Best RV Air Conditioners to Keep You Cool

If you're traveling in an RV during the summer, air conditioners are a must for remaining cool and safe. It's a health concern as well as a comfort issue, so picking the proper one is crucial. The RV air conditioner you pick needs to be suitable for your RV as well as have enough power to keep you cool during the hot days and warm in the cold ones if the unit also has a heating option. Getting the right AC unit for your RV and your particular needs can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the types of RV units and the factors you should consider. Here are the different types of RV AC units you can pick from. 

Types of RV AC Units

Ducted

Ducted air conditioners allow a rig to run with several air conditioning units and circulate air via the roof, sidewalls, and flooring, allowing for temperature control in many RV rooms. The majority of ducted systems are installed as rooftop air conditioners.

Non-ducted

Non-ducted units are generally found on the roof of an RV, underneath a seat, or within a window or wall opening. The air from the AC is forced via vents or numerous vents in these units. The vents drive the air into smaller regions of the RV and you can direct them as well as easily open or close them. Non-ducted units have a condenser, compressor, and blower enclosed in an aerodynamic shell, and they may also function as a heat pump in some situations.

Factors To Consider When Picking an RV Air Conditioner

During heatwaves, it is critical that the air conditioner has the strength to sufficiently cool down the entire RV. The ideal option is to get a strong AC with at least 12,000 BTU/hr cooling output. Aside from the power of the AC, you want a unit that is highly reliable so going for a brand name that has been tested thoroughly is one of the safer bets. Another thing you need to take into consideration is the weight of the unit. If the unit you pick is lighter you’ll be able to save on fuel if you constantly use your RV. Even though most RV air conditioning units have standard electrical requirements of 115V/16Hz, it’s good to double-check and make sure your RV will support the unit you get. Here are the best RV air conditioner units on the market.

5 Best RV Air Conditioners

Dometic Brisk II

The Brisk II from Dometic is available in black and white. It’s built with dampening brackets which assist with minimizing the noise, and the system may be used in both ducted and non-ducted configurations. This is among the most popular systems on the market right now, so if you like to buy an RV air conditioner from a renowned manufacturer, this is the one you should consider. The Dometic Brisk II is very light and has 15,000 BTU which is just the right amount of cooling capacity. The entire system is very easy to install and comes with a 2-year warranty period. 

Zero Breeze

240W Low Power. About 1/5 power consumption of conventional air conditioners are easily driven by adapters (included) or batteries, no generator required. Run It with Batter. Run the AC unit with your own 24V battery supply or run the AC unit with our battery for 3-5 hours of portable usage. Real air-conditioner, no water or ice required, built-in 24V adaptive frequency micro compressor. 10 minutes air outlet temperature, down 30℉.  Air conditioner and the battery can be combined into one unit. You can take the air conditioner at work with one hand and walk around easily.

Weighs only 16.5lbs. Smaller than half the size of traditional portable air conditioners

Dometic Penguin II

The Dometic Penguin II is also a great choice for an air conditioner for your RV. It weighs 119 pounds and it’s very quiet when turned on. The entire design of the unit is amazing and it can be easily installed because it fits most standard air conditioning systems. A notable feature of this AC unit is the powerful heat pump system which can heat up your entire RV very fast. The Penguin II from Dometic also comes with a 2 year warranty and has 15,000 BTU which is great for RV rooftop air conditioners. Although the price point of this unit is a bit higher than the rest on our list, it’s worth the extra money because of the energy efficiency, heating capabilities and rugged design.

Furrion Chill

The Furrion Chill is a small rooftop RV AC unit that uses environmentally-friendly R410A refrigerant and comes with a UV-resistant cover. While it's generally a non-ducted system, it can also be used in ducted RVs, making it more versatile than many of the other options out there. This air conditioning system has a cooling power of 14,500 BTU and it features 2 fans that can move the cool air around much faster. The Furrion is also built to be very energy efficient and it is designed with technology that resists vibrations and allows the air conditioning unit to function properly in extreme climates.

Atwood 15027

The Atwood 15027 is a ducted AC unit that has a cooling capacity of 16,000 BTU and weighs 84 pounds. Because it's small and light, you'll see little difference in your gas consumption once you install it. It is one of the best non-ducted units you can find because it has an excellent airflow and it’s very easy to install because it comes with pre-mounted gaskets. The thing to note about this unit is that it’s very quiet when it’s working so it’s not going to disturb you at all when you want to do other things.

Airxcel Mach 15

The Airxcel Mach 15 is a popular and well-reviewed ducted air conditioner for RVs. It is worth serious consideration because it is a very powerful cooling unit which can deliver up to 320 cubic feet/minute of cool air. When buying this unit you can choose to have a heater system as well which makes it flexible and customizable. The design of the unit is built to last and serve your needs for a long time. The Airxcel Mach 15 weighs 90 pounds, has 15,000 BTUs and is very quiet when it’s on. 

Air conditioners for RVs come in a variety of sizes and designs, including those that aren't often associated with RVs. Although it may not seem like a big deal, getting the right RV air conditioner for your next trip is something that will increase your safety and comfort on the road. Whether it’s a summer or a winter trip, you and your family will be able to enjoy it much more when you are properly cooled or adequately warmed up when you’re inside the RV.