Choosing Between a Point-of-Use and Tankless Water Heater

You don’t always realize how important hot water is in your daily life until you run out. You shouldn’t have to suffer through cold showers when you’re just trying to enjoy your vacation. If it’s time to choose a new hot water heater for your RV, we can help you wade through all your options and find the system that works best for you and your lifestyle.

Point-of-Use Water Heater vs. Tankless Water Heater

When choosing a water heater for your RV, you have plenty of options. Tank vs. tankless. Central vs. point-of-use. Propane vs. electricity vs. heat from the engine.

Today, though, we’re discussing the differences between two particular types of water heaters: small-tank point-of-use systems, like these from GE Appliances (GEA), and electric tankless systems, like this one from GEA as well. There are pros and cons to each unit, and which one you choose for your RV depends on a number of factors.

What is a point-of-use water heater?

A point-of-use water heater is one that is installed at the location it’s needed — under your sink or beside your shower. Generally speaking, these systems are small tanks that give you hot water right where you need it when you need it. Like with any other tanked system, point-of-use water heaters use electricity to keep several gallons of water hot at all times.

Unlike central water heaters, which take longer to heat up because they have farther to go, point-of-use water heaters are typically multiple, smaller units that help eliminate warm-up time by providing a shorter distance for the water to travel. These systems require a unit installed at each fixture, which can mean losing space in under-sink cabinets.

What is a tankless water heater?

A tankless water heater heats the water as it passes through, rather than storing hot water, resulting in continuous hot water throughout your RV. This is great for larger families or people who just don’t like being rushed through a shower. No matter how long you need hot water for, you can count on high performance.

These systems are also installed at the point-of-use, but without a tank, they have a very low profile and take up less space under your sink.

How to Decide What Kind of RV Water Heater Is Right for You

There are a lot of benefits to a tankless system – and not just the constant hot water – but that doesn’t mean this system is right for everyone. Here are some factors you can keep in mind.

Ask yourself the following before choosing between a tankless and point-of-use water heater:

If you answered “no” to most of these questions, it sounds like a point-of-use water heater fits all of your needs. Your camping lifestyle is simple, and you’re just happy when you can get out of the house for a few days. Vacation just wouldn’t be the same without the thrill of a quick shower.

All this to say, if you only use your RV a few times a year or don’t need hours of shower-time when you travel or prefer camping far off the grid, then a tankless system is not a worthwhile investment for you and point-of-use units will easily get the job done.

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, then it may be time to upgrade to a tankless system. Let us explain.

Is a tankless water heater worth the investment?

There are some downsides to a tankless system, just like any other hot water heater. The upfront costs of tankless systems are quite a bit higher than a more traditional system, they have a lower flow rate, and they are more difficult to install. 

However, when used often enough, a tankless unit is well worth the cost and the hassle when you consider the energy savings. Water in a tank uses constant energy to keep hot, but with a tankless system, not only will you have the benefit of continuous hot water and more control over temperature, but you could save enough money on electricity to pay for the system in a matter of years.

If you live full-time in an RV, find yourself seeking the great outdoors for weeks at a time, or need to escape your everyday life more weekends than not, then a tankless system is an investment that you can get a lot out of.

No matter what kind of water heater you decide is best for your RV and lifestyle, our team at MWSS can help you find the parts you need and give you the best advice for maintaining them. We want you to have the best camping experience possible!

Shop all GEA water heaters here.

6 Benefits of GE Appliances Tankless Water Heaters

Electric tankless water heaters, like this one by GE Appliances (GEA), are becoming more popular for RVers because of their small size and great benefits. While these systems come with a higher price tag than traditional water heaters and installation is more complex, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages for frequent RVers.

Unlimited hot water

The biggest benefit of tankless water heaters is never running out of hot water. Rather than storing hot water, which is not always the best solution for RVers, a tankless system heats the water as it passes through. This means you have instant and continuous hot water as long as you have electricity.

Point of use installation

Another great thing about this GEA water heater is its low profile. These systems take up a lot less space and are installed at the point of use, for hot water where you need it. The proximity of point-of-use water heaters allows hot water to arrive quickly and efficiently, meaning warmth on demand. No more waiting around for a hot shower or washing your hands in near-frozen water.

Remote control

This GEA tankless water heater is designed to be used in one of two different ways. You can adjust the temperature and settings with an easy-to-use and intuitive touch screen, or you can conveniently change the settings with remote control from up to 30 feet away. 

Being able to control your water temperature from a distance is handier than you might think. For one, your point-of-use unit may be close, but it could also be hard to get to. It is also convenient for families who may not all use the same water temperature for showers. You can turn up the heat as much as you want and then dial it back when it’s the kids’ turn.

Self-modulating technology

This tankless water heater brings smart tech into your RV so you don’t have to worry about fluctuating temperatures. This system is self-modulating, meaning it optimizes usages and keeps water temperature consistent using inlet and outlet temperature sensors.

Energy efficient

If you use your RV often enough, then you could see some amazing energy savings. While the upfront costs of this system may be higher than more traditional units, the savings alone could pay for this water heater in a matter of years. This is because there is no nonstop energy use keeping water in a tank hot at all times. A tankless system only uses electricity or gas when a faucet is turned on.

Performance

Just because this tankless system comes in a small package doesn’t mean its performance is any lower. The GEA tankless water heater runs up to 0.7 gallons per minute, which is enough to run one faucet in multiple climates.

Just like with any other system or appliance, there are pros and cons to a tankless water heater. With this GEA water heater, though, the benefits really stand out, and we recommend installing this system to anyone who lives full-time in an RV or finds themselves camping more than a couple of times a year. 

If you think this system is right for you, shop GE Appliances Tankless Water Heaters here.

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