  

A Furrion RV water heater features an industry high heating capacity of 60,000 BTU. Its Smart Electronic Control Management ensures a consistent output while optimizing fuel usage for various water flow rates, inlet temperatures, and temperature setpoint situations. Furrion water heaters demonstrate exemplary performance in many other important areas as shown below.  

Safety features

 
Safety is always a concern when fitting aftermarket equipment into your RV. As vehicles that often travel on uneven surfaces, experience harsh weather conditions, and are compact by nature, your RV needs a water heater you can trust. Each Furrion RV water heater is designed with safety features that offer complete peace of mind. Over-temperature sensors ensure the water heater never exceeds a safe temperature, while a valve ensures that any pressure over 87psi is safely released.

Furrion water heaters are easily retrofitted 

 
Far too many RV enthusiasts settle for poor water heating systems. The hassle of replacing water heating systems is enough for some people to consider getting a new vehicle altogether. This is why at Furrion we design on-demand water heaters that are easy to install and retrofit.  

To get started with the installation, you will first need to drain the water in your old heater, then disconnect all the components. The Furrion RV water heater will slot right in place without a struggle. As a tankless hot water heater with a compact system, it easily fits into awkward spaces as well, while a range of different sized doors means you don't have to completely redesign your RV’s internal layout.  

For those with older water heater models from ATWOOD, Suburban, Girard, or other brands, the replacement and installation is easy and straightforward. With an existing cut-out, you’ll need to first figure out which size door assembly is right for you. Our 16-1/8" x 16-1/8" small door is perfect for retrofitting four-gallon water heaters, while the 16-1/8" x 18-1/8"  door is enough for older six-gallon water heaters. Our slightly bigger 18-1/8" x 18-1/8" door is sized for a 10-gallon water heater.  

 Three door sizes are available to provide a fit for all RVs.

After this you’ll need to prepare the utilities, including the gas supply, electrical wiring, and water plumbing. The wall controller should be in place with the blue wires in easy reach before you slide in the water heater itself. Following this, you’ll need to connect all the utilities, secure the water heater in place, attach the door and then test for gas and water leaks. A detailed installation guide is available in the user manual.  

Set water to your desired temperature with the sleek wall thermostat of the Furrion Tankless Water Heater. 
 

The Best Tankless Water Heater for RV travel 

 
With gas-powered technology, Furrion RV water heaters are suitable for all RV travel, even when boondocking. In off-grid areas, all you need is an RV pump rated to supply between 35 and 70 psi of water pressure, which is more than enough to supply excellent water flow to the water heater. Our water heaters have been tested in the most extreme conditions, and work at altitudes of up to 4,500 feet. For even higher altitudes, contact support at Furrion for a  software setting change. 

You’re ready now! Enjoy a steady supply of RV tankless hot water wherever you go with Furrion.