How Do Motorhome Hot Water Systems Work

Here is the guide to keeping your hot water flowing


How Do Motorhome Hot Water Systems Work

Hot water is one of the big luxuries of travelling in a self-contained vehicle. Jumping in a hot shower after a long day exploring? There is nothing better. 

However, hot showers in an RV aren’t as simple as turning on a tap in the shower at home. Knowing the ins and outs of your motorhome hot water system will make the process simple, and means you won’t be caught out braving an icy cold shower on a chilly morning. To help, we have put together this guide to the different kinds of RV water heaters, how to use them and more. Let’s dive in! 

 

The benefits of having an RV hot water system

 

Whether it's a hot cup of tea or coffee while you’re out on the road or a toasty warm shower, there are plenty of benefits to having an RV hot water system, including:

 

  • Hot showers on the go
  • Easy washing of greasy dishes
  • Boiling water without the kettle

 

An RV hot water system also means you don’t need to rely on staying at a campsite. While you may want to opt to set up at a caravan park, having an RV hot water system means that you can get into nature and off the grid without sacrificing the luxury of warm water. 

 

How to get hot water in an RV

 

The process of heating water in your RV is not too dissimilar to heating water at home, just on a much smaller scale! In most cases, your RV will have some form of hot water heater that’s connected to a freshwater tank. This tank is connected to your RV water plumbing system. The mechanics of this will vary depending on the type of water heater installed. 

 

What is the best water heater for a motorhome?

 

LPG Gas Bottle

The best water heater for a motorhome will depend on the type of motorhome you have and how you intend to use it. There are three common types of water heaters: RV diesel hot water heater, RV instant hot water heater, and an RV gas hot water heater. However, it is important to note that regardless of which you choose, most of these hot water heaters will require a little bit of juice from your motorhome power system to operate switches that will heat the water. 

 

RV diesel hot water heater

One of the most popular choices for hot water systems is a diesel hot water heater for RVs. Diesel heaters are known to provide more consistent heat and can also double up as air heaters.

These heaters are ideal for anyone looking to travel in their RV during cold conditions, as they tend to be more reliable in cooler weather. Colder conditions can lower the internal pressure of the LPG tank by causing the volume of liquid in the LPG to shrink. Simply - if temperatures drop below 2°C, LPG can lose pressure and may not work as well. 

 

RV instant hot water heater

Sometimes known as an RV electric hot water heater, living water heater, or an RV tankless water heater - these instant hot water heaters don’t require a tank and often sit on the wall inside your motorhome. Instant hot water systems usually work by water passing through a mechanism like a copper pipe heated from an electric element or gas heat exchanger. This way, the water is immediately heated as it passes through the coil, directly to the water outlet.

Instant hot water heaters will most likely be powered from your 240v power supply making them ideal for motorhomes that are permanently parked up on mains power. 

 

RV gas hot water heater

One of the most common RV water heaters is an LPG/gas system and this is what is most commonly available in KEA motorhomes. Most gas systems operate from a standard 9kg LPG tank that you can get filled through a swap-and-go service. Some gas hot water heating systems also have the option to operate from your 240v power supply. This allows you to save gas (and money) when connected to mains power. 

 

How to operate an RV gas hot water heater

 

As most RVs use an LPG gas hot water heater,  we have created a step-by-step guide of how to get hot water with your gas hot water heater:

 

Step 1: Turn on your gas

Head to the LPG gas storage box located on the side of the motorhome. Turn the gas on at the gas bottle by turning the valve dial anti-clockwise. 

 

Step 2: Find the switches

Once you’re back inside, locate the heater switch. The control panels for these are usually easy to find. The main switch is most likely to be a single large panel with the words ‘water heater’ at the top with an ‘on’ switch underneath and a red light adjacent to that. The other controls you will need to locate is a dark grey rectangular panel with a number of switches, one of which will be for the LPG, and the others will usually operate the vehicle’s interior lights.

 

Step 3: Turn all switches and systems on

To get hot water, check that the water pump switch is on and that there is water in the tank. You can check the exact levels via the water tank display monitor. This display should be wall-mounted near the switches. Flick the white switch to ‘on’ and wait for the red light next to it to go out - this indicates that the gas has ignited and is heating the water in the tank. 

This can take up to 20 minutes, so be sure you do this in advance of when you might need it. For example, putting it on as you wake up, so you can enjoy a shower later that morning, or turning it on while you cook so that you can wash dishes when you are finished. 

 

Step 4: Check you have hot water

After you have waited for a minimum of 20 minutes for the water to heat, check that the light next to the hot water switch has turned off (or in some cases dimmed). If the red light next to the hot water switch comes back on, this indicates ignition has failed. 

RV hot water heater troubleshooting 

If the ignition has failed, turn the water heater switch off and find the LPG gas bottle in your motorhome. Check the connections are secure and that the bottle is open. Then try the water heater switch again.

 

Step 5: Check the temperature and enjoy

If all systems are a go, you should then be able to use the hot water for your showering, and dish-washing pleasure! Just be aware that water temperatures can get quite hot. Avoid the possible risk of scalding from the hot water by testing the water first. This is especially important to do before letting children shower. 

 

Step 6: Turn off the gas

Once you have finished, ensure that you securely turn the gas bottle clockwise to the ‘off’ position before driving.

 

How to fill a hot water heater in RV

 

Just like your hot water system at home, a motorhome hot water system will automatically be filled up with water from your fresh water tank. As such, if you plan to use the hot water, you need to make sure your fresh water tank is adequately full. 

For more information on filling your water tanks, read our guide on putting water in your RV

 

How to drain a hot water tank in an RV

 

water tank

Regular cleaning of your motorhome tanks is an important part of looking after your motorhome. As part of your routine tank maintenance, you should drain your hot water tank at least once a year. You should also drain your hot water tank before storing it for a long period of time. Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to drain your RV hot water heater tanks. 

 

Step 1: Turn your hot water off

Before draining your hot water tank, it’s essential that your water heater and water pump are all turned off. These are located on the main control panel. 

 

Step 2: Run the hot water

Run your RV’s hot water inside until it runs cold. 

 

Step 3: Empty the tank

Head outside and release the pressure valve/RV hot water heater drain plug on your specific water heater. Because you’ve run your internal hot water already, the water that drains out shouldn’t be dangerously hot - but be careful just in case. 

And there you have it - easy as one, two, three!

 

Causes of low hot water pressure in an RV

 

Low water pressure could be caused by a range of problems, most likely not to do with the actual RV hot water heater itself. Reasons for low water pressure could include: 

 

  • The campground has inadequate water pressure
  • A hose line is bent or blocked
  • A water filter is dodgy or clogged 

 

If you troubleshoot these issues and are unable to solve the pressure issue, it can be helpful to talk to a motorhome professional. Chat to the KEA team in-store or online, and they will be more than happy to lend their experience to problem solve the pressure issue. 

 

Time to hit the road in a self-contained RV?

 

There’s nothing like a hot cuppa or shower after a day of exploring. Understanding how your RV hot water system will ensure you never have to miss out. If you are looking for more information on hot water system modifications and refurbishments, speak to the KEA team in the office or online today. 


Ready to hit the road with your very own RV hot water system? We have a wide range of RVs for sale to suit your off-grid hot water needs. Visit KEA and check out our range of RVs today