Hot Water System Choices for 4WD and RV
Hot water is one of the greatest uses of energy for the traveller.
Gas hot water systems have several problems:
- Operate at around 40% efficiency and are relatively costly to run.
- Are vulnerable to dust ingress into burners rendering them unreliable.
- Are bulky & heavy when the weight of the gas bottle and mandatory tank is included.
- LPG is a highly flammable and dangerous energy source.
- Require venting as they consume oxygen and emit dangerous Carbon gasses.
Electric Hot Water system have several advantages:
- Electric power can be generated by solar or alternator or both and are inexpensive to run.
- Are sealed units unaffected by dust.
- Are lightweight and compact in either tankless or tank versions.
- Are protected by circuit protection creating a perfectly safe system.
- Do not require venting.
Tank Hot Water
| Hot Water Comparisons | |||
| Truma Rapid Gas | Safiery Tank-Less Instant Electric 3000W | Stiebel 10L Tank Electric 1500W | |
| Approximate Retail Price (Subject to change) | $1,280 | 450 | 450 |
| Install Labour | 200 | 50 | 50 |
| GAS Approval | 80 | ||
| Gas Bottles and frame | 120 | ||
| Inverter 1000W | 800 | ||
| Inverter 2000W | 1,400 | ||
| Inverter 3000W | 1,900 | ||
| Total | 2,480 | 2,400 | 1,900 |
| $500 Less | |||
| Weight | 8.7 | 3 | 5 |
| Plus Water (Dead Weight) | 14 | 10 | |
| Plus Weight LPG Bottle | 27 | ||
| Plus Inverter/Charger | 6 | 18 | 12 |
| 55.7 | 21 | 27 | |
| Weight Saving | 34 kgs | 29 kgs | |
| Dimensions | .4 x .36 x .33 | .32 x .22 x .07 | .503 x .295 x .275 |
| Litres | 47.52 | 4.928 | 39.15 |
| Space Saving | 42 L | 8 L | |
| Time to Heat (mins) | 45 | <1 | 10 |
However, both electric hot water systems provide a larger inverter that can also be used for induction cooking, espresso, air fryers, etc.
Stiebel 10L Hot Water
Made in Germany, this hot water system is well tested in RVs with a clever mixer and plumbing connections.
It CANNOT be connected to mains pressure nor installed with any high pressure pump.
This hot water system incorporates a highly efficient insulation design which provides thermal insulation and minimal energy losses.
The thermal cut-out provides a permanently safe maximum water temperature.
In addition, it has a Thermo-Stop function that helps to save energy and prevents the mixer tap from being heated in stand-by mode.
- Made in Germany
- Together with the mixer system, it is designed for easy to plumb RVs.
- Save energy and water
- Low minimum standby power consumption
- To be fitted with specialised tapware






