The Greatest Campervan Water Heaters for RV Van Life [2024]

The Greatest Campervan Water Heaters for 2022

Water heaters are a necessary piece of kit for camper vans. However all of them have completely different options so it’s important to search out one which matches your wants.

Let’s go into an in depth evaluation of every among the best campervan sizzling water heaters obtainable out there.

Greatest General: Camplux Professional 1.58 GPM Tankless

• Worth Vary: Underneath $200
• Kind: Tankless on Demand
• GPM/Capability: 1.58 GPM
• BTUs: 41,000
• Energy Supply: Propane

On the subject of house, weight and effectivity this Camplux Professional is your huckleberry. This tankless water heater is ideal for van life due to its compact nature and its potential to run off of a transportable propane tank.

You’ll pack it away whenever you aren’t utilizing it. However when it’s time for decent water, dangle the heater on or close to the surface of your van, join it to your propane tank and water supply and let it do its job, heating water at 41,000 BTU.

It comes packed away with all of the equipment you will have – each cold and warm hoses, a compact showerhead and the propane hose adapter.

We actually just like the Camplux Professional as a result of you can even plumb it into your campervan water system and LPG system. You possibly can set up quick-connect adapters to your water and LPG tank and have a hook on the surface of your van the place you possibly can rapidly arrange an out of doors bathe.

Or you possibly can depart it freestanding to make use of outdoors wherever you’ve a supply of water and a transportable propane tank.

On the draw back, this water heater isn’t designed to be a everlasting answer for offering sizzling water. It’s extra of a transportable bathe. As such, you’ll solely be capable to use it when tenting at a proper campground the place you’ve a chilly water spigot and also you’ll at all times need to have propane close by to make use of it.

However in the event you don’t wish to completely set up a bigger water heater and you’ve got a relentless supply of water and propane, then this can be a nice budget-friendly possibility.

Greatest Tankless: GIRARD 2GWHAM

• Worth Vary: Over $700
• Kind: Tankless
• GPM/Capability: N/A
• BTUs: 42,000
• Energy Supply: Propane

If you happen to don’t wish to activate the water heater and stand round ready for a tank to heat up, this progressive tankless water heater from GIRARD is your greatest wager.

Though it operates with only a 12-volt supply of energy and attracts lower than three amps, its 42,000 BTUs ship sufficient warmth for a whole day’s price of sizzling showers! 

When connecting to shore energy it heats the water in about eight seconds and presents optimum temperature stability with out annoying fluctuations between cold and warm.

We actually recognize that though the water heater is cumbersome in dimension (15″ x 18″ x 15″) it’s comparatively light-weight as there isn’t a tank inside holding water. Additionally it is fairly simple to put in. You join the water inlet and outlet and the 12-volt wiring and it is able to go.

This can be a nice possibility you probably have an present tanked RV water heater and wish to exchange it with one thing somewhat extra environment friendly in the identical quantity of house.

On the draw back, this unit wants a minimal water strain of 40 psi to function with out burning up the warmth exchanger. So that you’ll wish to spend money on an awesome water pump or ensure you’ve a gradual metropolis water connection in campgrounds.

It additionally comes with out an exterior door, so that you’ll have to purchase that individually or get used to having a 13″ x 13″ uncovered heater on the facet of your van. And it’s dear. However you get what you pay for.

Greatest RV-Model Tank Heater: Dometic WH-6GEA

The Dometic WH-6GEA is among the many greatest water heaters on our listing. This 6-gallon heater will give you greater than sufficient water on your common consumption wants, significantly in the event you’re like us and luxuriate in boondocking.

This Dometic mannequin can work on each propane fuel and electrical energy with a strong 120-volt AC aspect and a 12v DC direct spark ignition system to warmth the water quickly.

The heater will produce a stable 10000BTU warmth with a ten.2 gallons per hour restoration fee, making it one of many quickest sizzling water heaters for campervans.

