Electric hot water in a caravan works on the same principle as a household electric kettle: a 240V heating element immersed in a water tank heats the water directly. It’s simple, reliable, and silent. The catch is obvious: it only works when you’re connected to 240V mains power at a caravan park, or running a generator. Off grid, it’s useless unless you have an inverter with enough battery capacity, which for most setups is impractical for hot water heating.
How It Works
A 240V element (typically 600W to 1,200W) heats water in a storage tank. A thermostat controls the element, switching it off when the water reaches temperature and on again when it cools. Heating time is slower than gas: a 10 litre tank takes 30 to 60 minutes from cold on electric alone. Once hot, the insulated tank maintains temperature for several hours.
Most caravan electric hot water is part of a dual fuel system. The Suburban SW6DEA ($600 to $900) is the most common factory fitted unit, with both a gas burner and a 240V element. The Truma UltraRapid ($800 to $1,200) offers faster electric heating. If your electric element fails, replacements are typically $30 to $60 for a Suburban element and are a straightforward DIY job.
When Electric Hot Water Makes Sense
At powered sites: Electric hot water is “free” (included in your site fee) and conserves your gas supply. If your system is dual fuel (gas and electric), switch to electric when plugged in.
Overnight heating: Switch the electric element on before bed at a powered site and you’ll have hot water ready in the morning without touching your gas.
As a backup: In dual fuel systems, electric provides a backup if your gas system has issues (blocked burner, empty bottles).
Limitations
No off grid capability: 240V electric hot water doesn’t work when free camping (without a generator or very large inverter/battery system). This is the primary limitation for Big Lap travel.
Slower heating: Electric elements take roughly twice as long as gas to heat the same volume of water.
Power circuit sharing: A 1,200W hot water element draws about 5 amps from the 240V circuit. At caravan parks with 10 amp or 15 amp outlets, running the hot water element simultaneously with an air conditioner, kettle, or microwave can trip the circuit breaker.
If your system is dual fuel, the best strategy is: electric at powered sites (save gas), gas off grid (no power needed). Some systems can run both simultaneously for faster heating, which is useful when you arrive at a powered site and want hot water quickly.
- Electric hot water only works at powered sites or with a generator. Not viable off grid.
- Slower than gas (30 to 60 minutes vs 20 to 30 minutes for a 10L tank) but conserves your gas supply.
- Use electric at powered sites, gas off grid. Dual fuel systems give you the best of both.
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