Gas or Electric Water Heater, Which is Better?

[MrBoAnd Firelake]

sent: 8/1/2003

Do you guys have a Gas or Elec water heaters? Someone told me to get a gas one, that a lot people don't like the elec. So I was just wondering, since there seem's to to be so much differents in the price.
  Fire

[bhart70]

Sent: 8/1/2003

If you only stay at campgrounds with electical hookups, then an electric heater will be just fine.  It's when you're boondocking or staying on grounds that don't have electricity that the gas heater would be a much better choice as it is self contained, thus the much higher expense.  It would really just depend on the type of places you generally stay.

[jbrt1989]

Sent: 8/1/2003

My experience is that using L/P heats the water faster and recovers quicker after use.  .

When I replaced my Attwood gas water heater I did so with an Attwood dual unit.  It runs on gas or elect. 

It's a fair bit more expensive, but, was well worth it to me.  I use electric when I'm hooked up at a campground or on the generator, and the gas when I'm boondocking.

Jeff

[Lefty]

Sent: 8/1/2003

My water heater is the original gas attwood 6 gal. model. I haven't upgraded it with an electric heating element yet(a Hotrodd), as the gas usage is minimal and it has provided me with all the hot water I can use.

[Froggy1936]

I have a 6 gal gas (propane) water heater that I added the electric hot rod to (it replaces the drain cock) I use the electric when pluged in or running the generator it supplys plenty of hot water (cheaper than using propane) Especially in the winter when you may need the furnace. When i plan on a shower i turn on the propane (you do not have to turn off the electric) then after shower turn off the propane.  I never tried the shower with only the electric but i think you would run out of hot water. If you already have propane this is the way to go Have both  Frank

[ClydesdaleKevin]

We use the 10 gallon Attwood with electric and propane.  We use the electric in campgrounds and the propane when we don't have hookups, and sometimes we use both when we want the hot water to recover VERY quickly, like when we both need to take a shower before the faire on weekends.  Ours is the high end model that has a mixing valve at the back of the heater...it heats the water up hotter than usable, and then mixes it with cold water, effectively giving you 16 gallons of hot water...more than enough for a real shower!

It wasn't even all that difficult to install in Excalibur, although they are taller and deeper than the 5-6 gallon models.  It was a somewhat tight fit depth wise, but not too bad.

Kev