It has a 6-gallon sizzling water tank with agency building. The tank is made from aluminum, which makes it light-weight and corrosion-resistant. And it doesn’t require the extra upkeep of an anode rod.

On the draw back, this can be a tanked water heater so it takes up house and weight inside your campervan. Historically RV water heaters should not put in inside van conversions. However in the event you’re going to go along with one, this may be the one to put in.

And in case you are putting in it from scratch in your camper van conversion you will have to observe the set up directions fastidiously as you may be required to chop a 12″ x 12″ gap within the facet of your van. It’s additionally dear. However you gained’t have to fret about alternative or upkeep down the street.

Greatest Mini-Electrical Heater: Bosch Electrical Tronic 3000 T

• Worth Vary: Underneath $250
• Kind: Mini-Electrical
• GPM/Capability: 4 Gallon Capability
• BTUs: N/A
• Energy Supply: 110V Electrical energy

The Bosch Tronic 3000 T is an progressive, excellently engineered sizzling water heater that gained’t depart you ready for decent water.

It has premium glass-lined materials to make sure the sturdiness and lengthy service lifetime of your mini-tank water heater. With its thick CFC-free foam insulation and glass-lined tank, the unit achieves most power effectivity and sturdiness.

Not solely can it’s flooring, or shelf, mounted, mainly, wherever there’s house for it on the wall of your van conversion.

We actually like this Bosch mannequin as a result of it’s only 13.5″ x 13.5″ x 13.5″ and may match just about wherever inside your camper van. Stow it away beneath your sink and have quick plumbing traces between your water tank and sink. We additionally like that it has a typical 36″ AC plug in order that it doesn’t should be hard-wired into your van’s electrical system.

Whether or not you’re in a rush to get some dishes executed or simply wish to seize a fast bathe, the Tronic 3000 T is pleased that can assist you out.

On the draw back, sadly, there isn’t a propane possibility for powering the Tronic 3000T. So in the event you plan to do numerous boondocking you’ll both have to have a generator as an influence supply or you will have to plan to go with out sizzling water. Moreover, it’s comparatively costly for its 4-gallon dimension.

However in the event you plan to journey principally from campground to campground with a couple of stops at pals’ or household’s homes alongside the way in which the place you’ll have entry to shore energy, this can be a nice water heater possibility for you!

Greatest Photo voltaic Bathe: KIPIDA Photo voltaic Bathe Bag

• Worth Vary: Underneath $40
• Kind: Moveable Bag
• GPM/Capability: 5 Gallon Max
• BTU: N/A
• Energy Supply: Photo voltaic

Probably the most reasonably priced, versatile and moveable sizzling water heating possibility is that this 5-gallon photo voltaic bathe bag from KIPIDA.

Compared to different sizzling water heaters on our listing, that is essentially the most stripped-down model and meets the inclusion necessities as a result of it would warmth water.

Designed with eco-friendly and leak-proof supplies, this bathe bag captures power from the solar and warms the water inside.

It comes with a primary showerhead, hose and water faucet with the flexibility to improve to an on/off swap. You even have a wide range of colours to match your van life-style!

We love how easy this selection is for any campervan. If you happen to’re apprehensive concerning the house, weight or set up required in any of the earlier water heater choices, that is your go-to, particularly for dry tenting and boondocking.

The large draw back, after all, is that your water will solely be as sizzling because the solar and out of doors temperatures enable it to be. So the water heater “turns off” when the solar goes down and it might take some time for it to heat up once more within the morning. And even when the solar is shining on a chilly day it’s possible you’ll not expertise the identical aid a sizzling bathe would offer from considered one of our different suggestions.

You’re additionally restricted to the 5-gallon capability. Use all of it up and also you’ll be ready hours for extra heat water. And, after all, heat is about as “sizzling” as it would get. You gained’t have to fret about turning the warmth down with this photo voltaic bathe bag!

