The Furrion tankless water heater provides endless hot water in your RV, but it’s important to know how to operate and maintain it properly. In this guide, we cover safety checks, startup steps, annual maintenance, and winterization tips to keep your water heater performing like new.

Hey Happy Campers!

Todd here from Great American RV SuperStores, and today we’re looking at the Furrion tankless water heater, a compact and efficient system that gives you endless hot water on demand.

We’ll go over:

• Power and fuel setup
• Key safety checks
• Operation and controls
• Maintenance and winterization tips

Let’s get started.

Power and Propane: How the System Works

Your Furrion water heater operates on 12-volt power and propane gas.

• 12 volts powers the control board and igniter.
• Propane does the actual water heating.

If you’re dry camping, your battery supplies that 12V power.
If you’re plugged into shore power, your converter keeps the battery charged so the water heater can operate normally.

The low-voltage cutoff is around 10 volts. Once the battery drops below that, the heater won’t fire up until voltage is restored.

Propane Safety Checks

Because the Furrion runs on LP gas, make sure to:

• Have a yearly propane leak check done by a qualified technician.
• Confirm your LP detector inside the RV is functional and not expired.

These steps help ensure safe operation every season.

Accessing the Water Heater

To open the exterior panel, pull the small tab and lift the door off the two bottom posts.

Inside the door, you’ll find:

• A 10-amp blade fuse for over-current protection.
• The main power switch (must be ON for the system to run).

If you’re not getting power to the interior control panel, check that fuse and switch first.

Behind the door, you’ll see the control board, exhaust flue, and small copper heat exchanger tank.
There’s also a fan that exhausts combustion gases. If the fan fails, the system will automatically shut down as a safety measure.

Always make sure the flue is clear of dirt, debris, or insect nests before operating. A blocked exhaust can prevent ignition or cause the system to fault out.

Water Flow and Safety Components

• The water control knob adjusts the inlet flow. Normally, it should stay at maximum flow, but in freezing weather, you can turn it down as recommended in the owner’s manual.
• The high-pressure relief valve protects against overpressure and should be tested yearly.
  • Twist the top of the valve five times clockwise and check that water exits through the overflow tube.
• The temperature sensor and flame sensor automatically shut the unit down if it overheats or the flame goes out.

Basic Maintenance

Clean the Inlet Screen

1. Make sure the system is off and the water is cool.
2. Relieve system pressure by opening a hot water faucet.
3. Remove the black plastic inlet cap at the bottom of the unit.
4. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove the screen filter inside.
5. Rinse the screen clean and reinstall it snugly.
6. Pressurize the system and check for leaks.

This quick cleaning prevents clogs and maintains good flow.

Draining and Winterizing

When winterizing, you have two options:

1. Drain and Blow Out with Air:
   • Open the brass drain port at the bottom.
   • Close all faucets and use air pressure (no more than 50 PSI) to blow out remaining water.

1. Fill with Antifreeze:

1. • Close the drain port.
   • Run RV antifreeze through your water system if you don’t have a bypass kit.

To dewinterize, open the drain, flush with fresh water, and let the hot water run for a few minutes to remove any remaining antifreeze.

Exceeding 50 PSI during blow-out can damage internal seals or fittings. Always stay within the limits recommended by Furrion.

Freeze Protection

Certain Furrion models have a built-in freeze protection feature.
At around 43°F, the system automatically turns on and circulates warm water to prevent the copper tank from freezing, but only if the water heater is powered on and has good 12-volt power.

If your model doesn’t include this feature, take extra precautions in cold weather because the copper tank can split if it freezes.

Seal and Exterior Check

Inspect the sealant around the water heater frame annually.
Look for cracks, peeling, or insect nests near the exhaust flue, and reseal as needed to prevent moisture intrusion or airflow issues.

Inside Controls and Operation

Inside your RV, you’ll find a simple wall-mounted control panel.

• Power Button: Turns the system on or off.
• Temp Adjustment: Use the up/down arrows to set your desired temperature.
• Display Icons:
  • Flame icon shows when the burner is active.
  • F or C toggles Fahrenheit or Celsius display.
  • Power icon confirms the system is live.

Once your faucet is turned on and the flame icon appears, the temperature will rise to your set point automatically.

