Few things are more frustrating than turning on the tap in your caravan and finding there’s no hot water—especially after a long day of travel or exploring. Unfortunately, caravan water heater not working is one of the most common complaints among caravan owners. Whether you're relying on gas, electricity, or both, problems with caravan hot water systems can quickly put a dampener on your trip.
With multiple components including valves, switches, heating elements, and plumbing connections, it can be tricky to pinpoint exactly what's going wrong. The good news? Many issues can be resolved with a few straightforward checks.
In this guide, we break down the process of troubleshooting your caravan's hot water system into three simple steps. Whether your caravan hot water is not working entirely or is only producing lukewarm water, this step-by-step approach can help you identify the problem and possibly fix it yourself. If the issue persists or seems more complex, it’s best to consult a licensed technician to avoid further damage or safety risks.
Is Your Caravan Water Heater Not Working? Start by Checking the Gas or Electrical Supply
When your caravan hot water is not working, one of the most common culprits is a disruption in the gas or power supply. Whether your system runs on electricity, gas, or both, any failure in these supply lines can lead to problems with caravan hot water systems.
If you’re using a gas caravan water heater, start by checking if your other gas appliances—like your stove or fridge—are functioning correctly. If they’re also not working, the issue may be with the gas supply itself. Check your regulator pressure; it should be around 2.8kPa. If the pressure is fine but your caravan water heater is not working, look for physical obstructions in the gas line leading to the burner. Wasps, spiders, or dirt can often block the pipe, preventing gas flow. A simple clean-out with compressed air might do the trick.
In rare cases, the burner assembly may be blocked with excess carbon build-up or debris, which again can be cleaned with compressed air. We do recommend visiting or contacting your local certified gas fitter to perform all inspections for fault finding.
If you're using an electric caravan water heater, ensure the power source is connected and functioning. Tripped circuit breakers, loose wiring, or blown fuses are all common reasons your caravan hot water is not working.
Ongoing Maintenance Tip: For electric hot water systems, check that the electrical connection is in order. For gas hot water systems you should be checking that the lines are free from damaged and all fittings are snug.
Caravan Hot Water Not Working? Check the Water Supply Line
If your caravan water heater is not working properly, it might not be getting the water it needs to function. Problems with caravan hot water systems are often caused by issues in the water supply line, so this is a crucial step in your troubleshooting process.
Start by switching off your caravan’s hot water system. Most systems—especially dual-mode gas/electric models—have switches located under the kitchen sink. You’ll usually see one or two rocker switches here. Also, turn off the water pump using the corresponding switch, typically found nearby. There should be a light indicating whether it’s on or off, but you can also turn on a tap and listen to confirm if the pump is running. Once you’re sure it’s off, close all taps and move on to check the supply line.
Head to your caravan’s utilities bay and locate the water heater bypass valve or lever. This must be in the ‘normal’ position—not the ‘bypass’ position. The bypass setting is designed to route water around the hot water system, usually used when winterising your van or if you're not heating water. If it's accidentally left in this mode, your caravan hot water won’t work, no matter what you do.
Now, turn a tap back on and compare the pressure of the hot and cold water. The flow should be similar from both. If the hot water is significantly weaker—or just not heating—it could indicate a blockage or an issue within the water line itself. Don’t forget to check any outdoor showers or auxiliary taps. If left partially open, they can cause cold and hot water to mix, leading to lukewarm water coming out of your taps—making it seem like your caravan hot water system is not working when it’s actually a simple plumbing issue.
Ongoing Maintenance Tip: Keeping your water tank/ water supply clean and free of debris is a key factor to keeping your hot water system working when you need it most. Flushing your water lines and your hot water tanks regularly will prevent build-up of residue which can cause problems later on down the track.
Still No Hot Water? Check the Thermostat and Heating Element
If your caravan hot water is not working even after confirming gas, electricity, and water supply are all in order, the issue may lie within the hot water system itself. One of the most common internal problems with caravan hot water systems is a faulty thermostat or broken heating element.
Start by checking the fuse or circuit breaker for the water heater. If the fuse is fine but your caravan water heater is not working, the thermostat could be the issue. A failed thermostat means the system isn’t being told when to heat the water. This is especially common in older units or those exposed to fluctuating temperatures.
For dual-mode caravan hot water systems (gas and electric), another common issue is the heating element. If your hot water works on gas mode but fails in electric mode, chances are the heating element is burnt out. The good news? These are relatively minor repairs. Both thermostats and heating elements are affordable and widely available, and replacing them can often restore full functionality to your system.
Ongoing Maintenance Tip: Most caravan hot water systems will have a sacrificial anode installed. Water inside the systems tanks can become corrosive. This anode keeps the water cleaner and extends the tanks life. These need to be inspected regularly and replaced periodically.
