The choice of air conditioner depends on the size and features of your vehicle:
How long is your motor home? Larger vehicles need a more powerful air conditioner or, in some cases, several units that are coordinated with each other.
Where can the air conditioner be installed? On the roof or in the storage area of your vehicle
Is your RV a dark colour and has large panorama windows? If so, it will heat up faster and therefore requires more cooling than a white vehicle with small windows.
How well is your RV insulated? For a new vehicle that is well insulated, it is generally enough to have one low-powered air conditioner.
When you’re buying an RV air conditioner, these personal preferences play an important role:
In which regions and at what times of year do you travel?
How many people will be travelling with you?
Do you cook often in the RV and does steam form?
Do you shower regularly in your RV, increasing the humidity?
Do you prefer air conditioning in the entire vehicle or only in the sleeping area?
To what temperature do you want to cool the vehicle?
Why do I need a RV Air Conditioner? Will a household air conditioner do the same job?
You need a unit that is built to withstand vibrations, constant movement, and other environmental factors that a Caravan air conditioner can easily deal with.
Furthermore, a caravan air conditioner also has to be big enough to cool an entire space – not just one room. This means that you need to purchase a unit that is rated at a minimum of 9,000 BTU. If your caravan is 12 feet wide or less, you can go for a 6,000 BTU model. If it’s bigger, you’ll need a higher rating.
Make sure that you select an air conditioner with a high CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating, as this will ensure that the unit can work hard and efficiently to cool down your caravan.
Types of RV Air Conditioners
Roof Mounted Air conditioners
If you are purchasing a brand-new caravan air conditioner and have the space, a roof-top air conditioner is a great choice. This allows you to maximise space and/or storage within the cabin.
Underbunk Air conditioners or Storage Box Airconditioners
Under bunk or Storage box air conditioners are installed in the storage space of your vehicle. The cool air is directed upward through ducts. Under bunk air conditioners are suitable when a Roof mounted air conditioners are not possible. For example, Pop top caravans and Small off-road camper trailers generally do not have the suitable structure to hold a roof-mounted air conditioner so an underbunk is an ideal solution.
12V Air Conditioner
A 12V air conditioner is a great option for those looking for an energy-efficient, portable solution. These units can run directly off the caravan’s battery or solar power system, making them ideal for off-grid camping. They are compact and typically used in smaller spaces or as a supplemental cooling system.
