Carver water heater

[Simon_5041575]

Is it safe to leave water heater on for entire duration of stay at site? At the moment I switch it on in the morning and evening for showering and washing up and all other times it remains off.

 

[Janet_5090515]

Hi Simon

My husband was just asking the same question. We always leave our water heater on all day and are worried about having it on for so long.

It means we always have a supply of hot water but is it safe/damaging to water heater?

Look forward to the replys on this one.

Janet

 

[john_5040735]

Hi Simon

We always leave our water heater on when on site - unless out for a long day!. Never a problem. Heater is thermo controlled, so I would think that it has been designed for this purpose.

John

 

[cooky1]

Only problem I found with leaving the heater on all the time is that when I boiled the kettle the rcd used to pop - too much amperage when both are used together.

 

[john_5040735]

Depends upon the site ampearage Graham. Obviously on low amp sites one would have to take appropriate precautions, but on a 10/16 amp site there should'nt be too much of a problem - unless you regularly use microwave!

John

 

[chelsea1]

we only switch ours on just before requiring - eg - just when getting up (before shower) and just before meals (to do dishes afterwards)...all other times its off. never thought about leaving it on all the time actually......

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Hi. As soon as we are connected up it goes on and stays on till we depart, never had a problem and always have hot water.

 

[ProfJohnL]

All the caravan storage water heaters are designed to be safe to leave on all the time. The water temperature is thermostatically controlled, and you cannot empty the heater tank just by using a tap. so technically they are safe to leave on 100% of the time you are on site.

You may consider the economies and the environmental impact are important or simply for peice of mind, in which case turning them on just before you need them is a perfectly acceptable method.

For winter caravansers, you may wish to leave then on to prevent frosting.

 

[gary]

"but is it safe/damaging"

As said and as long as the heater receives regular service then it is perfectly safe to leave on.

As far as damage is concerned, I would say it's lack of use that causes problems far more than wearing it out through using it.

The replies concentrate on the electric heating side which is always used in preference to gas when a hookup is being paid for!. However neglecting to use the gas from time to time will allow this side to fail and let you down, purely through the lack of use!

 

[Simon_5041575]

Thanks for your replies. What I forgot to mention was my van is a 1990 Swift, the water heater runs on gas not 240 v, does this make any difference?

 

[gary]

Thanks for your replies. What I forgot to mention was my van is a 1990 Swift, the water heater runs on gas not 240 v, does this make any difference?

Only that you have no other option than to use the gas, and that regular service is essential.

Having said that and before anyone thinks of converting a gas only to gas/electric, my first advice is this; The cost of conversion far outways the saving on gas used, any payback then must be taken over several years.