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RVA_Jeff's avatar
RVA_Jeff
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014

How to tell if hot water heater runs off gas or electric

Another newbie question. I know my hot water heater uses propane to ignite, but how do I tell whether, when connected to a 30 amp power source, electricity is actually being used to heat the water.

I.e., am I always burning propane when I heat water, or, when I have power, is THAT what is being used and how do I tell?

Thanks for your help!
Class C

26 Replies

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  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2014
    korbe wrote:
    RoyF wrote:
    The hot water heater on propane will make a "roar" and there will be hot exhaust gas coming from the heater on the outside of your class C.

    And while outside noticing the roar, and feeling the heat, go ahead and open the outside door and take a peak and see how its heating. Part of the learning process. On shore power, an electrical heating element inside the tank is heating the water (if switched). Two completely different processes.
  • RoyF's avatar
    RoyF
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2014
    The hot water heater on propane will make a "roar" and there will be hot exhaust gas coming from the heater on the outside of your class C.
  • powderman426's avatar
    powderman426
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2014
    Go outside and open the door. Inside is a model number. With that you can look up the info on line.
  • dennyida's avatar
    dennyida
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2014
    On our 2004 granite ridge we have two switches on our control panel, one for gas and one for electric. When we are plugged into camp power we can use eather one. Gas seems to heat faster
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2014
    The gas will make a noise when it is starting that you can hear before the fan starts to run. Electrical is silent. If yours heats with electricity there will be a switch somewhere.

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