If you plan to use a campervan during the summer months, keeping the interior of your vehicle cool will be one of your top priorities. On a hot day, parking in the shade and opening the windows may not be enough to keep your fan sufficiently comfortable. Fortunately, there are plenty of models and designs to choose from if and when you decide to acquire an air conditioner for your campervan. And if you’re not sure where to look, don’t stress, because Van Builder HQ is here to help!
In today’s guide, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the best air conditioner units for a campervan and provide you with all the information you need to make a decision. So, let’s get started!
Best air conditioner for a campervan
Top pick
Dometic RTX 2000
The Dometic RTX 2000 is praised for its efficiency, especially when running off a 12-volt system, making it ideal for off-grid power setups. It offers good cooling power (6,824 BTU) and runs quietly at lower speeds, ensuring comfort without too much noise.
How to choose the best air conditioner for your campervan
Starting your search for the right campervan AC unit can be a little daunting, as there are a lot of different factors you’ll need to consider. In the sections below, we’ll dive into the terminology you’ll need to be familiar with, as well as the specs to look for:
Efficiency
A heavy-duty AC unit will likely require shore power (i.e. you plug it into a fixed outlet connected to a power grid), which means that efficiency may not be your top concern. That said, if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, finding an air conditioning unit that doesn’t require a lot of power will still be a factor. Additionally, if you use a portable AC unit or you plan to cool your van using your own battery system, you’ll definitely want to make sure that you can run your entire system with as much electrical efficiency as possible.
Cooling capacity (BTU)
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, and the number of BTUs tells you how much cooling capacity an AC unit has. More specifically, the BTU measurement indicates how many units of heat your air conditioner is removing from the surrounding area and replacing with cool air. A higher number means a greater ability to cool your van. For example, an AC unit with a 5,000 BTU rating will have half as much cooling power as an AC unit with a 10,000 BTU rating.
Noise level
You’ll find that an air conditioner for a campervan or small RV can get pretty loud, with a noise range anywhere between 35 and 75 decibels. Depending on the location of the AC unit within your campervan, you may find that you need to take extra steps to enjoy a quieter, more peaceful experience (especially if you plan to run the AC while you sleep). You can get special AC silencers to reduce the noise, or you might consider insulating the unit itself.
Durability
Naturally, you don’t want an AC unit that’s going to give out after a year or two. Buying a trusted brand is one of the first steps to consider. But even with the best brand and model on the market, you’ll need to regularly clean and maintain your AC unit. Durability is ultimately a combination of the quality of your purchase, how you install it, and the care you put into maintaining it.
Design
The design of your air conditioner is key, as it will determine how well it fits in your van. If you’re limited on space and battery power, you may want to opt for a portable AC unit. On the other hand, if you plan to use shore power or you don’t mind handling a DIY install, you may want a more robust, fixed design.
Ease of installation
If you’re doing a DIY install, you’ll want to make sure that your AC unit is not overly complicated to set up. It’s also vitally important that you install your AC correctly. If there’s a template you can follow, this will help ensure you get an exact fit. Doing the installation right the first time will help because you need a seal to form between the AC unit and the roof of your van. This will increase the longevity of the installation and the air conditioner itself.
Types of campervan air conditioners
There are 3 main types of AC units for campervans: ducted, non-ducted, and rooftop units. In the sections below, we’ll go into greater detail about all three and link to a few popular options so you can learn more:
Ducted air conditioners
Ducted air conditioners are less common for campervans, as they consist of two separate units (interior and exterior). Even if you have a lot of space to work with, this may not be a good system for your particular needs. In any case, there are some high-quality ducted campervan air conditioners on the market, like the 12-Volt Cruise N Comfort system. The cooling part of this model is mounted inside the van, while the heat exchange is mounted outside.
Non-Ducted air conditioners
Non-ducted ACs are the most common, particularly for larger vans and RVs. Unlike ducted units, non-ducted air conditioners conceal the cooling output and heat exchanger in the unit itself. This design allows the unit to draw air directly from the interior of the van, cool it, and then blow it back out. These come in 12-volt and higher voltage models, though high voltage (like 120 volts) will require a shore power source. The Nomadic X3 and Dometic RTX 2000 are two popular 12-volt models to consider.
Rooftop air conditioners
While non-ducted air conditioners are technically an option, they would be hard to recommend for a campervan. These units are typically 120-volt and designed for Class A or C RVs. Trying to use one with a Class B RV or campervan would be difficult, as they can be quite large and cumbersome.
Powering a campervan air conditioner
How you plan to power your campervan air conditioner is something you’ll want to consider before making a purchase. If you frequent RV parks or have easy access to shore power, then you can probably consider a 120-volt AC unit that needs to be connected to a power source. Shore power AC units are often more affordable and don’t require you to think much about energy efficiency.
