🔥 RV Water Heater Propane Calculator
Calculate exactly how much propane your RV water heater uses per day, per trip, or per tank
| Heater Type | BTU/hr | Gal/hr | Gal/Day (avg) | Days per 30-lb Tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Gal Standard | 8,000 | 0.087 | 0.044–0.087 | 82–160 days |
| 10-Gal Standard | 10,000 | 0.109 | 0.055–0.109 | 65–129 days |
| 12-Gal Standard | 12,500 | 0.137 | 0.068–0.137 | 52–104 days |
| 6-Gal DSI | 8,000 | 0.087 | 0.044–0.087 | 82–160 days |
| Tankless On-Demand | 55,000 | 0.601 | 0.080–0.200 | 35–89 days |
| Combo (gas mode) | 8,000 | 0.087 | 0.044–0.087 | 82–160 days |
| Heater Size | Tank Capacity | Recovery Rate | Showers per Tank | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Gallon | 6 gal (22.7 L) | ~5 gal/hr | 1–2 showers | ~27 min |
| 10-Gallon | 10 gal (37.9 L) | ~6 gal/hr | 2–3 showers | ~30 min |
| 12-Gallon | 12 gal (45.4 L) | ~8 gal/hr | 2–4 showers | ~25 min |
| Tankless | Unlimited | 1.5–2.5 gal/min | Unlimited | Instant |
| Tank Weight | Propane (gallons) | Propane (liters) | Total BTU | Days* Water Heater Only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lb | 4.7 gal | 17.8 L | 430,059 | ~54 days |
| 30 lb | 7.1 gal | 26.9 L | 649,664 | ~81 days |
| 40 lb | 9.4 gal | 35.6 L | 860,119 | ~108 days |
| 100 lb | 23.6 gal | 89.3 L | 2,159,447 | ~270 days |
* Based on 6-gal heater at 8,000 BTU/hr running ~1 hr/day average
| Inlet Water Temp | Temp Rise Needed | Relative Propane Use | Recovery Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40°F (4°C) — Very Cold | 80°F rise | +33% above baseline | +9 min longer |
| 50°F (10°C) — Cold | 70°F rise | +17% above baseline | +5 min longer |
| 60°F (15°C) — Baseline | 60°F rise | Baseline (100%) | Standard |
| 70°F (21°C) — Warm | 50°F rise | –17% below baseline | –4 min shorter |
| 80°F (27°C) — Hot Climate | 40°F rise | –33% below baseline | –8 min shorter |
RV Water Heater running on Propane is quite a common topic among folks that travel or live full-time in their vehicles. One can choose between several kinds, for instance tankless models, combined gas-electric devices and units with porcelain coat. Every type has its own pros and cons.
Many RV Water Heaters can run either on 120-volt electricity or on Propane. One normally switches between those two power sources using the control panel of the RV. In some models there is an internal switch that controls the Propane heating, while the switch outside at the Water Heater controls the electric part.
Using Propane for Your RV Water Heater
In some newer RVs, electronic panels simply take care of everything.
A standard tanked RV Water Heater is commonly a 6-gallon unit, heated by Propane, with electronic lighting. Such devices always have a water tank, and during winter storage one must empty it to avoid frost damage. About Propane use: a 6-gallon tanked heater set at 120°F uses about 0.4 to 0.5 gallons of Propane each hour.
The reheating speed using Propane is around 10 gallons per hour, compared with about 6.2 gallons per huor using electricity. If one runs both at the same time, that rises to around 16.2 gallons per hour.
Tankless Propane Water Heaters are a popular upgrade. They give almost endless warm water, as long as Propane and water stay available. One model uses Propane gas too heat the water right away, using a built-in 12-volt rechargeable pump and 20 500-BTU burner.
Some folks replaced their old gas-electric Water Heater with a tankless Propane unit and found the setup quite easy.
Propane-only Water Heaters need only a small amount of electricity for the igniter and the thermostat, probably less than 2 amps DC from the battery. RV electric systems usually cannot handle fully electric tankless heaters, because they need too much power. Because of that Propane is usually the better choice.
Important to know, that Propane Water Heaters with a burner must vent the gases directly out. Without proper venting there is serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you smell Propane near the Water Heater, that can mean that extra Propane does not burn correctly, which needs a check for leaks.
A 20-pound Propane tank carries around 430 000 BTU. That gives about four hours of shower time. If one assumes 10-minute showers, that results in a bit less than one month with one single tank.
Some who lived full-time in an RV filled a 100-pound Propanetank at the end of April, and it still lasted until mid-August with daily showers and cooking.
