10 Best RV Tankless Water Heaters in 2023

RV water heaters are the advanced trend of this century. If you are fond of RVing and wish to get through freezing winters warm and cozy, consider investing in an RV Tankless Water Heater.

Why, you may ask? An RV Tankless Water Heater operates using a heat exchanger and warms up water for usage in a quick time. It does not need an attached storage tank because a definitive version usually gives 2-5 gallons of cozy warm water every 60 seconds.

If you are confused about which RV Water Heater to opt for, read below the best electric tankless water heaters list for RV or campers and choose the most suitable one.

What Are the Advantages of Having a RV Tankless Water Heater?

Highly Budget-Friendly Than Conventional Water Heaters

RV Tankless Water Heaters are much more efficient at heating water than other conventional appliances using less electricity hence saving you those bucks at the end of every month.

They Provide Hot Water At Any Time You Need

The most fruitful feature of any tankless water heater is that it can give you unlimited access to warm water at any time of the day you wish to relax in a hot shower, wash dishes in freezing winter, or mop the floors. And all the supply of hot water will be without a storage tank.

RV Tankless Water Heater Uses Energy Efficiently

RV Tankless water heater uses energy much more efficiently than a conventional water heater. Because water that is standing tends to lose heat to the environment, RV fixes this problem.

They Efficiently Distributes Hot Water Around

These water units efficiently distribute water for diverse tasks around the house that need to be performed simultaneously. So if many people need to shower, wash dishes, and do laundry simultaneously, an RV water heater will save the day.

RV Tankless Water Heaters Are High In Durability

While a conventional water heater lasts for only 6 to 10 years, a tankless water heater RV has a good lifespan of 10 to 15 years. If their maintenance is properly done, it may last even two decades.

Tankless Water Heaters Are Great At Conserving Water

Let’s be real. Much water gets wasted when faucets are left open while you allow the right hot water to come through the tap. However, since the tankless water units operate relatively quickly, they only require 2 minutes to get the right temperature water out.

Best RV Tankless Water Heaters for Instant Hot Water

1. The Camplux Pro ME25B Mini Tank Electric Water Heater

The first one on our tankless RV water heaters list is the Camplux Pro ME25B Mini Water Heater. Camplux has always sorted out the outdoor activity life for its users, providing comfort and ease for the camping life. For over a decade, they have made a name in the electric and gas market, manufacturing various appliances, including the tankless RV water heater. The company has always made a mark in providing ease, comfort, and innovation.

Quick Features Run Down

• The Camplux Pro ME25B Mini Tank Water Heater has an alarming storage capacity of 5 gallons of hot water, considering its “mini” in size. You can easily place it right beneath your kitchen sink.
• This model of the water heater by Camplux is ideal for getting instant hot water supply in the kitchen basin, garage, and basements or even on your RV or boat for quick or long journeys.
• It helps conserve water by saving the waiting time you spend for hot water to come out of the tap, losing heat and energy. The heater’s rapid recovery rate further removes the long waiting hours for hot water to come out.
• The mini hot water tank is simple to install and configure. Access your house water line and place your heater under the sink. You do not have to invest in expensive water pumps or pipes.
• The water tank has a glass lining providing complete insulation and making it highly durable.
• The heater features an external dial using which you can manage the required temperature and pressure, ensuring your safety while using the water heater.
• It also has an elegant and eye-catching design that easily blends in with your house theme décor, so it looks good even at a prominent location.
• The dimensions of the Water Heater are 9″ W x 12.9″ H x 11.5″ D, and it weighs approximately 17.6 lbs.

2. The PrecisionTemp RV-550 Tankless Water Heater with Vented Walls

PrecisionTemp RV 550 Tankless Water Heater, which has been a savior in multiple scenarios. It provides on-demand hot water during RV journeys, in small trailers or cabins even in homes. It is also used by companies that provide mobile laundry or washing services.

Quick Features Run Down

• The model can work on all occasions and under all circumstances because of its innovative design. PrecisionTemp manufactured this tankless water heater to ensure that it is easy to carry and can be as portable as possible. It is compact hence you can move around conveniently.
• This model by PrecisionTemp is fairly simple to install compared to its other competitors. Many customers opt for this model simply because of its easy installation, which is rare because, generally, RV water heaters can be fiddly to work with.
• The heater can warm up the required water instantly with the power of about 55,000 BTU.
• It has a flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute which is good enough to help you enjoy a warm shower during freezing winters.
• It is also efficient for saving energy and can auto-adjust according to the weather outside.
• It also has the special feature of operating in low noise.

