Dometic XT RV Water Heaters

Shop Dometic XT RV water heaters for motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and other recreational vehicles. Dometic XT water heaters combine propane and electric heating with advanced mixing-valve technology to provide more usable hot water than a conventional RV water heater with the same physical tank size.

The Dometic XT lineup includes the WH-9GEA XT and WH-16GEA XT. The WH-9GEA XT uses a physical 6-gallon tank to provide the equivalent of approximately 9 gallons of usable hot water. The WH-16GEA XT uses a physical 10-gallon tank to provide the equivalent of approximately 16 gallons of usable hot water.

Current Dometic XT Water Heater Models

Dometic XT water heaters are available in two effective hot-water capacities:

• Dometic WH-9GEA XT with a 6-gallon physical tank and approximately 9 gallons of effective hot-water capacity

• Dometic WH-16GEA XT with a 10-gallon physical tank and approximately 16 gallons of effective hot-water capacity

Both models can heat water using propane, 120-volt AC electricity, or both energy sources when properly installed and supported by the RV’s control system.

Dometic WH-9GEA XT Water Heater

The Dometic WH-9GEA XT is a gas and electric RV water heater with a physical 6-gallon aluminum tank. Its XT mixing valve increases the amount of usable hot water by blending the heated tank water with cold water before it reaches the RV’s faucets or shower.

This system allows the WH-9GEA XT to provide the equivalent of approximately 9 gallons of hot water from a compact 6-gallon tank. Dometic states that the mixing valve provides approximately 33 percent more usable hot water than a conventional 6-gallon water heater.

The WH-9GEA XT features a 10,000 BTU propane burner, a 1,400-watt electric heating element, and electronic ignition. It is a practical option for RV owners who want longer showers or additional hot-water capacity without moving to a larger 10-gallon tank.

Dometic WH-9GEA XT product number: 9600024380.

Dometic WH-16GEA XT Water Heater

The Dometic WH-16GEA XT is a gas and electric RV water heater with a physical 10-gallon tank. Its thermostatic mixing valve increases effective hot-water output to approximately 16 gallons.

The WH-16GEA XT is designed for larger RVs, families, full-time travelers, and applications with greater hot-water demand. It provides more usable hot water for showers, dishes, cleaning, and multiple occupants without requiring a physical 16-gallon storage tank.

Because the WH-16GEA XT includes an additional mixing-valve assembly, it requires more installation depth than a conventional 10-gallon Dometic water heater.

Dometic WH-16GEA XT product number: 9600024393.

How Dometic XT Water Heaters Work

A conventional RV water heater stores water at a set temperature and sends that water directly to the faucets. A Dometic XT water heater heats the water inside the tank to a higher temperature and then uses a thermostatic mixing valve to blend it with cold water.

The blended water is delivered at a moderated temperature while increasing the total volume of usable hot water available from the tank.

This allows:

• A 6-gallon tank to provide approximately 9 gallons of effective hot water

• A 10-gallon tank to provide approximately 16 gallons of effective hot water

The larger number in the model name refers to effective hot-water output, not the physical capacity of the tank.

Benefits of a Dometic XT RV Water Heater

Dometic XT water heaters are designed for RV owners who want greater hot-water availability without installing a significantly larger tank.

Benefits include:

• More usable hot water from the same basic tank size

• Longer showers

• Gas and electric heating options

• Faster recovery when both heat sources are used

• Electronic ignition

• Lightweight aluminum tank construction

• No sacrificial anode rod required

• Compact alternative to a larger conventional water heater

• Models for both 6-gallon and 10-gallon installations

An XT model may be especially useful for families, full-time RVers, multiple occupants, and RV owners who regularly run out of hot water with a conventional tank.

Gas and Electric Dometic XT Water Heaters

Both Dometic XT models provide gas and electric operation.

Propane can be used while boondocking, dry camping, or traveling without shore power. The 120-volt electric heating element can be used when the RV is connected to campground power or a suitable generator.

Propane and electricity may also be used together to improve recovery time when simultaneous operation is supported by the installation and RV control system.

Although propane supplies the heat during gas operation, 12-volt DC power is still required for the electronic ignition, control board, gas valve, and safety components.

WH-9GEA XT vs. WH-16GEA XT

The main differences between the WH-9GEA XT and WH-16GEA XT are physical tank capacity, effective hot-water output, exterior opening size, and installation depth.

