Electric Water Heater

MP · 02-12-2009, 01:00 PM

When plugged into electricity is it best to leave the water heater on all the time, or turn it off and on when hot water is needed? Which way is better for long life of the water heater?

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 02-12-2009, 01:36 PM

Being we full time, we leave ours on all the time, unless we are traveling, (not in the coach), then we turn it off. It hasn't seemed to hurt it yet and have been doing it this way for three years. It cycles off and on by demand. On occasion I even turn on the lp and electric at the same time to aid in the recovery time if back to back showers are needed.

MP · 02-12-2009, 02:10 PM

We do not full time, but we do spend time at places for 1 to 3 months at a time. This is when I am wondering if it is best to leave, or not leave, the water heater on all the time.

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 02-12-2009, 02:33 PM

I would leave it on when you are using the coach during your 3 month stays. I would turn it off when you park and store the coach. No need to have hot water at the ready then. When stored, I would run all systems at least once a month.

GaryKD · 02-12-2009, 03:27 PM

Hi MP,
The coah HWH is treated the same as the stick house HWH. I see no difference in the coach HWH and my house HWH. Set it and forget it. When not using the stick house, I turn the HWH off. The same is true for the coach.

When a boost is needed, like previously posted, I use the propane in addition to the electric. This combo provides a really nice recovery time.

DAN L · 02-13-2009, 12:43 AM

if you have the workhorse- winnebago supplemental water heater system that routes engine coolant through a heat exchanger in the water heater, turn off the electric heater element while driving and leave it off until the water in the water heater runs cool.
the engine coolant will heat the water to 195 deg and the "eco overheat switch" will trip and then the electric element will not work until you reset it on the backside of the water heater. if the electric switch is off, this will not happen. it is a real pita to reset.

paz · 02-13-2009, 02:24 AM

The electric heater will not heat the water up nearly as fast as propane. If you turn it off, you will need to turn it back on well in advance of when you anticipate needing hot water. For that reason, it's better to just leave it on when operating the water heater on electricity. Ours has been on almost continuously now for almost 3 years of full-timing.

Just remember to turn off the electric heater if you drain the water heater for any reason - like to inspect or replace the anode rod (if you have one), to clean the sediment out of the water heater, or to winterize. The heating element will burn out in seconds if it is turned on and not submerged in water.

bdpreece · 02-13-2009, 08:51 AM

When using propane I turn it off. With electricty I never turn it off unless we are leaving the coach for a few days then I normally flip the breaker or disconnect the electricty anyway just as a safety precausion.