Is the water in your RV heater not heating up?

Nov. 6 2021 Airstream RVs By Julie

When it comes to RV water heater troubleshooting, the most typical issue is cold water that isn't being heated. Your water may not be becoming hot for a variety of reasons. Your propane supply valve may be turned off. Another possibility is that a fuse has blown into the electrical system. If you accidentally shut off your propane and didn't remember to put it back on (for example, after de-winterizing your RV for the season), the solution is simple: turn it back on! Similarly, if a fuse has blown, replace it as soon as possible, and you should have hot water in no time.


Another reason your RV's water isn't heating is that you may have neglected to turn the supply valve back to the "normal" or "open" position after bypassing your water heater when winterizing your RV. Your water will be hot if you forget to re-open the valve throughout the de-winterizing process. However, none of it will make it out of the tank of the water heater! In case of any query, you can contact an Airstream dealer in Mississippi.


Troubleshooting Tips for RV Water Heaters


If your RV's water isn't getting hot, here are some practical actions to take (beginning with the simplest alternatives and working our way up from there): Water heaters are not all made equal, and what works for one person may not work for another. That's why having your water heater handbook on hand can be quite beneficial. You'll be able to see where each item is located, making the process of checking and possibly changing parts much easier. We'll wait while you find yours.


Examine Bypass Valves


When troubleshooting an RV water heater, make sure to check the bypass valve. If the water in your RV isn't heating, make sure the bypass valves aren't closed. You may have switched off the water heater bypass valves after filling your freshwater tank, cleaning your water lines, or winterizing your Airstream uuuu24x for the season. We always recommend checking your bypass valve first when troubleshooting your RV water heater.


It's easy to overlook the bypass valves, but it's also one of the most straightforward solutions. It would be a headache to spend hours fixing an RV water heater just to discover that the bypass valves are shut! If you face a problem at any point, you can contact the best Airstream dealers in Mississippi and Tennessee.


Examine Your Outside Shower 

 

Yes, you read that correctly. Your own outdoor shower. Especially if it includes a shutoff valve on the shower handle, you can swivel to turn off the water flow. It should generally continue to drip from the wand, but if it doesn't, you might not know the faucet's valves are still open. The hot water can mingle with the cold water if they are open, but the shut-off on the handle is closed.


Even if you merely switch on the hot valve at the faucet you're using, the remainder of your Airstream Bambi will only get lukewarm water. The water heater is working again, but it's mixing with cold water at the outdoor faucet, preventing hot water from reaching the remainder of the RV.


Check the Propane Levels in Your Home


Another basic procedure that's easy to overlook when dealing with a shortage of hot water is checking your propane levels. If you try to heat with propane while your tank is empty (or even very low), you won't have hot water. Fill your propane tank if it's running low, and you should be able to heat the water again. If your propane tank doesn't have a gauge, you can verify if you have propane in it in two ways: Light your stovetop burner and let it on for a few minutes.


You know there's still propane in the tank if the burner stays lit. Simply do not leave it running for an extended period of time or walk away without turning it off. There's another possibility if you've confirmed that your propane tank is full, but your water heater still won't turn on. An abrupt, high-flow release of propane could have been detected by the OPD (Overfill Protection Device) inside the tank. When this happens, the flow is cut off. Thus no propane is discharged even when the tank's valve is open. You can call the best RV dealer in different states of America in case of any problem.


Examine the Anode Rod (If Your RV Water Heater Has One)


Check the anode rod while troubleshooting an RV water heater. The anode rod in your water heater should be checked once a year and if you have a problem with it. An anode rod isn't found in every RV water heater. They're most commonly found in water heaters with a steel tank since the anode rod protects the tank against corrosion. However, a former owner could have placed one on a water heater with an aluminum tank.


If you're using electricity, double-check the heating element.


If you have an electric water heater, you should inspect the heating element as well. These elements can corrode and deteriorate over time. In addition, if you switch on your water heater without any water in it, the heating element may melt.


You may need to replace the heating element to remedy your water heater problems. This is most likely something you'll do from outside your RV. Special tools, such as a heating element wrench, will also be required. One may be found in most hardware stores, or If you live in Mississippi, and Tennessee you can contact the Airstream dealer in case of any problem.