Roof-mounted air conditioners are the most common type of RV air conditioner, but there are other possibilities.
Several manufacturers, notably Winnebago, used to use basement-mounted AC units. It’s possible that some remain on the road.
In the future, mini-split systems will become increasingly popular because to their excellent efficiency and various installation possibilities. 12-volt systems are also gaining popularity.
Having said that, most RV air conditioners are roof-mounted.
How Do RV Air Conditioners Work?
120V AC (alternating current) devices have long dominated RV air conditioning. This implies that the rig must be either linked to a campground’s shore power pedestal or powered by a generator.
When you connect your RV to shore power, you’re bringing a source of 120V AC electricity into your RV to power your appliances and electronics exactly like you would at home.
Some rigs have enormous solar and battery banks (typically lithium) that can power 120V air conditioners from the 12V battery bank. However, the RV must include an inverter capable of converting the 12V DC electricity from your RV’s batteries to 120V AC power for usage with 120V appliances, such as an air conditioner.
DC-powered RV AC units are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative. These may operate solely on the 12V DC power stored in the batteries and do not require a connection to shore power, a generator, or an inverter. However, at the time of writing, they are best suited for smaller RVs.
This is due to their lesser output (often 7,000 – 10,000 BTU).
However, the selection of 12V AC units is expanding all the time, and 24V and even 48V variants are on the way!
RV Air Conditioner Types
Roof-mounted RV air conditioners come in a number of styles.
Let’s have a look at the many types of rooftop-mounted RV air conditioners:
Low Profile vs. Standard Profile
The primary distinction between a regular RV AC unit and a low-profile unit is height, as the name implies.
A standard air conditioner is taller than a low-profile air conditioner.
It’s worth noting that Dometic now offers a “mid-profile” model that sits midway between standard and low-profile models.
AC Units vs. Heat Pump Units
Typical RV air conditioners simply offer AC, however heat pump devices may reverse the air conditioning process.
This signifies that the heat pump is blowing warm air INTO the RV rather than out.
It’s worth noting that a standard AC-only unit may include a “Heat Strip” option, which means it has a heating element (similar to those found in small space heaters) that can be activated to allow the air conditioner to blow warm air instead of cold, with the built-in blower fan circulating air past the heating element. However, this is not the same as a heat pump.
Ducted vs. Non-Ducted
Non-ducted RV AC units are typically ceiling-mounted and provide a variety of ducting options for directing cold air into the living space.
A non-ducted style blows cold air into the RV’s interior through a huge lower vent situated right beneath the air conditioning unit. Warm return air is brought in from the same location. This vent is commonly known as a “chill grill.”
A non-ducted AC system is similar to a standard house window air conditioner in that it distributes cool air from a single spot in the RV.
Ducted RV AC is considered a higher-end system since it permits cool air to be distributed throughout the RV. The chilly air is distributed throughout the apparatus via vents, much like central air conditioning in a home.
This sort of RV air conditioning system is more commonly found in Class A motorhomes and high-end fifth wheels. Ducted systems transport air more evenly and fully, making them ideal for multi-zone settings found on bigger rigs.
An air conditioning system can be fully ducted (both the output and return air are ducted) or partially ducted (the outlet air is ducted but the return air is taken in through the vent/grill directly beneath the AC unit).
Because the airflow is funneled through ducts in the roof, ducted AC is usually quieter, but it can also be less efficient than a direct-flow unit.
See our full post on ducted vs non-ducted RV air conditioning for additional information.
12V Air Conditioners
As previously said, 12V RV air conditioners just require 12V energy to operate.
Because 12V DC power is accessible in your onboard battery bank, you can run a 12V AC item utilizing the power stored in your rig’s battery bank.
Air conditioners that run on 12V DC electricity employ highly efficient compressors that are specifically built to work with 12V current.
Realistically, 12V RV AC units present several issues because to the difference in voltage between 12V DC and 120V AC, as well as the lack of sufficient power to run them from a battery bank for an extended period of time. However, several are now on the market, and some individuals (with lots of DC power) find them to be a terrific solution.
We should mention that 12V RV AC units are often insufficient for bigger RVs, but they may work well for smaller rigs like a Class B if you have enough DC power (i.e. a large enough battery bank) to power the unit.
What Size Air Conditioner Does a Standard RV Have?
The cooling capability of AC systems vary, so keep this in mind when selecting an RV air conditioner.
AC output is measured in BTUs.
A typical RV has 13,500 BTUs, however higher-output units (15,000 BTUs), such as the Truma Aventa Comfort, are available. (For further details, read our Truma Aventa page.)
Choosing an RV Air Conditioner
The manufacturer provides an AC unit with many (if not most) RVs. If you need to replace that unit, your best chance is to acquire one that is similar in size, kind, and output (BTUs), because you already know what works with your rig’s electrical and physical configuration.
However, if you need to choose an AC unit for your RV or if you’re building an RV, here are some questions to ask:
- Is there room on your rig for an air conditioner?
- What is the source of the electricity that will power it?
- What is a reasonable cooling output (in BTUs) for your rig?
- What are the most efficient AC units of that capacity?
- Do you want a ducted or ductless system?
- Are you interested in aerodynamics? (Would you like a low-profile unit?)
- Do you want an air conditioner with a heat pump?
All of these are questions to think about when deciding which RV air conditioner is appropriate for your RV and your travel and camping style.
When utilized in conjunction with your RV air conditioning system, a soft-start can be extremely beneficial. We actually use (and adore!) the Micro-Air EasyStart.
