Summer is coming! So you want to buy an air conditioner? Let’s keep scrolling down as our article will provide all the helpful information you need.
As we know, the global is hotter. So, air conditioning is increasingly popular in families. This is a device that uses electrical energy to regulate the temperature of the room, thereby creating the most comfortable and cooling space for users. But how to choose an air conditioner that meets the needs of your family? This article aims to introduce some buy tips. Also, we will recommend some best RV air conditioner models in the current market. If you are finding honest RV air conditioner reviews, you are in the right place!
List of 6 Best RV Air Conditioner Reviews
Dometic Polar White 15,000 BTU Conditioners
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With a capacity of 15,000 BTU/h, Dometic Polar White B59516.XX1C0 Air Conditioner is suitable for a medium area. Although it is quite small and lightweight, it has a strong power.
After two years of renovation, the product is over one fifth as light as its previous models. So, moving the machine to the rooftop is more simple. I am so surprised that the air conditioners have a shape like the head of the train. This means you will save significant space.
Engineers also pack it with RV A/C Technology. Coupled with a center discharge air delivery, the air flow increases about 15% and cooling ability is better.
What is more, there are two types of installation, with and without duct.
Pros
- Easy to install
- New design
- Quiet operation
- Center discharge air delivery
Cons
- High price
- High maintenance cost
AIRXCEL 08-0080 Mach 15 15.0 Arctic Wht Upper
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Airxcel 48204C866 08-0080 is produced by Coleman, a company in the United States. Mach 15 is the most powerful unit with the greatest cooling output. It is equipped with a 1/3 HP fan motor, providing a great number of cubic feet per minute – 325 CFM.
Thanks to all-copper tubing and gas-fluxed brazed joints, the machine is more durable and sturdy.
Furthermore, the RV air conditioner is easy to install on the roof, even for the beginners. Thanks to the quite compressor, you will have a peaceful sleep at night.
I am so pleased with its performance. The machine can cool as well as heat your space, so it is usable in all seasons. Especially, it operates well in hot climate throughout the year as Florida.
Pros
- Powerful
- No noise
- Good performance
- Energy save
- A metal base plate
Cons
- Air is blown in a straight way, not go down
Dometic 640315CXX1J0 Penguin II Low Profile Rooftop Air Conditioner
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The most impressive feature of Dometic 640315CXX1J0 is its design. It has an elegant appearance with a low-profile, under 10-inches in height – the lowest number in the industry. This helps to reduce drag while the vehicles are moving. So, your speed is faster.
The unit is using R410 gas – the latest refrigerant technology. This allows it to release heat effectively. Therefore, the cooling performance is improved, even in severely hot temperature.
But wait – there’s more:
The machine is equipped with a sturdy rib-reinforced base pan to prevent shakes and harmful impacts by bad weather.
Pros
- Powerful
- Good performance
- Energy saves
- A sturdy rib-reinforced base pan
Cons
- Noisy
- Slightly costly
Airxcel 08-0079 Mach 3 Plus 13.5 Arctic Wht
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If you are finding an small RV air conditioner with a medium price and acceptable technology, you should take a look at Airxcel 48203C966 08-0079.
March 3 Plus can offer a seamless cooling performance without taking too much energy from your RVs. It is designed with large evaporator and condenser coils to help dissipate heat.
Durable parts and materials (a copper tubing and gas-flux brazed joints) protect the unit from external factors while moving and improve its long-life. So, it is not an air conditioner which requires too much maintenance.
R410 gas is also a plus point. It contributes to protecting the environment without harm for Ozon layer. However, the cost of the gas charge is often higher than others.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Easy to install
- Energy saves
- Works well on extremely hot climate
Cons
- Noisy
Dometic Brisk II Rooftop RV Air Conditioners
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Dometic Brisk II Rooftop RV Air Conditioners maybe the best rivet semi-tube. As customers’ review, it works very great in their wheel bedroom.
The A/C machine has a reputation on the ability to install and compact design. In all of the products mentioned here, this unit is the smallest one. Moving it up to the rooftop is no longer a difficulty because of its lightweight.
During installation, you need only tow tools including a screwdriver and a 3/8 inch wrench or socket to securely tighten four bolts. It takes you about two hours from unpacking to fully installing.
Note: This A/C unit is for non-ducted installation only.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Easy to install
- Energy saves
- Heat strip included
Cons
- Noisy
- Breakable shroud
Atwood 15026 Non-Ducted A/C Unit
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Like Dometic Sanitation 143002P041, Atwood 15026 is a good choice for RVers with a non-ducted system.
Listen:
Not only does the unit have a capacity of powerful 1500 BTU/h but it also has a dual-fans. This helps it to be the dumbest RV air conditioners on the current market.
Thanks to an included heat pump, cold nights are no longer a nightmare. For those who hate winter like me, this is a wonderful feature to enjoy a memorable trip.