Final Thoughts

The Furrion tankless water heater is a reliable, efficient system that delivers steady hot water with very little upkeep.
As long as you maintain propane safety, keep your inlet screen clean, and take care of winterization, this unit should last you for years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Furrion Tankless Water Heaters

Does the Furrion tankless water heater need 12-volt power to operate?

Yes. Even though propane provides the heat, the system will not function without 12-volt DC power. The control board, igniter, exhaust fan, and safety sensors all rely on 12V. According to the owner’s manual, if voltage drops below the minimum operating threshold (approximately 10V), the heater will not ignite 

This is why low batteries are one of the most common causes of “no hot water” complaints, especially when dry camping.

Why does my water heater shut off when multiple faucets are running?

The Furrion tankless system relies on water flow rate to regulate burner output. When too many fixtures are used at once, total flow may exceed the heater’s ability to maintain the selected temperature.

The manual notes that consistent temperature depends on maintaining proper flow through the unit. Reducing demand to one hot-water source at a time often resolves temperature fluctuation issues.

Can I adjust water temperature using the exterior control knob?

No. The exterior knob controls water flow, not temperature. Actual temperature is controlled exclusively through the interior wall-mounted control panel.

The owner’s manual specifies that the flow control knob should normally remain fully open except in cold-weather operation, where reduced flow can help stabilize temperature and prevent freeze-related issues 

Why does the water sometimes start cold, then get hot?

This is normal tankless behavior. Unlike traditional tank heaters, there is no stored hot water. The system must sense flow, ignite, and then bring water up to temperature as it passes through the copper heat exchanger.

The manual confirms a short delay before hot water reaches the faucet is expected, especially with longer plumbing runs 

What causes the heater not to ignite even with propane turned on?

According to the manual, common ignition failures include:

• Low 12-volt power
• Blocked exhaust or intake
• Tripped internal safety sensors
• Faulty or blown exterior 10-amp fuse
• Insufficient water flow

The exhaust fan must operate properly before ignition will occur. If the fan does not start, the control board will lock out the burner for safety reasons 

How often should the inlet screen be cleaned?

Furrion recommends inspecting and cleaning the inlet screen at least once per year, or more frequently if you camp in areas with hard water or sediment.

The manual clearly states that a clogged inlet screen can reduce flow enough to prevent ignition or cause erratic temperature regulation 

Is the pressure relief valve required, and should it be tested?

Yes. The high-pressure relief valve is a required safety device. The manual instructs owners to test the valve annually by rotating the cap and verifying water discharge through the drain tube.

Failure to maintain the relief valve can lead to internal damage or unsafe pressure conditions 

Can I winterize the Furrion tankless water heater with antifreeze?

Yes, but it must be done correctly. The manual allows antifreeze winterization only after the unit has been properly drained.

If antifreeze is introduced without draining first, it can trap water inside the copper heat exchanger, increasing the risk of freeze damage 

Does freeze protection work if the RV is unplugged?

Freeze protection, when equipped, only functions if:

• The water heater is powered ON
• 12-volt power is present
• Water is available in the system

The manual specifies that freeze protection activates around 43°F, but it cannot protect the unit if power is lost or the system is turned off 

Can high air pressure damage the water heater during winterization?

Yes. The manual explicitly warns not to exceed 50 PSI when blowing out the water system.

Excessive air pressure can damage seals, fittings, or internal components of the heater 

Why does the heater shut down mid-use?

Automatic shutdowns are usually caused by:

• Flame loss
• Over-temperature condition
• Insufficient airflow
• Voltage drop
• Inadequate water flow

Watch the Full Video Walkthrough

For a complete step-by-step demonstration, check out our Great American RV YouTube channel and find the episode in our Hap’s Helpful Hacks playlist.

Need Help or Have Questions?

If your tankless water heater isn’t working correctly or you’d like help with maintenance or winterization, stop by any Great American RV SuperStores location.
Our team is always happy to walk you through it and get you back to enjoying your RV.

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Here at Great American RV SuperStores, we bring the how-to to you.

*This content is not a legal standard or regulation, and does not create any new legal obligation. It is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist and educate consumers in the use and enjoyment of their recreational vehicles. Great American RV SuperStores does not hereby make any warranty, express or implied, and does not assume any liability with respect to the use of, or damages resulting from the use of any information, method or process included in this content.