Water Heater Recovery

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Many Podders, particularly newbies, have asked about the recovery time for the water heater on gas, electric, or both. For some quick data points I ran some tests and measured the following:

Electric only recovery: 35 minutes
Gas plus electric recovery: 14 minutes

This was measured with 77 degree F cold water input and a resulting hot water temperature of 131F. The gas only recovery time was not measured, but would be around 23 minutes. Note that recovery time is dependent on may factors including cold water input temperature, how much warm water is left in the heater when you start recovering and, secondarily, the outside air temperature. 

The Suburban model SW6DE found in our Pods is specified at 10.2/6 gallons per hour recovery for gas/electric, but this is with much colder input water. My guess is just above freezing. Therefore if the outside air temperature is near freezing, and has been so for several hours, the heater will fully heat its 6 gallons in about an hour on electric only. Using gas and electric will cut that to half or less. These numbers can be taken as maximums because you won't be heating frozen water.

The Suburban SW6DE specs can be found at: 

http://www.rvcomfort.com/suburban/products/water.php

Happy podding,

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CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Topic: Water Heater Recovery Posted: 11 Jun 2013 at 6:35pm
	Many Podders, particularly newbies, have asked about the recovery time for the water heater on gas, electric, or both. For some quick data points I ran some tests and measured the following: Electric only recovery: 35 minutes Gas plus electric recovery: 14 minutes This was measured with 77 degree F cold water input and a resulting hot water temperature of 131F. The gas only recovery time was not measured, but would be around 23 minutes. Note that recovery time is dependent on may factors including cold water input temperature, how much warm water is left in the heater when you start recovering and, secondarily, the outside air temperature. The Suburban model SW6DE found in our Pods is specified at 10.2/6 gallons per hour recovery for gas/electric, but this is with much colder input water. My guess is just above freezing. Therefore if the outside air temperature is near freezing, and has been so for several hours, the heater will fully heat its 6 gallons in about an hour on electric only. Using gas and electric will cut that to half or less. These numbers can be taken as maximums because you won't be heating frozen water. The Suburban SW6DE specs can be found at: http://www.rvcomfort.com/suburban/products/water.php Happy podding,
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 11 Jun 2013 at 10:08pm
	Another consideration when you have hookups, the set point for the electric element is slightly higher than the set point for the gas. So you can leave both on and for most of the time the electric will keep it hot. Then when you go to wash dishes or take a shower the gas side will kick in for the faster recovery time.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 11 Jun 2013 at 11:00pm
	Good point, Doug. I guess I'd heard/read that, but could not find it documented anywhere.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 12 Jun 2013 at 9:21pm
	Easy to test if you'll be hanging out around outside your pod all day. Turn both on and keep an ear out for the propane burner. You shouldn't hear it.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual