Propane water heater, natural gas water heater or electric water heater?
A water heater or instantaneous water heater is used for the preparation of hot water. The water is (mostly) heated by natural gas, but sometimes propane gas, butane gas or electricity is also used.
Most users opt for a propane water heater because they don’t have or cannot get a connection to the natural gas network. And electricity is not always available at the campsite or your boat. A propane water heater is then a good option and in use comparable to a natural gas water heater or electric flow heater.
Types of propane water heaters
In addition to the choice for propane gas or natural gas, it is also good to know whether you need the water heater for indoor or outdoor use, what the water heater's capacity should be and whether it must be an open or room-sealed water heater. For example, a kitchen water heater can have a smaller capacity than a water heater for the bathroom, after all you only have to do the dishes. In terms of capacity, it is good to remember the following:
- Models that deliver 5 about liters of water per minute are intended for, for example, filling a washbasin;
- Models that deliver about 10 liters of water per minute are meant for showering;
- Models that supply more than 12 liters of water per minute can be used to fill a bath.
If you opt for an open water heater, make sure that the room in which the geyser is located is continuously sufficiently ventilated. Open water heaters extract the air needed for combustion from the room where they are installed. A room sealed device has its own supply of fresh air.
The pros and cons of propane water heaters
A major advantage of propane water heaters is that they are cheaper, both in purchase and in use than storage devices (boilers). A propane water heater only heats the water when the hot water tap is opened. Another advantage is that the water is only heated once the hot water tap is opened. The water heater is able to heat an unlimited amount of water and you do not have to wait until sufficient water has been heated up. So you have always and everywhere unlimited hot water up to 65 degrees!
The disadvantage of water heaters is that they often deliver less water per minute than storage devices. As a result, it is usually not possible to extract hot water in several places at the same time. This is not a problem if you live with two people, but if you have a family, this can be difficult.
More information
For more advice or help with the choice of a propane water heater you can always contact us.