Hot Water in the Kitchen But Not in the Bathroom?
Another common complaint among caravan owners is having hot water in one tap but not another. If you’ve got scalding water at the kitchen sink but cold showers in the bathroom, the likely cause is a faulty tempering valve—a known contributor to caravan hot water not working properly in certain areas of the van.
In most caravans, the bathroom hot water line is fitted with a tempering valve that regulates temperature to between 30°C and 50°C for safety. If the valve fails, it can block or mismanage hot water flow entirely. Tempering valves are often located under the van or next to the water heater and look like a brass cross with a coloured dial.
Thankfully, this is another quick fix. You can easily purchase a replacement tempering valve and either install it yourself or get it fitted by a plumber or RV technician.
Installing a Caravan Hot Water System: Tips to Avoid Future Issues
If you haven’t yet installed your caravan hot water system but want to avoid the common problems with caravan hot water systems down the track, keep these tips in mind. First, choose a system that suits your setup—consider your van’s power sources (gas, electric, or both), available space, and water usage needs. During installation, ensure all water and gas connections are sealed properly and that the unit is mounted securely. Use a qualified technician for gas or 240V installations to comply with safety regulations. Proper placement of the unit—ideally close to your main water outlets—can also help improve efficiency. Lastly, install a tempering valve and check that bypass valves are correctly positioned to prevent the frustrating issue of caravan hot water not working later on. Taking the time to install it right the first time can save you costly repairs and cold showers in the future.
Learn more about Caravan Hot Water Systems with our complete guide here or watch an installation video done by our friends below.
If your caravan hot water is not working, don’t panic—many issues can be resolved with a few simple checks. From gas and electrical supply problems to water line blockages and faulty internal components, this guide has covered the most common problems with caravan hot water systems. However, if none of the above steps restore your hot water, it’s time to call in a professional to avoid causing further damage or safety hazards.
Final Tip: If your caravan water heater is not working and repairs are starting to add up, it might be worth upgrading to a modern solution. Have you seen the latest Instant Hot Water Systems for Caravans? These are especially popular for those travelling during colder months and offer fast, efficient heating on demand. Check out our full range of caravan hot water systems here and find the perfect fit for your setup.
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DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
Comments (75)
Suburban IW60
My Suburban IW60 Tankless Hot Water Heater has been dumping water from the drain valve outlet (not the relief). If I rotate the valve 1/4 turn to full open and then to close, it stops, but later when using again, it will dump. Is it the valve has just failed or is it the anti-freeze control affecting it? I run the water temp at around 45 degrees Celsius. Can't seem to find any information on this online. The inlet is clear and there doesn't appear to be any calcium build up in the system. Thoughts?By: Bruce McIntee on 28 May 2025
www.caravanrvcamping.com.au Response
The NAUTILUS RL (IW60RL) On-Demand Water Heater has built-in FREEZE PROTECTION and will intermittently cycle the burner when the water temperature has fallen below 4°C. This intermittent cycling will continue until the water temperature has risen above 10°C. To provide this freeze protection, the gas supply must be on and available, and electrical power must be on and available. If the On-Demand Water Heater is dripping water into the drain line, in cold weather when the water supply temperature is below 3°C and does not stop when the water temperature rises above 3°C, call your local service centre . The valve may be disable by turning the needle valve located on the front of the On-Demand Water Heater 5 and ½ turns clockwise. Closing the valve will disable the mechanical freeze protection feature. The water system must be drained when not in use to avoid damage caused by ice expanding in water lines if valve is closed.
Hot water cutting out
I have a camec instant gas only hot water heater it has worked fine until yesterday starts up heats the water but then cuts out will not stay running have power at unit I did swap gas bottles still not workingBy: Mark blackaby on 28 April 2025
www.caravanrvcamping.com.au Response
Hi Mark, if you purchased the unit from us the next step would be to contact us with your proof of purchase, images of the unit, it's serial number and an fault codes you are getting. We can then lodge a warranty claim for you.
Gas hot water service
Having a issue with water heater on gas When you start it up on gas the system ignites but then cuts out and goes back to the start modeBy: Bryan Reeve on 04 April 2025
www.caravanrvcamping.com.au Response
Hi Bryan, there could be multiple issues at play here, as it is a gas appliance we do recommend visiting your local certified gas fitter to perform all inspections for fault finding.
No Hot Water at the tap.
I have Gas, checked, heater is on, I have also tried hot water using 240v system. I felt heat at mixer valve but I don't have heat at the tapBy: GARY on 27 March 2025
www.caravanrvcamping.com.au Response
Hi Gary, it seems like the tempering valve might be faulty or blocked. If you swap this out, it should solve your issues.