Furrion Tankless Water Heater - Cold Weather

[newbold1]

I find it aggravating and misleading to have an "Arctic Package" RV that can only handle temperatures below 39 degrees if you accept having no water. it's not just no hot water but no water period. The tankless water heater was installed with no ability to bypass it.


I emailed Grand Design the following:

My wife and I just purchased our second Grand Design RV. We bought the 2022 Grand Design Reflection 367BHS. This model came with the Furrion tankless water heater. Furrion indicates that this water heater has no cold weather protection and will be in jeopardy if not winterized during freezing temperatures. However, I am thinking that our RV with the arctic package should provide some protection to the water heater as it is surrounded by the RV structure, insulation inside the RV, and probably some ductwork related to the propane heating system. Is this a correct assumption? Do you have a “don’t go lower than” temperature that would be advisable for using the water heater in cold weather versus having to winterize it?

15 days later I received this email in response:

Good afternoon,

Thank you for reaching out to Grand Design and I apologize for the delayed response. The Furrion tankless water heater does not have an internal temperature gauge and is heated based on the flow of the water. When you are not using your hot water, the water will sit in the tank. The arctic package does not provide extra coverage for this. The arctic package refers more to the living space of the unit and not as much of the plumbing.

Furrion indicates the temperature should not go below 39 degrees.

Thank you,
Customer Service
Grand Design RV
11356 CR 2
Middlebury, IN 46540
574-825-9679

 

[newbold1]

How can they say the Reflection fifth wheel "remained functional" when tested at zero degrees? The truthful answer would be that it remained functional except for the plumbing / water system which has to be disabled.

 

[Ynot4me2]

That would really be a show stopper for a lot of us. Also why 39f, doesn't freeze at 32f.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

 

[newbold1]

That would really be a show stopper for a lot of us. Also why 39f, doesn't freeze at 32f.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

They claim 39 degrees due to the potential for frost causing an issue. At least that is what the manual indicates. This winter I am going to see if I can manage to keep the RV basement warm enough to prevent any issues. We usually stop using the RV once the weather gets into the 20s at night. In late Sept / early Oct we will be camping in Wyoming for a couple weeks and while the days should be mild we will likely have some evenings where the temps are in the low 30s and high 20s. This will be a good test. If we have issues then I suppose in the Spring of next year I will be looking into swapping out that tankless water heater. I'll either get a tankless one that has freeze protection built into it or else revert back to a 6 gallon or 10 gallon tank heater... which we are accustomed to having anyway.

 

[pnoetzel]

They claim 39 degrees due to the potential for frost causing an issue. At least that is what the manual indicates. This winter I am going to see if I can manage to keep the RV basement warm enough to prevent any issues. We usually stop using the RV once the weather gets into the 20s at night. In late Sept / early Oct we will be camping in Wyoming for a couple weeks and while the days should be mild we will likely have some evenings where the temps are in the low 30s and high 20s. This will be a good test. If we have issues then I suppose in the Spring of next year I will be looking into swapping out that tankless water heater. I'll either get a tankless one that has freeze protection built into it or else revert back to a 6 gallon or 10 gallon tank heater... which we are accustomed to having anyway.

I certainly would have NEVER purchased a 2021 311 BHS had I known the deception of the Artic package and tank heater’s for cold weather living.
I think that Grand Design will be needing to replace Tankless with our traditional electric/ gas hot water heater.
My unit is in the shop for numerous flaws and this will add to the frustration.
Very disappointed

 

[newbold1]

I'll post my cold weather results with this tankless water heater after I have some experience with it. Hopefully, I'll find that the basement warmth keeps it working in temps lower than 39 degrees and maybe even a bit below freezing temps. I think that would be some good news for those of us that have this water heater and worry about whether it will be a problem or not.

 

[newbold1]

I certainly would have NEVER purchased a 2021 311 BHS had I known the deception of the Artic package and tank heater’s for cold weather living.
I think that Grand Design will be needing to replace Tankless with our traditional electric/ gas hot water heater.
My unit is in the shop for numerous flaws and this will add to the frustration.
Very disappointed

Sorry to hear you're dealing with a number of problems and this is yet another one.

I don't know whether you have tried your unit out in cold weather with the tankless water heater. I am going to be doing that soon and will be posting my findings afterward. Hopefully, I may find that the basement heat is sufficient to allow for lower than that stated 39 degree limit and if so maybe that will relieve you of one issue. Depending on how cold you go with your RV.

 

[pnoetzel]

Sorry to hear you're dealing with a number of problems and this is yet another one.

I don't know whether you have tried your unit out in cold weather with the tankless water heater. I am going to be doing that soon and will be posting my findings afterward. Hopefully, I may find that the basement heat is sufficient to allow for lower than that stated 39 degree limit and if so maybe that will relieve you of one issue. Depending on how cold you go with your RV.

