Can I operate my RV’s air conditioner continuously?
Without creating a problem, you can leave the air conditioner on continually in your RV. Set your thermostat a little lower if you want to use the air conditioner all day so that the compressor can still turn on and off. Most significantly, if you want to have the air conditioning on all day in your RV, you need to have enough of your power supply.
To give each unit a rest, if you have two, you can switch between the front and rear AC units.
Without a doubt, my setup needs air conditioning. Given how rapidly RVs, especially trailers, can heat up in the sun, I can’t image traveling during the summer without it.
AC units are common in RVs. It’s quite uncommon to find one that doesn’t. This article will address all of your concerns about running your air conditioner continuously, and I’ll even offer some advice on how to do it most effectively.
How Does RV AC Operate?
The purpose of an RV’s air conditioner is to cool the air within your RV. Ducted or ductless air conditioner units are two different types of AC systems that can be used to accomplish this.
Ductless air conditioning systems are typically seen in windows or on top of smaller motorhomes or RVs. Instead of using a ducted system, these just use one-way vents to blow cool air from the unit into the room.
RV AC systems with ducts in the ceilings are common in larger motorhomes with multiple AC units. Although ducted systems typically cost more money, they are also more effective and quieter. A compressor system is another name for a ducted system.
An RV air conditioning system operates as follows:
- In the compressor, heated and pressured gaseous refrigerant vapors are first produced. These vapors are fed into the evaporator after passing via a condenser.
- In the meantime, the heated air inside the RV is transferring heat to the evaporator. The air’s temperature decreases as it passes over the evaporator’s cool coils from this warm source of air.Ezoic
- Through vents, this cooled air is then blasted back into the interior of the RV. The cycle keeps repeating as the refrigerant flows back into the compressor.
- Through air circulation, desiccation, and dissipation, this procedure cools the interior of the RV. Additionally, the condenser and fans in the RV force some warm air outside.
How long can an AC be operated in an RV without risk?
As long as you have a reliable and sufficient power source, you can safely leave the AC on in your RV constantly, even all day. Either a powerful enough generator or a 30- or 50-amp hookup will be used for this.
It’s crucial to check that your power source can deliver enough beginning and running wattage. Your AC may not turn on or may shut off earlier than expected if your wattage is too low.
Remember that the air inside your RV can often only be cooled to a temperature that is roughly 20 degrees lower than the outdoors. Your RV can only cool off to roughly 80 degrees Fahrenheit if the temperature is expected to be over 100 that day.
How many Watts would my RV AC require to run continuously?
Make sure you have enough power supply to give sufficient wattage to start and run your RV air conditioning unit if you intend to leave it on all day. The BTU of your RV AC will determine this.
The British thermal unit, or BTU, gauges the amount of energy required by your air conditioner to remove heat from the air. Only roughly 1,700 watts will be needed to start and 600 watts to maintain a smaller, 7,000 BTU unit. However, 13,500–15,000 BTU AC units need about 3,000 watts to start up and 1250–1500 watts to run.
The “running wattage” that your AC unit requires is crucial to take into account because it enables the air conditioner to run continuously and preserve coolness within your RV.
Your RV’s temperature can be balanced and managed according to your preferences with the aid of your thermostat.
How Do I Make My RV AC Run Continuously?
The air conditioner in your RV is made to run on a temperature reading from outside air. So you should anticipate that your air conditioner will only be able to lower the air’s temperature by roughly 20 degrees compared to the outside air.
When setting your thermostat, bear this in mind, especially if you want to leave it on all day.
Follow these procedures to make your RV’s air conditioning run continuously:
- First, choose between “high cool” and “low cool” on your air conditioner. This modifies the airflow intensity and fan speed within the RV.
- Set the thermostat to “cool” or “cold” after that. Make sure it’s actually being cooled off because the “fan” setting merely draws in outside air without cooling it.
- Set the temperature to somewhere between 73 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The AC could freeze up if the temperature is set too low and the air is excessively humid.
Pro tip: Avoid setting the thermostat lower than 70 degrees because doing so could put the entire system at risk.
Get up early to switch on your air conditioner for more effective cooling. This will keep the interior of your rig from heating up too quickly and making the cooling process more difficult later.
Up until nighttime, your temperature will remain constant. The greatest time to lower the temperature on your thermostat is at night.
Is it acceptable to leave your RV’s air conditioning on all the time?
As long as you are plugged into a reliable power source, the air conditioner in your RV can run continually without risk. If you are utilizing a large enough generator or another suitable energy supply, your AC can run continuously without posing any issues. However, bear in mind that if you have a generator, your neighbors could find it annoying to hear it running all day.
Tips for Caravan AC Unit Maintenance
The average lifespan of an RV’s air conditioner is between 4 and 8 years. However, it can last longer if cared for and maintained properly.