See our post and YouTube video on the Micro-Air EasyStart for more information on this fantastic gadget that reduces the first power surge necessary to start an RV’s AC system.
If you’re looking for a Micro-Air EasyStart for the upcoming camping season, we’ll include a discount code below the video.
Can You Install a Portable Air Conditioner in an RV?
Yes! A portable air conditioner may absolutely be installed in an RV.
Portable variants are becoming increasingly popular among van campers. But, once again, the main issue is one of power. You must have enough electricity to run any type of AC unit, including a portable one.
Because an AC unit consumes a lot of power, it might be difficult to run an RV AC unit without shore power or a generator.
And if you’re wondering if you can run an RV air conditioner on solar power, we strongly advise you to read our post “Can I Run My RV Air Conditioner on Solar Power?”
Meanwhile, you can read our article on the best portable air conditioners for camping.
Just keep in mind that you must be able to power it (for as long as you require cooling) and vent it to the outside.
Spoiler alert: Unless you have a massive battery bank and charging mechanism, powering a portable AC machine would almost certainly require connecting to shore power or running a generator.
Is it safe to leave your RV’s air conditioner on all the time?
RV air conditioners are built to run continuously in hot conditions.
You can easily run your rig’s AC all day if you’re connected to 50A or 30A shore power, and many people do.
It’ll be difficult if you don’t have a regular source of power.
You could also run your generator all day, but depending on where you’re camping and how much extra gasoline you have, this may be inadvisable.
But, can you leave an RV AC unit running all day? Yes, you can… as long as you have the necessary power.
Popular RV Air Conditioner Manufacturers
Let’s take a look at the most popular RV air conditioner brands on the market today, as well as a representative unit from each manufacturer.
Dometic
Dometic offers roof, split, and under-bench air conditioners, as well as a variety of accessories.
The Penguin II, for example, is a low-profile (less than 10′′ height) type with 13,500 and 15,000 BTU outputs, available with or without a heat pump.
We have dual Dometic 15,000 BTU fully ducted units with heat pumps that are quite quiet and capable of efficiently keeping our 43′ motorhome cool in even the warmest temperatures.
Coleman-Mach
Coleman-Mach is another well-known brand in the RV air conditioning industry.
The Mach 15 is an excellent example of why RVers prefer Coleman-Mach units, as it provides some of the best cooling available for an RV. Because of its tremendous airflow, this unit is ideal for ducted systems in large RVs.
The Mach 15 has a 1/3 HP fan motor, the largest used in an RV AC system, and provides 320 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of cold air.
Furrion
Furrion is another well-known brand in the RV and marine industries, manufacturing high-quality air conditioning systems.
The Furrion Chill is offered in two sizes: 14,500 BTU and 15,500 BTU.
The 14,500 BTU unit is best suited for small to medium RVs and provides effective cooling at a low power amperage of 14.6 rated amps. It is appropriate for small RVs with a single air conditioner or medium-sized RVs with two air conditioners (but larger RVs with two units are more common).
The 15,500 BTU unit is intended for larger rigs, particularly those with only one unit (which, of course, must handle all of the cooling on its own).
RecPro
RecPro, a well-known brand in the RV sector, provides a diverse range of RV components, furniture, and appliances, including RV air conditioning systems.
RecPro’s 15,000 BTU non-ducted AC unit with heat pump, which provides both cooling and heating, is a favorite choice among RV owners.
This unit’s reviews praise it for its “set it and forget it” operation, which means you’ll use the supplied remote to select a temperature in your RV that’s most comfortable for you, and the unit will keep your RV at that temperature with its heating and cooling capabilities.
Truma
Truma is a well-known brand in RV equipment, and their efficient products are popular among RVers who like to boondock (like us!) to utilize their AC units and RV tankless water heaters. (We have a Truma AquaGo Comfort that we adore. It’s not exactly “tankless,” but rather “on-demand,” and it works fantastically!
When we first reported about the Truma Aventa, it was a highly sought-after unit that was only available on a few new RVs.
Truma has since made their 13,500 BTU Aventa Eco air conditioner available for aftermarket purchase in the United States.
This means that RVers searching for a quiet, highly efficient air conditioner can now replace an existing ducted or non-ducted rooftop AC with the Truma Aventa.
GE
GE has joined the RV air conditioning market with rooftop AC units, including the 15,500 BTU model mentioned below (model # ARC15AACW), which is reasonably priced.
There are currently no Amazon reviews for these units, but we’ve included a link for your convenience in case you wish to learn more. We always advise wise shoppers to do as much research as possible before purchasing pricey items such as an air conditioner.
How to Care for Your RV Air Conditioner to Keep It Cooling
Finally, we’d like to urge RV owners with AC systems to keep them in good working order so they can keep you cool for years to come.
First, read our post on RV AC maintenance and follow the instructions there.
In a nutshell, you should perform the following on a consistent basis:
- Inspect your air conditioner and remove any debris, such as leaves, dirt, and so on.
- Check your AC shroud for damage.
- Replace or clean your air conditioner filter.
- Inspect and clean the condenser and evaporator coils and fins for dirt and debris.
- Check the drain hole for any dirt or debris buildup and clean as needed.
- Examine the wiring for any loose or broken connections.
Again, we have instructions for all of the above and more in our RV AC maintenance page.
Maintaining your air conditioner will keep you and your RV cool!???
If your RV air conditioner is broken or you’re camping without one, we recommend reading our piece on how to stay cool in an RV without air conditioning.
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