Don’t stop there:
The machine comes with remote control, so you don’t need to touch on the screen to set up it. Just stay everywhere in your vehicle and push the press, your air conditioner will be turned on immediately. So convenient, right?
Pros
- Powerful
- Easy to install
- Energy saves
- Cooling and heating ability
Cons
- Very expensive (above $1000)
What is an Air Conditioner?
The first concept of air conditioning was introduced in 1908. Later, this definition was given by Willis Carrier – “The father of air conditioners” – as follows:
An air conditioner is a device that:
- Maintains proper moisture in all corners in a building.
- Release the air when the humidity is too high in certain seasons.
- Helps ventilation fully and continuously.
- Effectively eliminates microorganisms, dust, soots, and other agents in the surrounding atmosphere.
- Either cools or warms the air in the room significantly and fastly.
The task of the air conditioner is to bring the heat from inside to the outside. So after turning on the machine, you will feel the cool air in your home.
Regarding the RV air conditioner, it works similar to the normal ones, but it is made mainly for recreational vehicles or RVs such as campers or mobile homes.
Which Main Parts an Air Conditioner Have?
Not all people know about the inside of an air conditioner. Why don’t we dig a little deeper?
The air conditioner is composed of three main parts, including hot coil, cold coil, and duct for gas transfer.
The hot coil is one of the most power-consuming parts. It has a compressor and an axial fan.
Contrary to that, the cold coil is one of the least power-consuming parts, with a rather compact size. A centrifugal fan and control circuit board are its components.
The duct is a part to connect the hot coil and cold coil. The liquid refrigerant goes through this pipe.
How Air Conditioner Works?
During operating, the cold coil will perform continuously while the hot coil works intermittently and are independent on the temperature in the room.
Unlike the hot coil, the cold side can suck and blow without ceasing to support the air circulate and spread in the room. There is a temperature sensor connected directly to the control circuit board in the cold coil.
If the outside is hotter, the heat is naturally transferred from the outside to inside of the building resulting in raising the room temperature. When the outside temperature is higher than the room about 1-2 degrees Celsius, the control circuit board gives the signal to operate the hot coil again and cool your room.
Typically, the standard temperature of the air conditioner is designed at 16-31 degrees Celsius.
In truth:
You have a good understanding of the structure and operation principles of the air conditioner. In the next section, we will mention some criteria to help you find a proper machine for yourselves.
How to Choose an RV Air Conditioner: Things Need to Consider Before Buying?
Demands
Before purchasing an air conditioner in particular or other products in general, the first thing is to understand your needs.
I will take my situations as an example.
I have just bought a new van, and I want to maintain natural light from the top window. So, an RV air conditioner with an integrated window is preferable for me.
Or, because I live in a wet area with a high number of mosquitoes, my air conditioner should have the anti-mosquito function.
Currently, the new air conditioner lines are equipped with various modern technologies. Therefore, unless you clarify your demands, you cannot have the right decision.
Types of Air Conditioner
There are many ways to classify the air conditioner such as rooftop air conditioner, vent-free air conditioner, portable air conditioner, and window air conditioner. Amongst them, the first one is the most popular type.
On the other hands, there are two basic types. They are non-reverse and reverse cycle air conditioner.
The non-reverse cycle air conditioner or one-way air conditioner is a type that has only one function of cooling. It is suitable for places with a hot climate all year, for instance, tropical countries.
The reverse cycle air conditioner or two-way air conditioner is a type that can cool and warm the air. People, settling in temperate areas, often choose it to use in both summer and winter.
In addition to that, if there are elderly and children in your family, you should buy the two-way air conditioner. Because they often have very weak immune systems and need a stable room temperature.
Compared to the non-reverse cycle air conditioner, it is undoubted that the reverse cycle one has many advantages such as:
- No need to buy oil heaters.
- Energy saving.
- A 2-in-1 device.
Nevertheless, everything has two sides. The latter is costly and more energy-consuming.
Price Ranges
The air conditioner is one of the most expensive Household electrical appliances. It ranges from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, especially the high-end products.
Such prices are challengeable to customers and make buying practice seem to be difficult. To help you, we classify the machine into three following segments:
The low-range segment is under $500. Here, you can own a product with basic functions, and maybe it cannot meet your needs. Therefore, if your budget is tight, products in this segment are appropriate.
The mid-range segment has a price from $500 – 1000. This is the most popular choice these days because it has almost functions as well as relatively stable and an eye-catching design.
The high-end air conditioners often cost over $1000. It focuses on perfecting its design and advanced features. If the price is not your concern, you can consider a product in this segment.
Capacity
Capacity is the main factor that determines the cooling ability of the air conditioner. Based on the area of the room, you can select the appropriate capacity.
In case your RV is large, but the capacity level is low, it cannot cool the whole room; whereas the room is small, but the capacity is high, it is a waste of energy.
To calculate the capacity, we have the following formula:
The area (m2) x 600 BTU
That means 1 m2 is equivalent to 600 BTU.
