RVing is a great way to see more of the world.
If you are not on the road every day, alternative heating methods are the way to go in times of high energy costs.
The best tankless water heaters for RV's are heating up the industry and allowing RV owners to enjoy lower gas or electric costs along with clean and safe water for cooking and showering.
Tankless Water Heaters for RV's can cost 3 times as much as a traditional model but can cut your utility costs in half and save you time.
Below are the best tankless water heaters for RV's including the Lp Gas Conversion Kit and installation for the EcoSmart models, and a comparison of the EcoSmart, EccoTemp, and King technology.
Make sure to compare ECO-SMART VS ECCOTEMP VS KING TECHNOLOGY as each tankless water heater for RV's uses a different type of technology.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Atwood New RV 6 Gallon Gas/Electric GC6AA-10E Water Heater DSI | Best Overall |  |
| Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater | Budget Pick |  |
| Girard 2GWHAM On-Demand Tankless Water Heater | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Atwood New RV 6 Gallon Gas/Electric GC6AA-10E Water Heater DSI
2. Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Heats up quickly
- Easy to install
- Comes with detailed instructions
- Good warranty
Cons:
- Installation is not for the DIY-types
- Too small for larger families
The Camplux 5L is a sturdy and reliable propane water heater. It is an ideal solution for the RV industry, as it can also be used as a portable or outdoor burner.
The tankless water heater can heat water efficiently and quickly. The device doesn’t need any storage of water, unlike tank units. Since the device heats up the water as soon as it’s needed, it also works well for large families. One of the other benefits of the tankless propane heater is that it costs less than tank-heaters.
This device is easy to use and install. It has a small tank size and weighs only 5½ lbs. The heat exchanger is made of stainless steel. It has an octopus burner and features 24000 BTU/hr output and is able to heat about 1.5 liters per minute. It can heat water up to a temperature of 104°F.
3. New Suburban Sw6De 6 Gallon Dsi Electric Ignition/Lp Lp And Gas Rv Motorhome Trailer Water Heater
Pros:
- The best option for at-home use
- Built for a long lifespan
If you don’t want to have to deal with a large tank, you can always opt for an electric tankless water heater. This unit from Suburban will help you do just that, but with a carbon monoxide detector, a T and a max temperature of 240 degrees, it’ll make sure you never get scalded or burnt by the hot water. The unit even has an “instantaneous” setting, so you can have hot water on the spot, immediately.
The heat elements in this unit can remain active for up to 10 minutes after you turn it off to help you save on your total energy costs. You also have the option to use this water heater for both RV electric and propane applications. Even better, the water heater only takes about 15 minutes to install, so you can make it an aspect of your home improvement project.
4. Girard 2GWHAM On-Demand Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Highest Energy Efficiency on the Market
- Very Compact (will fit just about anywhere)
- Very Durable Materials (solid copper construction)
- Price
Cons:
- Cage surrounding unit – risks damage during shipping
- Cold water production – if you're used to pressurized water this will be an adjustment
- Relatively short warranty
The Girard 2GWHAM is a phenomenal choice for anyone who needs a high-quality tankless water heater but doesn’t have a lot of space available for it. It’s one of the most compact tankless water heaters on the market and at just 3 – 5 pounds it will fit nearly anywhere. If you’re living in a tiny home or RV it’s easy to forget that these types of water heaters exist because you can hide them out of sight in a cabinet or behind a wall in a crawlspace.
5. EZ 202 Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Portable
- Easy to install
- Safe to use
Cons:
- Small 4 GPM capacity
- Lack of power
Thanks to its advanced technology and superior design, the EZ 202 tankless water heater ticks all the right boxes and is one of the best bottled gas water heaters on the market today.
It’s incredibly portable, and yet powerful – all you need is a gas bottle to power the heater. In addition, the heater doesn’t require any venting for installation because it works using convection technology. Whether you’re camping, hunting, or fishing, this heater is the perfect addition to your outdoor adventures.
What’s more, the EZ 202 boasts an impressive 2.8 GPM – making it one of the most powerful tankless water heaters on the market. A digital temperature display makes it easier to control and operate the heater.