The unique and innovative features make the PrecisionTemp RV Water Heater ideal. Let’s be real, and there are not many options in the market with so many useful features packaged into one appliance or product.

3. Bosch Thermotechnology US9-2R Tronic 3000 Electric Tankless Water Heater

Bosch Thermotechnology is renowned for providing the best quality water heating solutions. They have a complete range of water heaters catering from full-fledged houses to small trailers powered by electric heating pumps and exclusive temperature controls. The company provides appliances that offer ease and are environmentally safe as well.

Bosch US9-2R Tronic 3000 Electric Tankless Water Heater is ideal for your cozy home and commercial area. You can install it under the sink. It is heavy-duty with a power of 9.5 kW and supplies unlimited hot water for long periods.

Quick Features Run Down

• The design of the Bosch US9-2R Tronic 3000 Electric Tankless Water Heater is light in weight, making it easy to carry around.
• It operates on a 98% thermal efficiency; hence the heat losses are minimum.
• It does not need any pressure relief or temperature valve, making it easy to operate and use further.
• The design of the Bosch US9-2R Tronic 3000 Electric Tankless Water Heater is elegant and modern and can easily adjust with your house décor after it is installed. The construction material is durable plastic giving it a long life span.
• You can enjoy a five-year-long warranty for the copper exchanger component and a 2-year long warranty for the other parts of the unit; hence your money invested is protected.
• The water heater is dimensioned at 6″ x 12.8″ x 2.9″, making it ideal for convenient commercial reasons even in malls, stadiums, or airports.
• You can easily install this at a 360-degree orientation hence can be positioned even beneath counters or kitchen tops.

So ultimately, you will be able to conserve energy and space with this water heater.

4.The EcoSmart ECO 11 RV Electric Tankless Water Heater

The EcoSmart ECO 11 RV Electric Tankless Water Heater has been specifically designed with one core focus: to make RV heaters more efficient and comes with multiple useful and innovative features as listed below:

Quick Features Run Down

• This tankless water heater is highly efficient, allowing you to conserve 60% of your costs on water heating. We recommend this water heater for RV owners who have gone broke paying the overwhelming heating costs simply for a warm shower on a freezing winter night.
• It also conserves space and saves money because you can install it on an empty wall, saving tons of ground space and making it perfect for a small-spaced RV.
• Also, one of the main features of this model is that in terms of energy efficiency, it is 99.8% efficient as it warms up water when you need it.
• You have complete control over the temperature through its digital temperature controller to adjust it according to your liking or need or the temperature outside.
• This water heater is the lightest weight among the rest we have listed, making the installation and maintenance a cake.

5. Eccotemp i12-LP water heater, 4 GPM, Black

Another great name in the list of RV water heaters would be the Eccotemp i12-LP Water Heater Tankless. This product is highly famous for it has everything user-friendly with a great combination of features, all of which come in handy for any user purchasing the water heater.

Quick Features Run Down

• It is user-friendly; firstly, it features a black front panel made of tempered glass, allowing you to use the LED controls conveniently. The controls allow you to have a better grip over the usage and configuration of your RV Tankless Water Heater.
• The temperature controls of Eccotemp i12-LP are automatic and safe since they feature a child lock.
• The heater conserves energy and significantly lowers your expenditure otherwise spent on heating water.
• The heating unit will only switch on when you need the hot water, saving you on your electricity bill.
• It has a flow rate of 3 gallons per minute which is extraordinary for a good pressured shower or water around the house or RV or your trailer.
• The water heater has a straightforward procedure of installation which the user can pretty much do on his own however you can always pay for an expert on this if it seems overwhelming. The unit is budget-friendly, so spending on the expert installation would not be too hard.

All of the characteristics listed above are hard to find in a single package, making Eccotemp i12-LP highly rated by the customers.

