full time rving and running the water heater

As full-timers if we were dry camping we turned it on for showers then turned it off. We paid for that propane. It doesn't hurt to wash your hands during the day with cold or lukewarm water. The water stays warm a long time - even enough for dish time.

If you use RV parks and electric is included, then leave it on.

Treat it just like you do at home. turn it on and leave it on.

On when I park, Off when I leave.

I don't have the electric element so I always leave mine on. Seems that if I turn it off I will always forget to turn it back on. I have noticed that the water stays hot for quite some time and I do not hear the burner kick on. JMO

Sgt Price.....Typically, your new RV should have a propane powered water heater with an electric 110 volt element. Unless you hit really cold weather, the electric element will give you enough hot water for a shower. Leaving the electric element on 24/7 is fine.

The main source of heat for your water heater is propane. If the weather is cold, you may need to fire up the propane to assist the electric element. Many run both the propane and the electric element when people are showering one right after the other or you want an extended shower.

If you find that the electric element is enough, you should still turn on the propane unit occasionally to exercise it.

Leave it on if you have electric hot water.

Depends on your urgency for getting hw in the am. If this is gas, your neighbors (me, especially) don't like hearing it fire off in the dead of night.