What is BTU?
BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a unit of energy applied in the United States. BTU or BTU/h refers to the amount of energy required for a pound (454 grams) of water to rise by 1 oF and 143 BTU to melt a pound of ice.
For a deeper understanding, you can read the recommended instructions:
- Area of 15 m2 and less, the appropriate capacity is 15 m2 x 600 BTU = 9000 BTU (or 1 HP).
- Area of about 16-20 m2, the best capacity is 12000 BTU (or 1.5 HP).
- For an area of about 21-30 m2, an air conditioner with a capacity of 1800 BTU is preferable (or 2 HP).
- For an area of about 31-40 m2: appropriate capacity will be 2400 BTU (2.5 HP).
Note: The above information is estimated numbers. Therefore, you should consult with the supplier or manufacturer before paying for it.
Kinds of Gas in the Air Conditioner
The cooling effect of the air conditioner depends on the type of gas that the machine is using. Some common types of gas are:
- R22 Gas: This is the most favored gas with the advantage of being cheap and safe. Although it is environmentally unfriendly, it does not cause fire and explosion as much as others.
- R410 Gas: Compared to the R22 gas, it is better for the environment, but the price is higher.
- R32 Gas: This is a high-end gas with the best quality, safety, and environmentally friendly. So, this is the most expensive liquid refrigerant amongst those above.
Energy Save Technology
Imagine what it would be like if your air conditioner contributes to a huge electricity bill at the end of the month? So stressful, right?
Don’t worry! Inverter technology can help you. But what is it? Should you buy an inverter or non-inverter air cooling machine?
Check it out:
The inverter is a technology that uses inverter compressor to control the rotary speed of the compressor by the highest cooling capacity. The inverter air conditioners can save electricity from 30% to 60%.
This brings long-term economic benefits. You don’t need to turn on and off continuously as normal air conditioners.
Pros
- Quickly cooling by the inverter technology
- Save energy
- Maintain a stable temperature by the ability to self-adjust the cooling capacity accordingly
- Smooth operation and noise reduction because of less friction
- Higher durability
Cons
- High price
- Expensive maintenance cost
If you want to choose an interver air conditioner, you should consider your budget before.
Durability
An important factor contributing to the product’s success is durability. This is the reason why you also need to consider whether the air conditioner you choose has features and technology to protect the machine or not.
For instance, anti-corrosion, pressure drop protection, and voltage surges, etc. These technologies will boost your machine’s lifespan and minimize damages.
As durability directly affects incurred maintenance fees, you should pay attention to it.
Additional Functions
Of course, an air conditioner with main functions is acceptable. But is it enough? No! No!
Besides the air cooling function, customers are more satisfied with others. Dust filtration, anti-bacterial, deodorization, or mosquito repellent are good examples.
Instead, you spend money on an air purifier, and you should choose an air conditioner with a dust filter. It is an economical choice.
By the way, older adults and babies need an air conditioner with a gentle cooling feature and equal wind.
Warranty Policy
Maintenance costs often break our heart. Therefore, we need to strictly think about warranty policies before buying anything.
Typically, air-conditioners are offered a warranty in either 2 or 3 years. Some models are repaired free within 5 years.
RV Air Conditioner FAQ’S
What can an RV Air Conditioner Filter Do?
Most RV air conditioning systems have filters for the cold coil. This screen removes tiny dust and other particles from the air flow. This is beneficial to keep the air conditioning system clean and remove dust particles from the air.
When the filter works, it becomes more and more dusty days in days out. This demonstrates its effective performance; on the other hand, it blocks airflow.
Filter replacement depends on the density of dirt in the air and the filter size. When the airflow is poor, it is time to replace the new one.
Otherwise, the system will not work properly. If the filter is too dirty, it will become a source of air pollution.
How to Maintain My RV Air Conditions?
Users can carry out essential maintenance by themselves, such as changing filters, but others should be done by workers.
You should sweep dirt and obstructions in the coils and drainage systems at the beginning of summer. If the system does not normally cool the air, it may also indicate a malfunction in the air stream or refrigerant. These problems require professional repair services.
What Happens if Leaked?
Another reason causing poor operation is pipe leaks. If the flow of air through the condenser decreases, it fails to push the hot air out. Hence, the capacity of the machine drops, especially when the outdoor temperature is high.
Seriously, pipe leaks can consume 20-40% of the energy compared to a well-functioning air conditioner.
If you are living in humidity areas, leaks lead to pipes freeze. This makes the machine work worse and can damage the compressor. And of course, you will spend a large amount of money on repairing it.
Conclusion
In short, we have just shared our experience of RV air conditioner. Depending on your needs and RVs, you have different criteria to consider when buying the unit.
Hopefully, with the above information, you are no longer confused amongst a variety of products from many brands. Surely, you will know how to find a suitable air conditioner after reading our article. Good luck!