6. The Stiebel Eltron RV Tankless Water Heater

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 Plus Tankless Water Heater comes equipped with one-of-a-kind patented German technology of the Advanced Flow Control™ that maintains the temperature of water automatically by smartly analyzing the requirements and needs.

Quick Features Run Down

• • The smart flow control feature can easily identify when the demand for water goes more than the heater’s capacity and decrease the water flow rate so that the hot water supply does not stop.
  • This model, relative to the traditional water heaters, uses 20% less energy hence saving you on the cost of heating water.
  • If one controls hot water usage at home, the energy cost can even further be conserved. Still, the traditional water heaters store the hot water hence losing heat to the environment, but tankless water heaters like Stiebel Eltron only heat the water as required, saving on the standby heat loss.
  • Stiebel Eltron models require no vent and do not store the hot water either, further reducing standby losses. This model is on the list designed to ensure that the hot water supply never runs out even when the capacity has exceeded.

7. Rinnai V53DeP Tankless Water Heaters for RV

V53DeP Water Heater model by Rinnai is another name for ease, efficiency, and speed. It features a propane-powered tankless unit exclusively manufactured by the great Rinnai. It is perfect for small setups at home, offices, and RVs and is relatively simple.

Quick Features Run Down

• It provides unlimited hot water, so say goodbye to scheduling your showers or laundry or washing dishes. You do not have to worry about hot water finishing with Rinnai.
• The water heater gives on-demand warm water, conserving energy and saving son water wastage.
• It is high on efficiency as it keeps on circulating the warm water across your pipes to give you a rapid supply whenever needed.
• It also conserves space with its compact design. It can be installed in small spaces, basements, attics, and RVs. Save Valuable Space. Its size is nothing more than a suitcase.
• This water heater model is budget-friendly even in the initial setup and later on through its efficiency as it uses 40% less energy than the conventional water heater tanks.
• It is friendly to the environment because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• The Rinnai Tankless RV Water Heater has full marks on innovation and quality because it is a product of Rinnai, which take pride in 100 years of reliability.
• Rinnai has the Wi-Fi monitoring option so they can keep track of the working efficiency of your water heater and can handle any problems that may arise.
• The water heater is high on reliability as well as sustainability. Any component can be replaced if it ever becomes faulty instead of changing the entire water heater unit.
• Its lifespan is of a good 20 years or so if maintained properly.

8.Takagi T-H3M-DV-N Tankless Water Heater RV

Takagi water heater is a condensing tankless water heater equipped with a PVC venting system heating the water in the tank. It is ideal for warming water in the shower but can also be perfect for installing radiant flooring systems or other heating equipment in the kitchen or swimming areas.

Quick Features Run Down

• The heater is powered by natural gas and equipped with primary and secondary heat exchangers for efficient heat transfer.
• The basic primary heat exchanger is constructed out of a copper alloy of commercial quality, making it 25% more efficient than the exchanger made out of stainless steel.
• The secondary heat exchanger is constructed out of stainless steel to prevent corrosion.
• It is equipped with a wide range of features such as freeze protection, an air-to-fuel ratio sensor, and an overheat cut-off system.

However, this model has a few drawbacks that cannot be overlooked.

• The heater can be noisy, particularly when the venting system is switched on.
• You also require switching on your faucet to full to get the desired temperature water, so water conservation is not something you will get with this model of Takagi.
• Lastly, installing the water heater unit is not easy for anyone and requires technical expertise.

9. Marey GA10LP Power 10L 3.1 GPM Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater

If you are searching for an RV tankless water heater that is durable, reliable, and efficient, you should opt for Marey Tankless Water Heater powered by propane. It is also fairly easy to install and will give you the best quality results no matter what the temperature is outside.

Quick Features Run Down

• The Marey Propane Gas Tankless Water Heater is resistant to rust hence high on durability. The construction material is rustproof; hence the water heater will not rust. Even if you see any corrosion in the early years of use, Marey offers a generous 5-year exclusive warranty when you buy the water heater.
• It is compact and light in weight and specially manufactured, keeping your ease in perspective. Talking about ease, it is also one of the easiest on the list to install, and you do not need to spend extra bucks on a technical expert.
• Since it is compact, it conserves space and is ideal for your small RV
• In addition to being compact and durable, the water heater is highly efficient too, with its most useful feature of conserving 60% of your electricity bill. It provides unlimited access to hot water and only when you require it.
• This Marey Tankless Water Heater also is budget-friendly because it does not need electric power and is powered by propane gas instead, which is convenient in areas that do not have electric grids.

