Hot water heater on both propane and electricity?

[alanmikkelsen]

Probably a dumb question, but can you operate a hot water heater on both propane and electricity for more rapid recovery of hot water? Or is there an automatic cutout that prevents this. Too lazy to do my own research...

[wa8yxm]

Do, or rather did, it all the time when Wife was alive (Well much of the time) no problem at all, only thing is the water heats faster.

in fact on Dual power washing dishes you are likely to be right close to endless hot, Showers you run out but it takes longer

[MaverickBBD]

You pretty much got your answer so I will have to ask. Why do you want to heat your hot water? Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Bobbo]

That is our normal showering procedure. Both of us can take back to back showers with our 6 gallon water heater and never run out of water.

We leave the electric element on all of the time, then turn on the propane heater just before showering. After the showers are done, we turn off the propane heater.

[1ofmany]

We usually do this when we are both going to take a shower within minutes of one another.

[Old-Biscuit]

Suburban has separate set of t-stats for each heating source.
One 120V AC set for electric and one 12V DC set for Propane
Both sets have SAME preset temp settings. (Normal 130*F/Hi Temp 170*F)

Atwood use to have separate sets for electric and propane but all models since 2004 have only one set
Regardless..all were SAME preset temp settings (Normal 140*F/ECO--HI Temp 180*F)

Electric heating is slowest recovery rate
Propane can be almost twice as fast recovery rate vs electric
Propane/Electric together can be almost 1 1/2 times faster vs propane only

Controls will shut down BOTH at same temp setting and will start BOTH at same time when Normal t-stat has cooled down and CLOSES (roughly 110*F-115*F)



Caveat:
Some different preset temp Normal t-stats are available as OPTIONS
But OEM Stock are SAME settings

[BB_TX]

Do it frequently, especially if the weather is cold and the incoming cold water takes longer to heat on electric alone.

[alanmikkelsen]

Thanks!!!!

[pianotuna]

running on both is fine.

[LetsRV]

Yes, we also turn on both when we plan to take back-to-back showers. Recovery time is faster (as you suggested) and with only a 6 gal hot water tank we have no trouble both of us getting a decent length with hot water.

[pattyz]

Lots of people do this, it does heat up quicker, we have a 10 gal tank and gas does heat up pretty quick by itself, I feel hottest water is electric though.