Tankless water heaters – pros and cons?

I’m a fan, but I understand why some people would prefer a tank. Pro – endless hot water. Cons – takes about 20 seconds to warm up and it requires decent water pressure to even work.

We have a fogatti tankless water heater and absolutely love it! I have yet to experience any issues that I’ve heard others have.

Pros – I get way more hot water than when I had a 7 gallon (I believe) tank. Cons – you will fill up your grey tank a lot faster as you have to let the water heat up for a bit first. But that may or may not be a concern to you.

We used to have one but I could never get it to work right. It either didn’t heat the water or the water woudl be hot then cold then hot… Took it back to the RV back to the dealer and swapped it out for a tank.

Like with anything, your experience will depend on the product. We have a Truma and you get instant hot water and it works at low flow rates, which addresses most of the pain points of your typical tankless model. We love it

Sorry, I just saw this thread! Here’s my long-winded take since we upgraded from a 6-gallon tank to a tankless and have used the tankless for over a year now.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

Tank Water Heater: The Good and the Bad

Pros:

• Simple and reliable. It’s a “set it and forget it” system that just works, as long as you don’t push it too hard.
• No sudden temperature swings. Once the water’s hot, it stays at a consistent temp (as long as you don’t run out).
• Affordable upfront. Tank models are cheaper to buy and install, which is great if you’re on a budget.

Cons:

• Limited hot water. If you’re a fan of long showers or washing dishes back-to-back, you’ll run out of hot water quickly.
• Heavy and bulky. Tanks take up space and add weight, which isn’t ideal for an RV.
• Reheating takes time. If you run out, you’ve gotta wait for the tank to heat up again—kind of a pain when you’re in a rush.

Tankless Water Heater: What’s It Like?

Pros:

• Endless hot water. This was the biggest game-changer for me. I can take longer showers or do dishes without worrying about running out.
• Compact and lightweight. It takes up way less space than a tank, which is a win for RVers.
• More efficient. It only heats water as you need it, so you’re not wasting propane or electricity keeping a tank warm all day.

Cons:

• Temperature fluctuations. If the water flow changes (like someone turning on a faucet while you’re showering), you might get hit with cold water for a second.
• Higher upfront cost. Both the unit and installation are pricier than a tank water heater.
• Dependent on water pressure. If your RV park has low water pressure, the heater might struggle to perform well.

For me, the switch was worth it. I love the convenience of unlimited hot water, and the space savings are a bonus. That said, I think whether or not it’s right for someone else depends on their needs:

• Go tankless if: You value long showers, frequently dry camp (since they’re more efficient), or want to save space.
• Stick with a tank if: You’re on a tight budget, prefer a simpler system, or don’t mind managing your hot water usage.

If you do decide to go tankless, make sure to get a good model that’s RV-specific, like the Girard or Truma. Installation might take some tweaking if your rig wasn’t set up for it, but once it’s done, it’s a game-changer. Oh, and get a water pressure regulator to help avoid those cold-water surprises.

Hope that helps!

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 3 days ago by Georgia McBroom.