RV Water Use Knowledge and Awnlux Solar Awning's New Water-Saving Idea

Introduction: Why is RV life inseparable from the balance of "water and electricity"?

The allure of RV life lies in taking your family on the road. You can camp in the wilderness or stay at a well-equipped campground. However, every veteran RVer knows that water and electricity are two of the most precious resources. Without water, daily cleaning, cooking, and washing become difficult; Without electricity, lighting, refrigerators, air conditioners, and water heaters all fail.

Extending your stay in remote areas with limited water and electricity is a key topic for RV travel, especially in remote areas . This article will explore how to achieve longer periods of comfort while traveling outdoors by focusing on RV water systems and incorporating the innovative features of the Awnlux SA5710 solar awning .

1. RV Water System Science: Where Does Water Come From and Where Does It Go?

The water supply system of an RV usually includes the following parts:

RV Fresh Water Tank

Store clean water, the capacity is generally 80-150 liters (medium-sized RVs), and some large RVs can reach more than 200 liters .

Primary sources include: campsite water filling stations, municipal water pipes, and portable buckets/totes.

RV Grey Water Tank

Collect kitchen and bathroom drainage (such as dishwater and bath water).

The capacity is usually close to that of the solution tank.

RV Black Water Tank

Specially designed to handle toilet sewage.

Common capacities are 40–60 litres .

RV Water pump and piping system

Pumps water from the solution tank to faucets, shower heads, and water heaters.

Commonly used voltage is 12V, and the power consumption is low.

Conclusion : Without refilling, a medium-sized RV can maintain clean water for approximately 2–4 days , depending on water use habits.

2. Daily water consumption reference for RVs (taking a medium-sized RV as an example)

Usage scenarios	Water consumption per time	Remark
do the washing up	5–10 L	It is recommended to wipe the dishes first to reduce the amount of water used for rinsing
Take a shower (quickly)	20–30 L	If you turn on the water heater, you will consume additional electricity.
Kitchen cooking/cleaning	3–5 L	Mainly used for washing vegetables and cooking
Toilet flushing	1–2 L/time	Biodegradable toilets reduce flushing volume
Drinking/making coffee	2–3 L	per person per day

based on the daily needs of a family of three :

Daily water consumption ≈ 30 –100 L

RV Fresh water tank 100 L : 

Water usage patterns	RV Daily water consumption (L)	Support days (100L clean water tank)	Features	Water-saving tips
Saving Mode	30–40 L	2.5–3 days	Suitable for short-distance or thrifty users	- Use a spray shower - Use a basin to collect water for brushing teeth/washing vegetables - Use the minimum flush volume for the toilet
Standard Mode	50–70 L	About 2 days	Common in ordinary families	- Take 1–2 quick showers per person - Wash dishes with a small amount of hot water and then dry them - Avoid running the tap for long periods of time
High water usage mode	90–100 L	About 1 day	Multiple people or high comfort requirements	- Full shower per person per day - Frequent cooking and cleaning - Almost no water conservation measures

3. Water-saving challenge: Why is "electricity" also closely related to "water use"?

In an RV, water conservation isn't just about reducing waste; it's also closely tied to electricity .

RV Hot water supply: Most water heaters require either electric or gas heating. Electric heating consumes about 1–1.5 kWh of electricity for a shower.

Camper Water pump operation: Relying on 12V electricity to continuously pump water. Although the power consumption is small per time, it accumulates over a long period of time.

Caravan Washing dishes/rinsing: If used with an electric water heater, it will result in double consumption (water + electricity).

Therefore, when electricity is insufficient , users tend to reduce their use of hot water, which in turn affects their daily water comfort.

4. Awnlux SA5710: Dual protection of RV sunshade and water saving

The Awnlux SA5710 integrates flexible CIGS photovoltaic modules into RV awnings, achieving both shading and power generation. It provides 2–5 kWh of electricity daily , meeting the needs of various RV equipment, including lighting, water pumps, refrigerators, and water heaters. Stable power ensures constant water pressure in the water pump, continuous water supply to the water heater, and efficient operation of kitchen appliances, reducing waste caused by fluctuating water levels, repeated draining, and waiting . It can also power small water purifiers and mini washing machines, helping users achieve safer and more efficient water management even with limited water resources.

"Every additional 1kWh of electricity saves 8-10L of RV fresh water (less cold water in the water heater + constant pressure in the water pump) "

Daily power generation (kWh)	Supported devices	Water-saving effect
1–2 kWh	Water pumps, lighting, small appliances	The water pump maintains constant pressure and flow to avoid waste caused by fluctuations
2–3 kWh	Refrigerator, laptop, Wi-Fi	Kitchen appliances operate efficiently, reducing extra water use during washing/cooking
4–5 kWh	Water heaters, some air conditioners	The water heater continuously supplies water, avoiding repeated water draining and temperature testing; staying outdoors for a long time reduces the frequency of water withdrawal.

5. Case Study: How Awnlux Helps Extend Dwell Time

Case 1: Camping in the California Desert

Pain points : Scorching sun + scarcity of campsites → Water and electricity shortages

Solution : The Awnlux awning generates 4 kWh of electricity per day, which is enough to power the refrigerator, water purifier, and water heater, extending the trip from 2 days to 4 days.

Case 2: Colorado Mountain Hiking

Pain point : Large temperature difference at night, requiring hot water and lighting

Solution : SA5710 Power Solar RV awning provides hot water and lighting electricity, saving gas and diesel and reducing extra weight.

6. Future Trend: Smart Hydropower Management + Solar Energy Integration

American RV owners are increasingly pursuing smart and sustainable RVs :

Smart water level monitoring → reminds users to save water

Solar integrated accessories → awnings, roof panels, portable power interconnection

Combine water and electricity saving → maximize outdoor independence

Awnlux's strategy : Through solar awnings + localized service network , it helps users achieve a freer outdoor living experience while balancing water and electricity consumption.

Conclusion

Water and electricity are at the heart of RV life. By scientifically understanding the RV water system, combined with the 2–5 kWh of electricity provided daily by the Awnlux SA5710 solar awning, users can significantly extend their outdoor time while maintaining comfort. In the future, as technology and concepts continue to evolve, conserving both water and electricity will become the new norm for RV travel.

For more product details, please visit the official website of Awnlux.