On the other hand, if you go “off the grid” a lot or simply don’t have regular access to shore power, you’ll probably want to get an AC unit that can run off your house battery system. While 12-volt AC units are typically pricier, they are also highly efficient by design. Since you’re using a direct 12-volt to 12-volt connection, there’s not the same conversion loss that you would experience inverting 12 volts to 120 volts. So, if you plan to run the AC off of your house battery system, you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting the best possible efficiency, and a 12-volt system is generally the best option.
How to maintain a campervan air conditioner
Propery campervan AC maintenance begins with the initial installation. As previously mentioned, you’ll want to ensure that it’s installed properly and that a seal can form between the AC and the roof of the van. In other words, you want to avoid leaks that will put unnecessary stress on your air conditioner.
Once you’ve installed the AC, you should follow three simple rules for proper maintenance:
- Check for leaks
- Clean the condenser coils
- Clean the filters
Ideally, you should get up on top of your campervan and check for leaks at least once a year. While you’re up there, you’ll also want to clean off the outside of the condenser coils. You won’t need to clean them off that often (once a year is best), but when you do, you should take off the lid of your AC unit, inspect the condenser coils, and clean them off with a standard cleaner made for household AC units. Most of these products come in the form of a spray that creates foam, allowing you to easily clean off pollen or anything else that has accumulated on the coils.
Moving to the inside of your van, you’ll want to clean your intake filters to ensure that your AC unit doesn’t freeze up. If the unit can’t get sufficient airflow, it won’t be able to defrost the coils. So, always make sure that your filters are clean and capable of bringing sufficient air into the unit.
Tips on how to keep your campervan cool
Whether or not you’re sold on a campervan air conditioner, you’ll still want to find ways to keep your van cool when it’s hot outside. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started:
- Install a Roof Vent Fan – A roof vent fan will help keep your van cool, especially when you’re on the move. This is a great option even if you do have an AC unit, as it can help reduce heat in the van before you turn on your air conditioner. This puts less strain on your AC unit and helps get your van cooler faster.
- Use Portable Fans – Portable fans can work as a great supplement to low-BTU air conditioners. A 12-volt portable fan can help circulate cold air better, ensuring that every corner of your campervan is cool, even if your AC doesn’t have a lot of cooling power.
- Consider Better Insulation – As you build your campervan interior, make sure that you’re using materials on virtually every surface that can help insulate your vehicle. The more insulation you have on the floor and the walls, the less work your AC unit has to do.
- Cover the Windows – Insulated window covers are a great option to prevent direct heat from coming into your campervan. This tip is doubly efficient, as you can prevent heat from getting in, which puts less pressure on your air conditioner, while also helping to cool your van down in less time.
FAQs
How quiet are campervan air conditioners?
This will vary based on the type of air conditioner you have. Ducted air conditioners tend to be the quietest, but you can also use AC silencers or insulation to reduce noise levels on noisier models. In general, you can expect a campervan AC to produce between 35 and 75 decibels of sound while it’s running.
What types of air conditioners are best for a camper van?
The answer to this question will depend on the application. Do you want a 120-volt system that requires shore power or a 12-volt AC unit that can run off your house battery system? The answer will help you pick the best type for your situation. Just remember, if you opt for a shore power model, you won’t be able to run it without access to a power source. That said, a 120-volt shore power AC unit will give you the most bang for your buck, as it will generally cost less and have a higher BTU rating. Alternatively, a 12-volt system will be much more efficient, but you may need to consider increasing your battery bank in order to run it.
Should you run a dehumidifier and air conditioner at the same time?
No. The air conditioning unit itself acts as a dehumidifier and will automatically dehumidify the air in your van. Since you want to be as efficient as possible with your power consumption, it just doesn’t make sense to run two systems at the same time when one is not needed.
What is the best portable camper air conditioner?
If you’re looking for a portable campervan air conditioner, the EcoFlow Wave is a great option. It’s small enough to fit comfortably in most van builds and has a 4,000 BTU rating. Plus, if you get an add-on battery, you could potentially keep the unit running overnight without needing to charge it.
Can solar panels power a campervan air conditioner?
Yes, but an AC unit requires a substantial solar power system to keep it running. For reference, a 12,000 BTU air conditioner will require about 900 watts per hour. You may be able to build a solar power system on your van roof that can keep that going, but if you’re trying to power anything other than your AC with solar, you’ll want to silence everything else appropriately. So, while it is technically possible to power a campervan air conditioner with solar, you’ll need to use the entire roof of your campervan for solar panels and potentially stagger the use of different electronics or systems to make it work. If this isn’t an option, you could also set up moveable solar panels on the ground to power your AC while you’re stationary.