In a nutshell, this water heater is ideal for anyone who drives an RV and wishes to save up on the costs of having the luxury of hot showers in freezing winters.

10. Camplux Pro 1.58 GPM Tankless Propane Water Heater

Bosch Camplux Pro 1.58 GPM tankless propane water heater  is designed for your RV, small cabins, or outdoor activities. It claims that you would never have to wait for a second more for hot water ever with their heater. Since the heater is powered by propane while the ignition is through the 2 D cell batteries, this model is ideal for locations where electricity grids are absent, making your RV journey more comfortable.

Quick Features Run Down

• The Camplux Pro 1.58 GPM Tankless Water Heater is perfect for your life on the road, camping, or even for short stays in mountainous terrains where you require a constant supply of enjoyable hot water.
• It is equipped with the Sensor Protection for Oxygen Depletiand hence can easily be placed on the walls of your RV or cabin where ventilation is accessible.
• The water heater’s ignition is through the 2 D cell batteries; hence, you do not require electricity to save up your electricity costs.
• The heater has a perfect low-pressure range of 3.0～110.0 PSI, providing high performance.
• It conserves energy and hence is highly efficient.
• It is also relatively easy to install, and you do not require any technical assistance if you can manage it on your own.

 

What Are The Different Types Of RV Tankless Water Heaters?

There are different water heaters, but you need proper research when choosing the best RV water heater, which we already did for you. Let’s check them out according to their heating sources as listed below:

Electric Tankless Water Heater For RV

The electric-powered tankless RV water heater and being budget-friendly is also good for the environment. They are simple to install and can even be powered using a solar panel, making them completely efficient and saving on carbon emissions to the environment.

The RV Gas Tankless Water Heater

The RV gas tankless water heater harnesses either kerosene or propane gas power. It has built-in vents to safely release exhaust gases into the environment; however, it emits carbon monoxide. Furthermore, it is less efficient than the electric tankless heater and cheaper.

The Non-Condensing RV Tankless Water Heater

The Non-Condensing RV tankless water heater type is the one that harnesses the power from a connected heat exchanger to warm up the water to be used. It is durable, while the vent made out of stainless steel releases the exhaust gases. It uses energy efficiently and is ideal for those who use a lot of hot water.

The Condensing RV Tankless Water Heater

The condensing RV tankless water heater is the last type of water heater on the list that uses a secondary heat exchanger that reutilizes the heat from the exhaust gases to reheat the next batch of water. Hence it’s high on inexpensive, and it may not be one of the most efficient choices among the rest.

Thing To Consider Before Buying An RV Tankless Water Heater

The following are the key features you should keep in perspective while investing in an RV tankless water heater.

Consider the Size And Need

Before going to the store to get your RV Tankless Water Heater, conduct a quick analysis of your day-to-day water consumption. This will help you select a suitable size for your home or personal use. Following are some of the average estimates:

• Shower Ares: 1.5 – 3 gallons/ 60 seconds
• Toilet: 2 gallons/ 60 seconds
• Bathtub: 4.5 gallons/ 60 seconds.
• Kitchen sink: 1.5 gallons/ 60 seconds rate of water flow

The Rate of Water Flow essentially means the amount of hot water released by the tankless water heater every minute. Commonly the heater is used in the shower, and any good RV water heater should be able to cater to a family by providing 2 gallons of hot water every minute for comfort.

BTU Or The Heating Capacity

The heating capacity is measured in the British Thermal Unit (BTU) and measures the capacity of a tankless water heater. If this is a higher value, it simply means that the electric heater is more efficient. It also denotes that a heater can warm up water much faster using every unit.

Always Consider The Source Of Power

The RV Tankless Water heater can harness power from electricity, propane gas, or natural gas; hence, you must look at what source your chosen RV Water Heater uses. It can have either a single power source or more than one. Just remember that the gas heater ones need to be frequently maintained and are relatively not budget-friendly.

