Make Your RV Water Heater Work Its Best Using These Tips!
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Travel is an amazing way to undress as the workload has kept us all preoccupied in our lives. It allows one to escape the normal pressures one feels by doing their job and being in a little rut. As a result, many good companies around the world allow employees to take paid vacation leave so they can do better at their jobs and be more productive.
And what could be nicer than traveling with the people you love and enjoy their company. And that happens to be your friends and family. Of course, nothing goes as planned when you travel with these people. And honestly, how fun it is to be planned that way. It is so boring. And all the fun is in making spontaneous plans and driving to places in a motorhome. And since you would be traveling in an RV, you will need an RV water heater that will keep you hot water continuously.
The Importance of the RV Water Heater
As mentioned before, hot water is always a must when you are out and about, and especially in northern, cold areas. Without cold water, you can't enjoy the trip the way you want. RV water heaters come in many versions, including tankless and tank models. In these versions there happen to be even more variants that are categorized according to their size. However, the common size in RVs is 6 gallon tankless water heaters. This post will teach you how to ensure your RV water heater is running efficiently on your trip, saving you money and potential problems on the trip if that fails.
1. Note the cycle of the water heater
Each heater has a different cycle and there is no standard to refer to. However, once you rent the RV, and in most cases, the water heater is in good condition. At this point, let the water heater run to familiarize yourself with the cycle. Also, ask the RV owner to tell you how long it will take to ignite the heater and how long it will take to heat the water to the desired temperature. This would ensure that you are running the heater according to the cycle. If you spot a problem early on in the cycle, you can apply solutions before the heater breaks.
2. Look for spiders
That may seem strange, but it isn't. Spiders are very attracted to these water heaters, so it is important that you look for the spiders beforehand. The presence of spiders in the heater can cause the device to malfunction. This can cost your security deposit that you left with the owner and the fun you should be having now that you run out of hot water to keep yourself warm and freezing cold. The simple solution to this problem is to run a wire through the heater to remove the cobwebs that may have been formed by the spiders in the boiler's boiler.
3. Check for soot
It is extremely important that your water heater is working properly. Therefore, check for soot formation or discoloration. If there is one, it means there may be a problem with the heater. Make the owner aware of this and ask them to correct the problem immediately prior to travel.
4. Run it on propane
Almost all water heaters can run on propane and electricity generated by the vehicle's engine. To ensure that the water heater runs at maximum efficiency, you should run it on propane. Because it takes some time to heat the water with electricity, as this electricity is also used to power the vehicle, so there is only that much left.
5. Be careful with the heating element
This is a mistake some people make more often than they should. There is a heating element in the water heater that cannot be repaired if it burns and must be replaced. Therefore, when draining the water, be sure to turn off the heater to avoid burning heating elements. Because it burns when there is no water in it and it runs.
6. Replace the anode rod every two years
The anode rod is the piece of metal that keeps the heater running and running smoothly. It is therefore strongly recommended that the anode rod be replaced every two or three years depending on the conditions. This usually depends on the quality of the water. If the water quality is good, the anode rod would last longer. However, if you have a bad anode rod, the water heater will use more propane or electricity to run the heater. Make a dent on your pocket.
7. Check for leaks
If you found a leak it is an obvious thing to prompt you to replace or repair the water heater. If the water tank or propane tank is leaking, it means the water heater is not running at its most efficient. It's also a potential safety and hazard problem. So it is highly recommended that you replace the water heater once you find out.
8. Constant flow of water
In order for the water heater to run efficiently, it must be ensured that cold water is constantly fed into the water heater to replace the hot water that has been drained. This would ensure that the heater is running properly.
9. Make it wait before you leave
The bottom line is to ensure that when you rent the RV, you have completed all maintenance checks, including the water heater installed in the vehicle. This gives you security and the best performance through the heating.
10. Do not use a heater that is more than 5 years old
It is a common rule that the water heater should not be more than 5 years old as this box would be a safety hazard and an inefficient machine. It can fail at any point in the trip. So ask for a newer version.