That below freezing information would be good to have. Too many nights go at or below freezing, then into the 50/60 temperature range during the day as we camp in the SW during the winter.
Also, I need to get more information on the bypass, the red knob on the PS1 used to be the bypass switch.
Thanks for the information

 

[newbold1]

So, although the Furrion tankless water heater doesn't have any bypass valves installed on it, the red knob on the Nautilus P1 takes care of it. Turning the knob sideways cuts the water flow from going to the water heater. So, at least bypassing is not an issue.

 

[mbergthold]

Remember that for the holding tanks to get any warm air through the ducting, you have to run the propane heater. IMO that's expensive and short-lived with 40# tanks. I've run out of propane at 2am with 40#ers, and learned quickly that electric heaters were the way to go, so the 20#ers that GD is sending many models out the door with today are, IMO, a joke. Our plan is to either stay home during cold spells or install electric heating pads on all 4 tanks. From the looks of my honey-do list, we'll be staying home.

 

[newbold1]

Remember that for the holding tanks to get any warm air through the ducting, you have to run the propane heater. IMO that's expensive and short-lived with 40# tanks. I've run out of propane at 2am with 40#ers, and learned quickly that electric heaters were the way to go, so the 20#ers that GD is sending many models out the door with today are, IMO, a joke. Our plan is to either stay home during cold spells or install electric heating pads on all 4 tanks. From the looks of my honey-do list, we'll be staying home.

Fortunately my holding tanks already have electric heating pads on them. I plan to run the electric heater in the basement just because the propane heat can get way too hot inside the RV living area. That said, I figure with the use of some propane heat, electric tank heater pads, and a small electric heater in the basement too, I should be able to keep things warm enough down there to avoid any serious issues with the tankless water heater. I expect the coldest outdoor weather I'll be camping in is about 20 degrees. Beyond that, we will definitely have wrapped up our camping season and winterize the RV.

Hopefully, the tankless water heater won't end up being a problem or the weak link in colder weather usage. If these measures do not work I suppose I will end up replacing the tankless water heater with a regular tanked water heater like I've always had in the past.

 

[Wheelertm]

Just read the thread on the Furrion tankless hot water heater. We have a new 2022 303rls. The heater body is located under the hutch last cabinet door. I opened it up this AM and there is plenty of room for a small electric heater or heat lamp. We winter in central FL where it will dip below 39 on a few occasions. I will try the a lamp and keep the cabinet door open on chilly nights.

 

[Greyhound]

Took delivery of our fourth 5th wheel in April, a 337RLS. It also has the Furrion Tankless water heater and we've used it in temperatures as low 35 F. We've found if we are city water then the system works great with an endless supply of hot water. When dry camping the Furrion system works great in the shower and bathroom sink, but is very intermittent in the kitchen. It seems the heater cuts in and out too much. Anyway going back to dealer at the end of season for a couple minor warranty things, but other than that we are very happy with the unit.

 

[MAiman]

I’m not too happy about the water heater not being good for less than 39 degrees either.
But I just read on their website that they are only good up to 4500 feet above sea level without a software change. We have to contact them to find out how to do this. Why would they not put this in the manual.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

But I just read on their website that they are only good up to 4500 feet above sea level without a software change. We have to contact them to find out how to do this. Why would they not put this in the manual.

Maybe they just found out....

 

[RPAspey]

I've been following the temperature issue as it's a big concern for us. We start our camping season when temps are below freezing and most of the time end it in November when the temps are just as cold. I'm thinking about adding a heater inside the cover of the hot water heater. I haven't gotten to the actual process yet, but here's what I'm looking at: a thin silicone heater pad. Possibly inside the cover somewhere. I'll let everyone know what I come up with. It isn't ideal but if it works, great.

 

[Second Chance]

I've been following the temperature issue as it's a big concern for us. We start our camping season when temps are below freezing and most of the time end it in November when the temps are just as cold. I'm thinking about adding a heater inside the cover of the hot water heater. I haven't gotten to the actual process yet, but here's what I'm looking at: a thin silicone heater pad. Possibly inside the cover somewhere. I'll let everyone know what I come up with. It isn't ideal but if it works, great.View attachment 36372

Just keep in mind you'll still have to drain/winterize the water heater for towing to/from your camping locations.

Rob

 

[RPAspey]

Just keep in mind you'll still have to drain/winterize the water heater for towing to/from your camping locations.

Rob

Or just turn on my inverter...

 

[Second Chance]

Or just turn on my inverter...

Check on the current draw of any resistive heating elements.

Rob

 

[RPAspey]

Check on the current draw of any resistive heating elements.

Rob

Yep I understand. There is a range of wattages and sizes for those pads. It would only need to be 25 to 50 watts from my educated guess. Wouldn't take much to raise the inside of the water heater 10-15 degrees. There's room on the right side and behind the stiffening plate on the front.