However that is the right answer for minimalist van lifers who’re desirous to get out on the street with the fewest issues to fret about breaking alongside the way in which!

What to Search for When Selecting the Greatest Campervan Water Heater

How a lot sizzling water do you want? What kind of tank is greatest on your camper van? How typically ought to the heater be serviced? Water heaters have many alternative options, so it may be difficult to find out which one is greatest on your wants.

We now have assessed all of those water heaters primarily based on requirements equivalent to dimension, power use, BTU output, gallons per minute, sort of heater and gasoline supply.

So in the event you haven’t already determined which is best for you, we’ll provide help to perceive the standards for evaluating sizzling water heaters on your campervan.

Well-liked Water Heating Supply Choices in a Campervan

Though a sizzling water heater is essentially the most conventional methodology for bringing sizzling water into your campervan, there are different strategies you possibly can contemplate in the event you’d like to save lots of a couple of {dollars} and the effort and time of set up.

Every methodology has its personal benefits and drawbacks, which we’ll get into right here.

Boiling Chilly Water on the Range

Boiling water is essentially the most easy approach to prepare sizzling water in your van. You possibly can merely fill a kettle or a pot after which use your campervan range, tenting range or campfire to warmth the water.

This methodology is a extra reasonably priced possibility and beneficial if you don’t want important quantities of heat water and wish to keep away from all the effort concerned within the sophisticated set up of campervan water heaters.

Nevertheless, boiling water can be a cumbersome and inefficient heating system inside your van. However in the event you’re on a finances, there are many campers in van life that use this straightforward methodology for water heating.

Photo voltaic Water Heaters

There are many methods to warmth water with photo voltaic power. Heating water by the solar is a way more reasonably priced possibility as these heaters have low up-front prices for supplies, might be put in comparatively simply and don’t require any power prices.

On the opposite facet, photo voltaic water heaters solely carry out higher in sunny areas and do require further rooftop house for set up. As well as, it solely heats within the daytime so you want a well-insulated tank to retailer heated water for nighttime.

You additionally gained’t find yourself with excessive water strain on your bathe head as you’re counting on gravity quite than a water pump to construct water strain.

However that is one other easy and cost-effective approach to get round the fee, set up and house required for extra conventional water heaters.

Measurement of Your Water Heater

If you’re out there for a brand new water heater, at all times hold your personal residing house and desires in thoughts. For instance, as most camper van choices include restricted space for storing, you’ll wish to spend money on a smaller heater that doesn’t take up an extreme quantity of room.

However, you probably have extra space for storing, there’s nothing improper with going larger and higher! Most conventional water heaters may have a built-in tank between 4 and 6 gallons in capability. So you will have to account for the additional house required in your van.

Water heaters with bigger tanks are bulkier and heavier, so this additionally must be thought of when selecting your product. You possibly can bypass a separate tank capability by contemplating a tankless water heater.

Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters

Subsequent, it is advisable to take into consideration whether or not a tankless water heater would work greatest on your camper van. 

A tankless water heater works by heating water straight when it flows by means of them. They’re also called “on-demand heaters” as a result of they immediately present sizzling water proper to your camper van faucet or bathe head.

If you wish to save house in your camper van, then a tankless water heater is your best option for you. They’re additionally higher whenever you need infinite sizzling water. As well as, tankless water heaters are likely to eat much less power as in contrast with tank-style water heaters.

These heaters can final twice so long as a median tank-style water heater. However they’re costlier choices.

However, common tank-style heaters are extra reasonably priced and than a contemporary tankless water heaters. They will usually run on both LP fuel or electrical energy and produce water temperature as much as desired ranges comparatively rapidly.

On the subject of set up, each choices require a good quantity of mechanical and technical potential and we’d suggest that you simply contemplate consulting an expert to help.

Energy Supply 

The way you energy your campervan water heater is one thing to contemplate. Whether or not you plumb propane from both a set or moveable propane tank, use a 110V electrical supply or depend on the solar will decide which campervan water heater might be greatest on your van life-style.