See The Availability Of Space You Have

Space is one of the core features you should consider before selecting a water heater for yourself or your family. You must ensure that the kind of RV Tankless Water Heater you have selected can fit in the space you have available in your home, trailer, or condo. Get to know the exact dimensions of the heater and the space area to have a better idea.

Pro-Tip: Also, check the weight of your selected RV water heater because lightweight water heaters will make your life easier if you move frequently!

Take Care Of All The Precautions

Every best RV tankless water heater must be installed with certain precautions. Firstly, a system that helps fight potential voltage spikes and shortages. There must also be working precautions for bad weather or rough roads, especially if you move a lot.

Some Quick Tips for using RV Tankless Water Heaters

You may benefit from some of these pro tips that you should act on for a smooth experience with an RV tankless water heater:

• You must get good quality stainless steel for efficient venting if you decide to settle for any propane-powered RV tankless water heating. This may be heavy on your budget but good for the environment. It would be best to get these heaters serviced at least once every year.
• The conventional home water heaters are much larger than the RV Tankless water heaters, so manage your time in the shower with the latter ones. Keep saving the water between the breaks in the shower for conservation purposes.
• Remember to empty the water tank before storing your RV for a long time. And frequently winterize these to save the pipes from cracks during extreme winters.
• Each time you get your RV out after long periods of storage, switch off any bypass valve and fill your tank before your journey because if you heat up while it is empty, your water heater can get severely damaged.
• The water usually causes the rod to corrode rather than the tank itself, so get an anode rod. It is affordable and increases your tankless water heater’s life by many years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you convert any RV Water Heaters to Tankless RV Water heaters?

If you plan to convert your Basic RV water heater to a tankless RV water heater, then you need to consider multiple steps in your planning stage. You must be sure that you have selected the right tankless water heater and have all the necessary tools in your hand.

Furthermore, you must remember that it will not be an inexpensive process. You need a good budget both for the initial setup and the installation. It is only prudent to keep everything in perspective before jumping on the bandwagon of converting your RV water heater into a tankless one.

This may sound like you are wasting your time, but there are multiple perks to investing in an RV tankless water heater. Some of which are:

• It will save you tons on your budget by significantly decreasing your heating expenditure.
• This will also occupy much less space. The tankless products have a much larger lifespan than the tank parts installed separately. And the process of converting requires both initial and installment investment and a lot of planning.

If you decide on going tankless with your water heater, you have to consider the conversion. If you do, it is only wise to spend those extra bucks on a company’s professional installation and then do it yourself.

Because in reality, there is absolutely no way you can ruin your water heater installation process because it is a core part of a comfortable RV life. So think before deciding.

How Can One Remove An RV Water Heater?

You must keep in mind that many of the RV water heaters would require to be removed after some years of their usage. Once they have been used for a good period during winters, the tanks are at risk of bursting, or their water heater can get damaged.

Whatever the case is, it will still need to be removed and renewed from time to time, and this requires you to follow the steps listed below:

Find the Access Points on your RV Tankless Water Heater from the outside.

Usually, the access points on a water heater would be towards the backside of an RV, but this can vary, so you must find the respective access points on your RV.

Switch Off the water heater and see nothing is flowing into it.

Next, you must switch off the water connection and your gas power source and stay away from flammable things.

Find the rear access of your water heater this time from inside the RV

The water heater’s rear access is conventionally present beneath the sink in the kitchen.

Untighten the screws in the Water Heater’s rear access

Use a screwdriver to unscrew the screws right beneath the cover of the tankless water heater rear access. Do not use a drill machine.

Detach the intake of propane gas

Now you should go to the access points of your water heater from outside and detach the propane gas intake. You can recognize this through the copper tube connected with the entry point. Be cautious. This tube is prone to bending.

Detach the Screws of the door on the water heater to remove it

Remove the screws holding the water heater’s door in place. This removal of the door will allow you to comfortably work on the inside water connections because you would be able to see the inside.

Detach the Intake and Outtake Hoses for the water

You can easily detach the hoses through the rear access points. When you find the hoses, turn them using your hands and keep a towel to shift between the connections. Then let all the water out of the unit.

Detach the water heater from your RV’s exterior

By this step, your propane and water connections should be removed. You need to release the water heater from its access point on the RV’s exterior. Just pull it out.

Although this process is fairly simple, if you are feeling overwhelmed, you can always take help from a professional.