Your RV’s AC unit can last longer with proper, regular maintenance. Here are 5 easy methods to prolong the life of your air conditioner:
- Open your roof vent when your AC is not in operation to allow the moisture to escape.
- Oil the fan in your air conditioner. This will improve the efficiency of both the fan and the entire device.
- Be sure to cover the AC unit when your RV is not in use or during the off-season. Invest in a high-quality cover, like as this one from Amazon, if you can. This will shield your air conditioner from precipitation, snow, UV rays, and other objects.
- A/C air filter cleaning. You should clean the filter at least once or twice a month, depending on how frequently you use the AC. If required, replacement filters are simple to locate online.
- Don’t overuse your air conditioner. So that it doesn’t have to work as hard, try to set the temperature a bit higher (75 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, don’t operate it continuously; only do so when necessary.
How to Maintain Cool in Your RV in the Summer
There are alternatives to running the AC nonstop to keep your vehicle cool when you’re off the road. Here are some recommendations to keep your camper cool this summer:
Park in a shady area. Try to at least ensure that your AC and refrigerator are shaded if you can’t find a location that will shade the entire vehicle.
Use window coverings or an awning. Your RV will retain less heat if you cover the windows with awnings or blinds. (Learn here whether curtains or blinds are preferable.)
Aim to cook outside. The entire RV will rapidly become warm if you cook inside, especially on the gas range. So consider grilling or using a gas burner outside rather than cooking every meal indoors.
Switch to LED lighting from incandescent. On a hot day, LED lights are significantly cooler and more effective. Additionally, LEDs have a longer battery life.
Shut the skylights. Skylights are a significant source of solar gain inside your RV, much like windows are. Cover them with a shade if you’re not going to use them for the light. Magnetic skylight covers are readily available and inexpensive on Amazon.
Significant Related Issues
How cold should an RV’s air conditioning get?
Most people can remain very at ease in an RV that is kept at 73 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, as was previously said, your AC unit can only effectively reduce the temperature inside your RV by roughly 20 degrees.
Can I Use Solar Energy to Run My AC?
If the solar panel is big enough, it can power an RV air conditioner. For a start-up, your AC unit can need more watts. For start-up, it is typically advised to use at least 3,500 watts, and for constant operation, 1,800 watts.
You will need a constant source of power if you plan to run the air conditioning in your RV all day. With solar power and battery banks, the majority of RV systems won’t achieve this.
Is it better to run my RV’s air conditioning during the day or at night?
There is no “best time” to use the AC in your RV. There is, however, a more “effective” time to begin using your air conditioner, particularly if you intend to leave it on all day.
It is better to switch on your air conditioner early in the morning, or even late at night, if you intend to use it continually on a hot day. In this manner, your RV can begin to cool down before the air inside gets too warm.
For my RV, what size AC do I need?
The size of the RV will determine the size of the air conditioning unit you’ll require.
If you want to get technical, use the calculation below to figure out what size AC unit your RV needs:
RV A=V/.416
- RV A is the size (or btu) of the RV air conditioner.
- The RV’s volume, V, is determined by multiplying the vehicle’s length, width, and height.
In other words, double the volume of the RV (length, width, and height) by.416.
13,500 and 15,000 BTUs are the two most popular sizes for RV air conditioner units. An RV will typically need between 60 and 80 BTUs per square foot to stay cool.
In plain English, smaller campers or motorhomes will stay cool with smaller air conditioners, whereas larger RVs will need larger air conditioners. Some larger vehicles include two air conditioners that may be switched between to reduce wear and tear.
Can I Run My RV’s AC on Battery?
Using the AC in your RV uses a lot of energy. Therefore, unless it’s a tiny unit that you only want to use for a short period, it is not advised to run your RV’s AC unit on batteries.
A 4,000 watt DC-to-AC power converter is another option for running the AC in your camper on batteries. The average RV’s inverter can only produce 2000 watts of power. However, some high-end RVs that include two or three air conditioners can already have a larger power inverter.
Final Thoughts on Using the AC All Day in an RV
We frequently try to save electricity by only running our air conditioners when we are inside our RVs. It is actually better for you and your AC to run it continuously, whether you are inside the rig or outside.
During startup, your air conditioner uses a lot of electricity. Additionally, it will use more energy to try to cool down a heated rig. Multiple daily turns off and on also use up more energy.
Start your air conditioner at night or in the early morning instead. In this manner, excess heat won’t have a chance to build up within your RV. If the rig starts out at a cooler temperature, your air conditioner will consume a lot less electricity to keep it cool.
To ensure optimal effectiveness and a longer lifespan, keep in mind the advice we provided before and do routine maintenance on your air conditioning machine.
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