The WH-9GEA XT has a physical 6-gallon tank and provides approximately 9 gallons of effective hot water. It is suited to smaller and midsized RVs with a standard 6-gallon water-heater opening.

The WH-16GEA XT has a physical 10-gallon tank and provides approximately 16 gallons of effective hot water. It is intended for larger RVs and heavier hot-water demand.

Choose the WH-9GEA XT when installation space is limited or the RV currently has a 6-gallon water heater. Choose the WH-16GEA XT when greater capacity is needed and the RV has sufficient room for a larger and deeper unit.

XT vs. Conventional Dometic Water Heaters

Conventional Dometic water heaters provide approximately the same amount of hot water as the physical capacity of the tank. The WH-6GEA has a 6-gallon tank, while the WH-10GEA has a 10-gallon tank.

XT models use a mixing valve to increase effective output:

• WH-6GEA: 6-gallon physical and effective capacity

• WH-9GEA XT: 6-gallon physical tank with approximately 9 gallons of effective capacity

• WH-10GEA: 10-gallon physical and effective capacity

• WH-16GEA XT: 10-gallon physical tank with approximately 16 gallons of effective capacity

An XT model may be the better choice when additional usable hot water is more important than choosing the simplest or most direct conventional replacement.

A conventional model may be preferable when installation depth is limited, a mixing valve is not needed, or the goal is to closely match the configuration of an existing water heater.

Replacing an Older Atwood XT Water Heater

Dometic acquired Atwood’s RV water-heater product line, and current Dometic XT models may replace select older Atwood XT water heaters.

Older Atwood XT water heaters may have model numbers identifying a 6-gallon tank with 9 gallons of effective capacity or a 10-gallon tank with 16 gallons of effective capacity. However, compatibility should not be determined by capacity alone.

Before ordering a replacement, verify:

• Complete Atwood or Dometic model number

• Original product or SKU number

• Physical tank capacity

• Effective hot-water capacity

• Gas and electric operation

• Sidewall cutout dimensions

• Available installation depth

• Mixing-valve clearance

• Exterior access-door dimensions

• Propane connection location

• Hot and cold water-line locations

• 12-volt DC control wiring

• 120-volt AC wiring

• Interior gas and electric switches

• Required mounting brackets or adapter kits

A current Dometic XT water heater may require a new exterior door, adapter brackets, plumbing changes, wiring changes, or additional interior clearance when replacing an older Atwood unit.

Dometic XT Water Heater Dimensions

The Dometic WH-9GEA XT measures approximately 12.8 inches wide and high by 23.5 inches deep. Its recommended installation cutout is approximately 12.9 inches wide by 12.9 inches high by 24 inches deep.

The Dometic WH-16GEA XT measures approximately 15.8 inches wide and high by 25 inches deep. Its recommended installation cutout is approximately 16.3 inches wide by 15.8 inches high by 25.1 inches deep.

XT models require more depth than comparable conventional Dometic water heaters because of the mixing-valve system. Always measure the available interior space rather than checking only the exterior opening.

Do Dometic XT Water Heaters Need an Anode Rod?

Dometic XT RV water heaters use aluminum tanks and do not require sacrificial anode rods.

Use the manufacturer-specified drain plug rather than installing an aftermarket anode rod. The water heater should still be drained, flushed, inspected, sanitized, and winterized according to Dometic’s maintenance instructions.

Are Exterior Access Doors Included?

Dometic XT replacement water heaters may be sold without an exterior access door. A compatible door must be ordered separately when the existing door cannot be reused.

The WH-9GEA XT uses a door intended for the smaller 6-gallon opening. The WH-16GEA XT requires a larger door designed for the 10-gallon water-heater opening.

Door size, color, mounting hardware, and adapter-bracket requirements should be confirmed using the exact Dometic product number before ordering.

Find the Correct Dometic XT Water Heater

Browse our selection of Dometic XT RV water heaters to compare the WH-9GEA XT and WH-16GEA XT.

Choose the WH-9GEA XT for approximately 9 gallons of effective hot water from a compact 6-gallon tank. Choose the WH-16GEA XT for approximately 16 gallons of effective hot water from a physical 10-gallon tank.

For the most accurate replacement match, locate the data label on the existing Atwood or Dometic water heater. Record the complete model number and product number, then verify the dimensions, physical tank capacity, effective capacity, energy sources, wiring, plumbing, mixing-valve clearance, exterior door, and required installation components before ordering.