What is the Best Skoolie On-Demand Liquid Propane (LP) Tankless Water Heater for a Family of 5?
This blog is all about sharing the best on-demand liquid propane (LP) tankless water heater that we used in our skoolie for a family of 5 living full-time on the road. We lived off-grid by boondocking for about half of the time. Also, ours is ventless!
There are a lot of guides out there giving recommendations for the “top 5 best
| Product Image | Product Name / Primary Rating / Price | Primary Button / Secondary Button | Pros |
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Top Pick
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- Vent free
- Low-pressure start-up
- No standing pilot
- Battery-powered electronic ignition
- Lightweight
- Compact
Personal Review of the Excel Vent-Free Tankless Propane Water Heater
We purchased the Excel Vent-Free Tankless Propane Water Heater, Low Pressure Startup, 1.6GPM for our
This compact hot water heater has a number of great features and we have been happy with our purchase.
Vent free
This propane hot water heater does not require the installation of a fixed vent to release fumes out of the space. Instead, the propane gas is converted through usage in the hot water heater and the by-product vents from the top of the unit.
Low pressure start-up
Having a low pressure start-up is great if you have low flow water, like if you are relying on gravity to help your water flow. In our
No standing pilot
The pilot light only lit when the water was heating rather than always remaining on. We enjoyed this feature because it’s just safer not to have something burning all the time that could cause a fire.
Battery-powered electronic ignition
A small battery is installed to light the ignition for the water heater pilot light. If the battery needs to be replaced, you can access the battery housing on the bottom right side of the unit.
Lightweight
This hot water heater is compact and only weighs 11 pounds. It’s mounted to the wall on a metal cleat and it was easy to install by one person.
How does the Excel Vent-Free Tankless Propane Water Heater rank?
4 out of 5 star reviews
I reviewed several websites, and the Excel Vent-Free Tankless Propane Water Heater ranks at 4 out of 5 stars. Additionally, it comes well recommended in the RV, van and school bus conversion communities for living tiny.
FAQ about skoolie tankless water heaters
How much does a tankless water heater cost?
Most tankless water heaters are between $200-$300, based on my shopping experience. The Excel Vent-Free Tankless Propane Water Heater that we used in our bus conversion was just about $200 before taxes (free shipping) when we bought it in the spring of 2021.
It’s still about that price now.
Do propane tankless water heaters need to be vented?
No. Not all water heaters need to be vented. There are a number of tested and trusted ventless water heaters on the market. Ventless or vent-free tankless propane water heaters are available with many positive reviews!
We purchased the Excel Vent-Free Tankless Propane Water Heater, Low Pressure Startup, 1.6GPM on Amazon because we did not want to vent our hot water heater.
We wanted to avoid placing more holes in the roof and, at this stage, our solar panels and ceilings were already installed so we didn’t want to open a can of (unnecessary) worms by cutting through it all, especially since there are safe options available that make venting unneeded.
Why should you put a tankless water heater in a RV or Skoolie ?
Installing a tankless water just makes sense in an RV or school bus conversion! You save so much space and it’s more energy efficient, heating the water only when you need it.
It’s compact.
The dimensions of the tankless, ventless hot water heater unit we purchased are width 11.6 inches x depth 4.46 inches x height 13.5 inches.
It’s lightweight.
Ours weighs 11 pounds!
Heats water on demand.
Traditional tank water heaters are notorious for being energy-hogs since they heat water constantly, not on-demand.
No standing pilot light.
Ventless options.
Our hot water heater is ventless so there were fewer holes that needed to be cut in our bus to install it.
Is a tankless water heater worth it in a RV or skoolie ?
In our humble opinion, it’s worth every penny.
Space-saving
There is a big loss of space in a tiny home with a tank water heater. A compact water heater makes a big impact in a small space.
Energy-efficiency
Hot water heaters with tanks have the added (unnecessary) constant energy usage since they heat water even when the water is not in use. Tankless water heaters heat water on-demand, only when you need it.
Con: Not much cost savings compared to a tank hot water heater
When you compare the price of a heat-on-demand hot water heater to a tank water heater, there is not a big difference in price.
What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 5 living full time in a skoolie ?
We used water constantly while living in our
If you are geeky, the unit we purchased from Amazon had a hot water output of 1.6 gallons/minute (5.5 l/min), and we were never without hot water in our tiny home on wheels.
What are the disadvantages of a liquid propane tankless water heater?
Running out of propane
Truly, we don’t see any disadvantages other than running out of propane, which is unlikely.
Leak possibility
If you’ve installed your LP water heater according to manufacturer guidelines and/or had a professional install or review your work, the likelihood of this happening is low. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning.
How much propane does a RV tankless water heater use?
To put it in perspective, we lived full time on the road as a family of five for six months and only had to fill up our 2-twenty gallon propane tanks twice during that time.
There is a small likelihood of a gas leak; however, if you do your due diligence during installation, leaks should not occur. Additionally, it’s recommended to install a propane gas detector (alongside a smoke and carbon dioxide detector). You can pick those up at most building stores.
How big of a propane tank do I need for a tankless water heater in a skoolie ?
We installed two 20-gallon propane tanks in one of storage bins under the bus. We are a family of five that lived full-time in our
How do you hook up a tankless gas water heater in a skoolie ?
I’ve listed a top-level overview of the installation process below.
Review and follow manufacturer guidelines
Truly, following the manufacturer guidelines is the biggest recommendation. Fortunately, our instructions were clear and finding useful guides on YouTube were excellent when we needed it.
Secure the water heater to the wall, allowing for the appropriate head room at the top for heat escaping.
Attach the hot water lines
We used red (hot) and blue (cold) CPVC flexible pipe.
Connect the gas line
Test the gas line for leaks
Get a spray bottle with soapy water and spray all your connections. If you see any bubbles, then you need to work on the connections.
Install the battery used for the ignition
Open the battery compartment on the bottom right corner of the unit.
Hire a professional to review your work
If you are not a professional like us, we recommend having a licensed plumber and/or gas specialist take a look at your fittings after finishing your installation if you are doing it yourself.
Don’t cover the unit so it’s always able to vent and cool properly
As per manufacturer guidelines, keep the unit uncovered so it an property vent and not overheat, which can lead to fire.
Inspect quarterly for leaks and issues
If you’re installing this on a motor vehicle, then things rattle and roll constantly in transit and you may be entering different climates, which causes expansion and contraction. Check fittings quarterly for safety.
Resources for the Excel Vent-Free Tankless Propane Water Heater
Installation Support
To find the best installation resources, visit the manufacturer’s website.
Independent Reviews of the Excel Vent-Free Tankless Propane Water Heater, Low Pressure Startup, 1.6GPM
Here are some independent reviews so you can make the best decision for you!
Conclusion
We really enjoyed our on-demand, tankless, and ventless LP water heater. It met the needs of our family of five perfectly as we lived and traveled full time on the road. We were never without hot water when we needed it, and that’s really what we needed it for!
If you’re curious the entire
Thanks for following on our adventures.
Best Water Tank for a Skoolie
We recommend the largest water tanks you can install. We went with two 100 gallon tanks for fresh water and gray water storage.
