Community Forums

darjacob · 03-29-2023, 01:42 PM

During freezing weather, if I leave the electric on and NOT use any water (RV is sitting beside my garage and we are in the house) will that protect the AH water coils from freezing? Will the AH maintain hot water without using any?

This year when we returned from our winter nest, I drained all the water in the coach but didn't use antifreeze. The temps at night got down to the high 20's and low 50's during the day. I turned the electric on thinking it would protect the AH water coils. I know there was little chance of freezing at these temperatures. I'm just curious.

Whatta ya think?

Turbojack · 03-29-2023, 02:01 PM

I think the hot water line in the AH will be good as long as 120V power is on, you have electricity, the AH is working property, and the element is not burned out

As far as cold and hot lines away from AH is another story. Also check icemaker line and washer lines

Warhorse6 · 03-29-2023, 02:24 PM

I’d download the aquahot manual for winterization techniques. If you’re comfortable with your current process, wish you well. Not sure I would take that chance.

Mwoodofd · 03-29-2023, 07:26 PM

I would think your coils are fine in your situation with electric AH on.

I left my rig in the Palm Springs CA area (Indio) from November until now, and even though it hardly ever freezes there, it was a cooler winter than normal. I left my AH Electric and Burner turned on and the Zone 1 and 3 on as low as it would go (I think 45 degrees) when we were not there. I ended up burning about two thirds a tank of propane (yours in diesel). For me, is was not worth the risk of a freak freeze when we were not there. I also know if the power fails on our lot, so this works good for me. (Propane cost was about $150). I did not set the basement thermostat because the heat from the AH in the wet bay area stay warm enough. If I was in freezing areas, I would probably run the floor heat as well on as low as it would go as a freeze protect of all the areas. We are in and out of there enough that we can order more propane if needed.

n2zon · 03-29-2023, 07:43 PM

I think antifreeze is awfully inexpensive compared to AH heat exchangers.

RVFunlovers · 03-29-2023, 08:19 PM

I leave the aqua hot on electric only.
I leave the basement heat on 45, the front and rear heat on 45.
Everything stays at about 45 when the weather is not that cold. Mid 20’s or above.

Different story for a night when the temp gets cold like 0 or 10.

I use temp alarms made by Govee. One in the wet bay of the basement and a couple in the coach. They are adjustable in when to alarm to my phone. I set mine at 40 and no issues. The Govee system is inexpensive but requires wifi.