Water Heater Effiency

G and D wrote:
We use our hot water for dishes and showers in the morning and dishes at night. It seems like a waste of propane to leave the heater on when were not using hot water. I realize it takes time and propane to reheat the water but it seems that shutting the heater off and reheating each AM and PM would save propane.

Can any experts on heating mass and propane provide their expertise.

Thanks

Do you turn your water heater off and on in your stick and bricks house? IF no, why not if you think it is worthwhile in your RV? If yes, then why are you just considering doing that in your RV?

The reality is that there are tremendous variables that preclude any one answer to include the ambient temperature, the temperature of the incoming water, as well as the amount of use of the hot water. I have done both and discovered that while I might save a very small amount of energy, I lost much in convenience, especially when I forgot to turn it on in the morning and wanted to take a quick shower.