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Old 11-28-2022, 02:44 PM   #1
Cougar33
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Hot Water Question

Can anyone give me pros and cons on using both electric heat and gas heat on the water heater at the same time for increasing available hot water. I never have done it that way but it was suggested to me in a conversation recently and I'm not comfortable with the idea.
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Old 11-28-2022, 03:04 PM   #2
chuckster57
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I have used both for the past 20 years. It allows for a faster recovery and yes it will help the water stay warmer if your taking long showers. You only get 6 gallons as the norm, and using both will heat it faster.

Remember to turn OFF the electric if you drain/winterize the tank.
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Old 11-28-2022, 03:04 PM   #3
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Do it. It was designed to operate that way and increases the hot water recovery considerably. In the olden days I had to always do a "navy" shower when we had only one source of heat. With the dual units (LP/elec) I was able to take a normal shower without the "dance" of trying to save the hot water. Now that I have a 12gal. I only run electric generally and don't need the additional recovery from using both heat sources.

If you aren't comfortable with the idea you might articulate your concerns; it will be OK but someone will be able to address them I'm sure.
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Old 11-28-2022, 03:31 PM   #4
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It is absolutely safe and is considered ‘THE’ way to go in RV circles.
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Old 11-28-2022, 04:17 PM   #5
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We camp in the southern part of Texas and usually in pretty warm weather. We have a 30A camper and I hardly ever turn on the electric as the water in the tank via propane is more than sufficient for dish washing and showers, etc. I generally take showers in the Am and the missus in the PM. When the weather gets cooler we will run both propane and gad electric heating. I do this because I am not in the RV circles but in the RV squares. More than one way to do most anything.
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Old 11-28-2022, 04:26 PM   #6
NH_Bulldog
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We use both gas and electric at the same time. It improves recovery time and/or prolongs your hot water supply while in the shower. With our Oxygenics shower head we have found we can take showers comfortably without ever running out of hot water
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Old 11-28-2022, 05:09 PM   #7
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It is perfectly OK to run your water heater on both electric and gas at the same time. As stated above by several others, the recovery time is faster.

If your camper is a 30 amp camper, then running your water heater on propane only will free up some of that 30 amp availability for something else. However, if you are on a campsite where the electricity is paid in the cost of the campsite rental, then you'll want to run the heater on electric as you've already paid for the electricity. Why pay for propane when you've already paid for electricity? So, if you have a 30 amp camper, you have to decide which is the better way to go: gas on and save the electric amps for something else, or run on electric and save some money on propane.

However, if you have a 50 amp camper, then running on electric is generally not a problem at all. So the difference is, is the electricity paid with the camp site or do you pay separate for electricity? If you pay separate, then you'll need to figure out which is cheaper to run, gas or electric.

These are the variables for running on gas, electric, or both. But as far as doing any damage to your water heater... the answer is ... absolutely no damage occurs if you run both at the same time. They ARE designed to operate this way. The variables are how you use your electricity and how you pay for it.
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Old 11-28-2022, 05:21 PM   #8
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Water heat gas or electric

Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchmensport View Post
It is perfectly OK to run your water heater on both electric and gas at the same time. As stated above by several others, the recovery time is faster.

If your camper is a 30 amp camper, then running your water heater on propane only will free up some of that 30 amp availability for something else. However, if you are on a campsite where the electricity is paid in the cost of the campsite rental, then you'll want to run the heater on electric as you've already paid for the electricity. Why pay for propane when you've already paid for electricity? So, if you have a 30 amp camper, you have to decide which is the better way to go: gas on and save the electric amps for something else, or run on electric and save some money on propane.

However, if you have a 50 amp camper, then running on electric is generally not a problem at all. So the difference is, is the electricity paid with the camp site or do you pay separate for electricity? If you pay separate, then you'll need to figure out which is cheaper to run, gas or electric.

These are the variables for running on gas, electric, or both. But as far as doing any damage to your water heater... the answer is ... absolutely no damage occurs if you run both at the same time. They ARE designed to operate this way. The variables are how you use your electricity and how you pay for it.
I installed a 12 gallon electric water heater in the closet of our 3650RL where there were connections for a washer and drier which we do not have because our so called "on demand" water heater had one too many issues on dependability. We have plenty of hot water to take full time on showers without trimming back on the water and can take back to back showers and not run out of hot water. Another plus is that we do not use ANY propane. But then again, installing UPGRADES like this might be called a "hack job" by some.
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Old 11-29-2022, 06:19 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpine Custom Upgrade View Post
I installed a 12 gallon electric water heater in the closet of our 3650RL where there were connections for a washer and drier which we do not have because our so called "on demand" water heater had one too many issues on dependability. We have plenty of hot water to take full time on showers without trimming back on the water and can take back to back showers and not run out of hot water. Another plus is that we do not use ANY propane. But then again, installing UPGRADES like this might be called a "hack job" by some.
Well . it is what it is.. if the RV is never gonna be sold the its yours to do as you see fit.. I personally will not buy an RV that has mods like this..

But it gives you HW that you folks want.. Personally our Sw12DEL running on electric mode does just fine.. and I have propane mode to back it up with if needed.. Have not in 9 years..

The OEM IW60RL on demand water heater is.. a piece of junk so I can see why you wanted something more reliable
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Old 12-01-2022, 04:35 AM   #10
notanlines
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I'll agree that the 'on-demand' water heaters seem to cause way more trouble than they cure. I believe the 12 gallon electric was a good choice to replace the trash that came in the RV.
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Old 12-04-2022, 08:46 AM   #11
Mike71954
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cougar33 View Post
Can anyone give me pros and cons on using both electric heat and gas heat on the water heater at the same time for increasing available hot water. I never have done it that way but it was suggested to me in a conversation recently and I'm not comfortable with the idea.
I do it but only switch on the propane when I need it for a quick heat up - it works fine for me
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Old 12-04-2022, 10:49 AM   #12
bustersdaddy
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I have done it when the need for extra hot water occurs. The only issue was added expense for propane.
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