2021 Best Air Conditioner Setups For Campers & Campervans

When going on a caravan trip, one of the most important considerations is the comfort and convenience of the passengers. Having air conditioning in your vehicle will help prevent unbearable heat and allow you to cool down on your trips.

Caravan air conditioner units are available in various forms, ranging from portable to permanent, and they are all designed to make the summer heat more enjoyable for their users. This article will enumerate some of the best air conditioning setups that may help you in your next caravan trip. 

Portable air conditioning 

A portable air conditioning system is the best option if you don't want to deal with the inconvenience of installing a permanent system in your vehicle. At the same time, unlike the other option, this will not protrude from the exterior of your mobile home. Since this setup requires no personal installation and is quick and simple to use, it is also an excellent solution for those who live in caravans with limited space because they come in various sizes and shapes. 

Another advantage of having portable air conditioning is that it can assist you in lowering your expenses. On days when you simply require a little cooling in a specific section of your vehicle, portable air conditioners are an excellent complement to central air conditioning, allowing you to reduce the amount of overall energy consumed. 

Types of portable air conditioning systems for your caravan: 

1. Portable air conditioning with dehumidifying functions: 

Air conditioners can also be equipped with dehumidifying features, which can be extremely useful on humid days. In some caravans or motorhomes, particularly older ones, dampness and mould may develop without circulation and ventilation. These systems will particularly remove excess humidity and moisture from your caravan, resulting in drier air. 

2. Portable electric fans: 

Portable electric fans are a fantastic alternative for RVs since they can be moved from one location to another with great ease. Apart from being simple to operate, these cooling units have the added benefit of being extremely lightweight, making them easy to get in and out of your caravan. Additionally, they are one of the most economical coolers on the market and will require little electricity. 

3. Portable evaporative coolers: 

An evaporating cooler is a device that draws in air through the use of a fan and circulates it over wet cooling pads to cool the user. Since these systems use water to cool the air, they can also add moisture, which is particularly beneficial in dry regions. 

Permanent air conditioning 

Permanent caravan air conditioners are engineered to have the least amount of influence on wind resistance as possible. These systems are also highly successful at cooling since it helps cold air descends and falls swiftly to the living space of the van. Moreover, the obvious advantage of installing a permanent air conditioner in your camper or motorhome is that it will not take up much living space. Permanent air conditioners are available in various designs, including wall-mounted units, roof-mounted units that can be used to replace a roof light, and internal units that can be hidden under seats or beds. 

Types of permanent air conditioning systems for your caravan: 

1. Window air conditioner 

This is one of the most simple types of air conditioning appliances you can have for your caravan or mobile home.  Each part and component in these systems is housed within a single box or case, making it a single unit to transport. They are also designed to be installed directly inside your window and are available in various British Thermal Unit sizes to accommodate vehicles of varying sizes and shapes. These systems are not only affordable to purchase and install, but they are also economical to operate. Overall, they have a very high rating for energy efficiency.

2. Rooftop air conditioner 

Caravan roof air conditioner units are specifically designed to suit the opening in the roof of your motorhome. They function by eliminating heat from the air in your RV's inside. The air conditioning machine pulls in hot air, expels it outside of the motorhome, and then pushes the cool air back into the vehicle through air vents to complete the cycle. Furthermore, these types of permanent air conditioning systems are most suitable for large caravans because they can cool a huge amount of space more efficiently than small systems. 

3. Turbo vent 

These systems are similarly designed for easy installation in your roof unit, and they are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate most motorhome roofs. The fans improve the amount of ventilation available by drawing in hot air from within your vehicle through the ceiling vents and drawing in cooler air from outside through floor vents. Having these devices installed will have several advantages, the most important is that they will assist in dispersing large amounts of smoke or hazardous odours fast, eliminating the dangers of them becoming trapped in the fabric of your sofa. Not only that, but they also do not take up a lot of space in your roof unit. 

So, which is better? 

Of course, the choice depends on numerous factors, such as how often you use your vehicle, your budget, available floor space, and the climate of your destination. Furthermore, to make sure that you find the most suitable system for your campervan, shop around for the best rates and ask for recommendations from other mobile home or campervan owners.