6. Atwood Mobile Products 96110 Pilot Ignition Water Heater
Pros:
- Reliable, inexpensive, efficient
- Great for use with the Atwood Mobile Products water heater remote kits
- Easy setup, reliable ignition
- Wide temperature range, great 24 volt water heater
Cons:
- Complicated set up for newbies
- Uses fuel — a potential hazard
- Does not shut off automatically
The Atwood Mobile Products Pilot Ignition Water Heater has been on the market for a while, and it has proven to be a high-quality, reliable option for RV enthusiasts.
It is great for use with the Atwood Mobile Products water heater remote kits, and it offers simple setup. It can ignite on its own from up to 6 feet away, and it is good for temperatures from 30 to 110 degrees. It features a wide temperature range and some really helpful features like a pilot light indicator, weight indicator, water mixing tube, and leak detector tube.
First-time users of this water heater will likely run into some problems at first. If you’re going to use this water heater, you need to make sure you have some experience with RV maintenance. You will also need to check out the video reviews to ensure that you do everything correctly.
7. Eccotemp L10 2.6 GPM Portable Tankless Water Heater
Pros:
- Can save up to 25% on your energy bill
- Portable
- Extremely lightweight and compact
- Double Insulation prevents heat loss
Cons:
- May take a while to heat up
- Smaller water flow than some other models
An RV tankless water heater reportedly saves you 10 to 15 percent on your monthly energy bill, which can be significant if you’re away from home for long stretches. Tankless water heaters are also popular in cabins, beach houses, hotel rooms, and condos, particularly if you’re one to have long showers.
What’s best about this unit is that it is so light and compact that it practically fits into any luggage when you’re traveling.
Using a propane tank, this water heater heats water and is easy to install and use. It also comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best tankless water heater for an RV?
A tankless water heater is far more energy efficient than a traditional tank water heater. So they can save you a lot of money over time and can provide instant hot water for multiple fixtures at once. This is truly a life changing appliance if you are living in a camper or small home with old fixtures.
A real challenge with tankless models is the installation. You'll quickly see that there are many different variations and even the required adapters are different between models. Not to mention that you'll likely have to use a tankless model that has a longer outlet pipe for the hot water to reach your shower or sink. This can be a challenge if you are installing your unit on the roof of your house, as you may need to run metal piping down the side of your house.
Can you use a tankless water heater in an RV?
Yes and no. It’s actually a bit more complicated than that. Final answer: yes, but only if the RV you own uses a natural gas or propane tank for the fuel. If you have a diesel motorhome, then you likely do not have an onboard natural gas or propane tank.
This is because natural gas, propane, and diesel motors don’t mix. The difference in engine design creates too much friction to combust properly. For people with a diesel motorhome, you will need to purchase to camper with a natural gas or propane tank.
What is the downside of a tankless water heater?
While tankless water heaters do give you endless water hot water for your RV, you do have to take some minor drawbacks into consideration.
The first, and most apparent, is price. They cost about twice as much as an equivalent tanked water heater. However, when you consider the added value of the endless hot water, it is often thought the tankless water heaters are worth the extra cost.
Another drawback of tankless water heaters is slightly decreased water pressure. This is a common side-effect of the “stream” type of tankless water heaters.
Lastly, tankless water heaters don’t last forever. If you are working in an area where the water is exceptionally hard or there is a lot of sediment present then it will shorten the lifespan of your water heater.
How much is a tankless water heater for an RV?
Tankless water heaters are typically put in as part of your new RV unit or they can be added on later.
When adding a tankless water heater onto a new RV, the cost is dependent upon how integrated the unit is with your overall water system. If you are adding one onto an RV that's already built, there's a little more work involved than if the system and the heater are already a part of the RV design.
To install a new system, you will likely have to hire a professional to install and connect the tankless heater to the water system. If you are an experienced do-it-yourselfer with some knowledge of water heaters, you should give it a shot; the process isn't terribly difficult. However, you can expect the installation to take anywhere from a few hours, to a few days or even a few weeks.
Conclusion
Plenty of different brands are looking to gain an edge in the industry by introducing interesting new tankless water heaters. For instance, new models now offer more features, higher output, lower cost, and lower power consumption. For this reason, we believe the list of top tankless water heaters for RV's will only continue to grow. We hope this article helps you to pick the best unit for your RV that will provide you with hot water for a long time.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Atwood New RV 6 Gallon Gas/Electric GC6AA-10E Water Heater DSI | Best Overall | |
| Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Outdoor Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater | Budget Pick | |
| Girard 2GWHAM On-Demand Tankless Water Heater | Upgrade Pick | |