Newbie Question - Water Heater on or off?

 

All depends on the efficiency of the thermal insulation.

From memory it was a standard domestic copper hot water tank fitted with a jacket and a 3kw immersion heater. Then they did the testing.

Not sure the insulation would make any difference (in the test I mentioned) as it was under controlled conditions with the same tank and insulation jacket

When I use my caravan (only used it once so far) I'm on holiday.   I'm wanting to have a good relaxing fun time.  Don't want to think about energy saving, recycling or anything like that.  So, my plan is simple.    I turn on the heater an forget about it. Until packing up to leave.

That said - grey water recycling.   Taking to water out of the wastemaster to fill the toilet flush, is very convenient. So, this kind of recycling makes loads of sense.  And it's less work than a trip down to the water tap to fill the watering can.

As for energy saving, I've got a project for next year to swap all the bulbs out from halogen to LED.  (Only going to use the van once more this year, so it's ok for now and I've spent a fortune so need to let my wallet start to recover)   This will mostly likely end up in a bigger saving in power terms, than from turning the heater on and off (or not as the case may be)

Hi Mike

You have learnt the hard way on your initiation into caravanning with your choice of car so you do right to ask on here where you will get advice from those with experience.

You have been given good advice from more than one post on how to go on. That advice is from experience.

Switch it on and leave it on.

If asking for advice in future it is always a good idea to mention what type of outfit you have as it can mean a more accurate answer

Sorry but I switch it on and off as suits us. It takes very little to time to heat up the water but it may be some take longer. This is the fifth caravan with a water heater and we have always been happy with the speed.  we do however use the higher mixed gas and electric setting although that seems to use very little gas.

I appear to be in the minority in that I turn mine off when not required. The tank is moderately well insulated and retains a modicum of heat. Just needs a quick boost when hot water is required.

I leave it on all the time. The water heater is fitted with a thermostat which keeps the water at the required temperature. If the temp drops a bit the thermostat will enable the power to kick in for a very short time to bring the water back up to the right temp. 

Thermostats are fitted for that very purpose to only use small amounts of energy and give you hot water on demand. 

If you turn the water heater off it will use a lot of energy to reheat the water from cold and will take a fair time. 

It's been proved in the industry that letting the thermostat do its  job will use no more power, and maybe even less, than heating from cold.

 

Methinks you have rewritten the basic rules of physics with that statement.

 

Can you explain please?

We are in the camp of switching it on and leaving it on, especially at this time of year when we often do the dishes in the van. We have a combi boiler so if the heating is on it will keep the water hot, we leave the heating on at a very low setting overnight and when out of the van, it then doesn't take long to heat up on return.

When away in hot weather we tend to do everything in the facilities block, so quiet often don't even bother putting the water heater on at all as its under one of the beds and makes it rather warm to sleep on. When in temps of 25c and above not required.

Agree with TW and others its more efficient to let the thermostat do its work.

I appear to be in the minority in that I turn mine off when not required. The tank is moderately well insulated and retains a modicum of heat. Just needs a quick boost when hot water is required.

+1, don't think it is anywhere near as well insulated as domestic (even grade 3 caravans touted as "all year" are only about 1/3 or less as well insulated as standard homes) so better to switch it off when not required if you care at all about energy use.

Previous posting about changing to LED bulbs: whilst this will certainly eke out your 12V battery life, it is only likely  to save a tiny amount of energy compared to that used in heating.

For a really detailed read:

http://www.withouthotair.com/

Can you explain please?

Me too, I'm very interested