Propane Water Heater

A propane water heater is fueled by LPG saved in tanks or mini cylinders close to your water heater. Propane supplies evenly distributed warmth with excessive power effectivity. However it’s the least in style campervan water heater as a result of reality many vans should not plumbed with propane and carrying a big fuel cylinder takes up fairly a little bit of house.  

As well as, a propane water heater is often costlier than different choices and they could be a little more difficult to put in.

Electrical Water Heaters

Among the best methods to maintain the new water flowing in your van or RV is by utilizing an electrical water heater. Water heated electrically might be heated a lot sooner than if it have been heated with different sources like propane or photo voltaic since electrical energy is a wonderful supply for fast energy.

Electrical heaters are a perfect possibility in the event you can depend on a gradual supply of shore energy. As well as, electrical water heaters are extra reasonably priced and handy than commonplace propane sizzling water heaters.

You’ll not have to fret concerning the additional prices of propane with an electric-only water heater. However you gained’t be capable to rely on utilizing it in the event you get pleasure from boondocking.

Electrical water heaters should not nice choices whenever you continuously discover distant places. Nevertheless, among the greatest water heaters function on fuel and electrical energy provide, supplying you with an possibility to make use of whichever is extra handy.

Vitality Use

Water heaters are often ranked by BTU/hr output, so be sure that to verify this quantity earlier than you make your resolution.

Water heaters which might be utilized in vans and RVs often vary between 20,000 and 60,000 BTU/hr. Any possibility round 41,000 BTU goes to be greater than ample for many functions.

The quantity of energy utilized by a camper van heater additionally relies on how sizzling you need your water, in addition to how typically it operates.

Your van life must be satisfying and handy. In that respect, a camper van water heater is important to have some sizzling water at all times obtainable whenever you want it.

Ease of Set up

The perfect camper van water heater is the one that’s simple to put in and saves your money and time in the long run. If you happen to’re doing your personal van conversion this can be one equipment that you simply determine to rent out for assist with the set up.

Whereas they aren’t terribly sophisticated, relying on the sort of heater you select, the actual fact stays that you could be want to chop open house within the facet of your van earlier than doing the extra easy duties like connecting it to an LPG, electrical and water supply.

A water heater that’s sophisticated to put in could also be an enormous headache, particularly when it comes time for alternative or restore.

There are heaters on the market that don’t require a lot important set up in any respect – they hook proper into your sizzling water system and begin proper up. Moveable water heaters and among the various types, equivalent to photo voltaic heaters, are comparatively fast and simple to DIY.

However you probably have any questions on set up, significantly when working with propane, know that it’s at all times higher and beneficial to rent an expert mechanic to make sure safer set up.

Wrapping Up

Whereas there should not too many choices in relation to including a water heater to your camper van, the selection actually comes all the way down to what type you like. We’re huge followers of the Camplux 1.58 GPM on-demand heater.

Our Decide – Camplux Professional 1.58 GPM Tankless

Compact, light-weight and moveable

41,000 BTUs of sizzling water

Number of mounting choices

It’s sufficiently small to mount in any variety of handy locations and you’ll’t argue with the piping sizzling water that flows out on demand! Hold sufficient water in your tanks to get pleasure from a sizzling bathe indoors or outside and relaxation assured you made one of the best resolution with this camper van water heater!

The Camplex Professional tankless heater is our top-ranked water heater due to its dimension and effectivity. We’ve seen a great deal of campervans that connect this heater to the again inside a part of their van, both to a mounting space or straight on the door.

Join it to your propane tank and water pump and anticipate instantaneous sizzling water for so long as you’ve water within the tank. Plumb the water to your sink or bathe for all of your sizzling water wants.

These are nice choices for each indoor and outside showers and we’re assured you’ll be proud of their efficiency anytime it is advisable to seize a fast, sizzling bathe!

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