Leisureshopdirect Caravan Blog

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Caravan water heaters when everyone wants a shower at the same time

The majority of caravans are fitted with the 10 litre Ultrastore caravan water heater. The earlier models had a 450 watt electric element but this was replaced by a 850 watts element in about 2006. In either case if you rely solely on the electric element to heat your water you will have to wait a long time between showers if more than two people require showers consecutively. Even then the second person may only get lukewarm water. The Ultrastore caravan water heater was designed as a gas boiler and the electric elements were added at a later date by public demand. The water will heat much quicker if you use the gas operation and of course will heat quicker again if you combine the gas and electric operation. There seems to be a reluctance amongst caravanners to operate appliances from the gas supply, when it is far more efficient to do so in energy terms. The gas appliances are very safe providing they are checked on an annual basis by a competent person. Do not forget to remove the flue cover if you are operating your Ultrastore caravan water heater on gas. It will not light if the cover is not removed.