Are There Any RV Water Heaters Rated For Below Freezing Use  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hey Todd,

Tankless systems are great, but a lot of them have built in sensors to turn themselves off in weather below 36-32 degrees (depending on the model) or will still freeze like a normal tanked system. The issue is that the unit is always facing out exposed to the elements because it needs to exhaust out. With a tankless you could run the unit constantly to keep the water moving and hopefully prevent it from freezing but it's not a guarantee and you'd likely be using quite a bit of propane. There really isn't much you can do for the hoses aside from having built in heaters and trying to insulate them a bit more.

The only option we currently offer that could potentially work would be the Excel RV Tankless Water Heater # EX93FR because it doesn't need to vent out of the trailer and could be installed inside where the heat from the furnace would keep it from freezing. It can produce up to 96 Gallons of hot water per hour, but can not handle multiple points of use at the same time. This means you can't wash your dishes while someone else is taking a shower.

If your demand is higher than that during normal weather you could pipe the Excel in with a bypass so that you could use it or the replacement for the old tanked unit. This would obviously be a lot more work but should allow you to keep using a water heater during the winter. If you do replace the Atwood/Dometic unit I recommend going with Furrion's tankless water heater. I very rarely hear anything negative about them or have to troubleshoot anything with them compared to other options on the market. Newer systems are a bit smaller than before so you'll likely need to fill in the gaps on the sides with some wood so that the new unit has something to screw into. You'll also need to measure the access door to ensure you're getting the right size to replace it. Furrion has the following sizes:

16" x 16" Door # FR98SR
16" x 18" Door # FR48SR
18" x 18" Door # FR68SR

If you're installing this yourself you'll also need some butyl tape # AL28FJ and non-sag sealant # 344270341437-1 for a waterproof seal to the trailer wall.

expert reply by: Kevin C

0

Jameson C.

12/22/2025

Hey Todd, how did things go with replacing your GC10AE3 water heater? Did you end up going with the Furrion tankless model or try the Excel unit inside to help with the freezing issue? Your update could make it easier for others dealing with cold-weather hookups.