3 places you can’t take a storage water heater
You might love your home, but everybody needs a change of scenery once in a while. Whether this is a temporary vacation or a permanent move, it can help your mind, body and soul to break out of your comfort zone and take a road trip across the country or a cruise to the Caribbean.
However, no matter where your travels take you, you're going to need plenty of hot water to stay comfortable and clean. This can get tricky when you're not at home and don't have a cumbersome storage heater with you. In fact, there might be some places that storage heaters just shouldn't go. If you're contemplating a change, check out these three places you can't bring storage water heaters.
1. Out to sea
What's more luxurious than owning a private boat? Whether it's a 20-foot yacht or a 5-foot dingy, you're going to need a heater that packs enough punch to provide you with hot water while taking up minimal space below deck.
If you're still set on storage heaters as your go-to solution, you might want to rethink your choice. You first need to consider just how much space the average storage model takes up. On top of that, new energy efficiency regulations are set to kick in that require all new storage heaters to contain more insulation – if it is installed to the outside of the tank, you're just eating up what little space you have on the boat.
Alternatively, if the insulation is installed on the inside, the capacity of your storage heater is reduced. When you're out to sea and fresh water is at a premium anyway, a smaller tank is only going to compound your problem and leave you with a cold shower a few minutes after you turn on the water.
"The average shower lasts around 8 minutes and uses more than 17 gallons of water."
2. On the road
You don't have to be a master sailor to enjoy a bit of traveling. In fact, taking a recreational vehicle for a spin around the country can be just as rewarding – that is, if you have enough hot water to keep the RV from smelling a little funky.
Just like on a boat, you'll probably have such little space that you'll end up buying a smaller storage heater than you were anticipating. According to the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the average shower lasts around 8 minutes and uses more than 17 gallons of water. A storage heater on an RV might be able to handle your shower, but if the rest of your traveling companions need a rinse, you'll have to explain why they're in for a cold surprise.
If you're still stuck on storage heaters for your RV, you're going to have to resort to some extreme measures to conserve water, like the Navy shower method. Instead of one long, luxurious period under a jet of warm water, the Navy shower is a no-frills approach to getting clean. After rinsing for 1 minute, you turn the water off and use whatever cleaning products you have. When you're lathered up, you turn the water back on for a quick rinse.
If that doesn't sound like your idea of a relaxing vacation, you're probably not alone.
3. To the bank
Sure, this isn't a location you'd ever want to bring your storage water heater, but these devices, especially older models, can be so inefficient that any dreams of balancing your checkbook will be up in smoke by now.
Instead, you should look into how tankless water heaters can help you regain freedom from expensive and cumbersome storage models. Not only do they feature slim profiles that are perfect for tight spaces, but as long as you have a steady supply of fresh water, you can keep showering until you pull into the dock and park the RV.