How can I light my RV Tankless Water Heater Pilot?

It is not, in fact, difficult to light the pilot of an RV tankless water heater, but you must do it with complete precautions, especially if you are using natural gas or propane gas as the power source. You cannot afford to mishandle them.

Take a look at your RV water heater’s instruction guide to light the pilot because general instructions will not work here as models differ greatly.

How can I keep up with The Maintenance Of My RV Water Heater?

The RV water heaters are simple to maintain, particularly the tankless ones because they have a detailed instruction guide for maintenance and clean-up. However, the tank-attached water heaters may require you to make the extra effort.

The main thing you need to focus on is the anode rod placed in the water heater to prevent rusting and corroding; however, if this rod gets damaged, your water heater is likely to get damaged too. These rods should be ideally changed after a year or must be inspected frequently, at least for a potential replacement.

Then comes the process of tank flushing. If you are not in an RV, then the rank should be drained because many people forget this job.

These are the two main things you should worry about when it comes to maintaining your RV water heater. Apart from that, read your instruction guide to know if there are any particular maintenance rituals that your RV Water Heater model requires.

Can A RV Tankless Water Heater Be Installed Under The Sink Of The RV?

It can be, but you still need to check your manual for your water heater’s model to see if it can be installed under the sink in the tankless version.

Do I Need Electricity To Operate My RV Tankless Water Heater?

Certain brands that manufacture RV water heaters harness energy from electricity. However, others can be powered by propane or natural gas.

How Is A Condensing RV Water Heater Different From A Non-Condensing One?

A condensing tankless RV water heater recycles the heat energy vented out of the exhaust to heat the next batch of water. Frequent uses are not ideal because they are less energy efficient. But since they use PVC venting systems, they are highly budget-friendly.

On the other hand, a non-condensing tankless RV water heater uses a heat exchanger to warm the water to be used. They are high on reliability and have relatively long life spans. But since they use high-quality stainless steel for their vents, they can be heavy on the pocket or seem overpriced.

Can a Tankless RV Water Heater Be Installed At Any Place On The RV?

If you have chosen a small, low-weight tankless heater, it can easily be installed even on dry walls with anchors but remember to secure it tightly in place with good components. You cannot risk the installed water heater falling off the wall when the terrain is rough during journeys.

Does A RV Tankless Water Heater Require A Water Pump?

Well, this depends on the type of RV you own. A full-fledged large motor home usually has an installed water pump, so you do not need to invest in it separately while purchasing your tankless water heater.

However, if you own a pop-up camper or a small RV, you must buy and install a water pump to use the water heaters at the correct flow rate.

The company also sends an additional pump specifically designed to pump water from their water heater model. It is included in the package. However, with many other models, you need to get a 12 V water pump separately from your RV water heater; otherwise, the required water pressure may not build up.

What Price Range Do RV Tankless Water Heaters Fall In?

Low on budget? Cannot afford high-end brands? Then you need not worry because tankless RV water heaters come in various price ranges starting from even less than $200. These inexpensive models may have less fancy characteristics than the expensive ones but get the job done efficiently.

Then comes the RV water heaters that fall in between the price range of $200-$500, and these include some of the best ones in the lot. You would get efficiency along with a chance to save your budget.

Lastly, the high-end models cost over $500, including the premium units. Many of the best ones even cost $1000 or above.

Conclusion

Initially, it may appear just another unnecessary appliance in trend; however, if you know the pain of running out of hot water on your family road trip in an RV that frequently showers and wash dishes, then a Tankless Water Heater would be your lifesaver.

In addition to being super convenient, the RV water heater supplies hot water right when needed and saves energy while occupying as minimum space as possible. However, the most suitable version of a tankless water heater can only be determined according to your family size, the type of RV you own, and day-to-day usage.

It becomes further budget-friendly when you select a gas or propane RV water heater because you can use the already present gas lines as your power source. However, beware that even natural gas is a growing issue in many areas, so make sure that a natural gas pipeline exists in areas where you host your RV.

Keeping your usage, family size, and type of RV in perspective, we are hopeful that the best one for your needs is present in the list we have compiled above. Good Luck! Whatever your preferred power source and flow rate, the chances are that the best tankless water heater for your RV is somewhere on this list.