Everything You Need To Know About Caravan Air Conditioning

Everything You Need To Know About Caravan Air Conditioning

Air conditioning is essential throughout Australia for large parts of the year and this is especially true when you own a caravan. There is only so much that fans and open windows can do: whether you're seeking shelter inside during the heat of the day or trying to get to sleep on a warm night, spending time in a caravan without an air conditioner is an uncomfortable experience, to say the least.

Luckily, there are now several different types of caravan air conditioner models and caravan air conditioner brands available to owners depending on their budget, needs, and the type of caravan they own. Let's take a look at some of the most common types of caravan air conditioners on the market so that you can decide which style is right for you and your van.

Rooftop Air Conditioners

Rooftop air conditioners are probably the most common type of caravan air conditioner that you'll encounter, and definitely the most effective. Just like your air conditioner at home, caravan rooftop air conditioners have an inverter (in this case on the roof of your caravan) and an air conditioner unit, which fits flush against the ceiling of your caravan and can be operated with remote control.

Rooftop air conditioners offer the best performance by far but also come with a premium price tag. All of the rooftop air conditioners that we stock at Shop RV Parts are reverse cycle air conditioners, meaning they can be used for both heating and cooling. This makes them a fantastic option if you will be travelling in both warm and cold climates and want one appliance with dual functionality. However, it is worth noting that any air conditioner, even rooftop air conditioners, will struggle with heating once the outside air temperature gets to 2 degrees or below. For this reason, it is worth considering a seperate heater if you plan to spend any time in cold or alpine regions where the temperature gets this low, especially if you will be living off-grid.

As well as price, the main consideration to be aware of with rooftop air conditioners is power consumption. As anyone who has tried to keep cool in summer or warm up in winter can tell you, air conditioners are power-hungry machines. If you spend or plan to spend your time staying at powered sites then this is no issue, however, if you have ideas about going off-grid, even for short stays, it is important to know that running a rooftop air conditioner can rapidly deplete your power reserves, even if you have a serious solar setup with ample battery storage.

At Shop RV Parts, we stock a number of reverse cycle rooftop air conditioners from leading brands Truma and Dometic.

Truma Aventa Comfort Plus Air Conditioner         Dometic Harrier Lite Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner With Remote Control

Under Bunk Air Conditioners

The Truma Saphir Reverse Cycle under bunk air conditioner

If you're short on room on your roof or just want to cut down on weight, an under bunk air conditioner is a great alternative. Under bunk air conditioners work similarly to a caravan diesel heater and are designed to be installed in storage compartments underneath beds or seats.

Under bunk air conditioners are significantly more compact than their rooftop counter parts and weigh about half as much on average. Under bunk air conditioners comprise a cooling unit and several ducts, often installed underneath overhead cabinets to allow the cool air to sink throughout the caravan.

A diagram of an under bunk air conditioner setup

However, unlike reverse cycle air conditioners, under bunk air conditioners only offer cooling. If you plan to spend your year in hot climates, especially in the north of Australia, where you will rarely need additional heating, then this is no problem, but for those who don't intend to escape the winter, it does mean you will need to purchase a separate heater, such as a caravan diesel heater ( read our guide to caravan diesel heaters).

Portable Air Conditioners

For the budget-conscious, portable air conditioners offer the cooling power of a built-in model with the added convenience of being able to remove it to use inside your home or when you sell your caravan. This is advantageous if you plan on getting a new caravan within a year or two and don't want to spend the money on a permanent unit that you can't take with you. With that said, installing a proper rooftop or under bunk, caravan air conditioner can seriously boost the resale value of your caravan should you decide to sell.

While portable air conditioners are much more affordable than the two other styles we have looked at, their main drawback when it comes to caravan living is the space that they require. As it is a free-standing unit, a portable air conditioner will need to be placed on the ground near a power outlet. As any caravan owner knows, open floor space is hard to find in a caravan and is often only available in pathways up the centre of the van, which a portable air conditioner would block.

Although they are significantly cheaper than rooftop or under bunk caravan air conditioners, the space they require makes them unideal as a long-term cooling solution in a caravan. With that said, if you have a trip planned but have neither the money or desire to install either a rooftop air conditioner or an under bunk air conditioner, portable air conditioning units can be an effective temporary option.

Which Caravan Air Conditioner Should I Buy?

As with any caravan purchase, there is no one best air conditioner, and your final decision will be determined by your needs, budget and type of caravan. If you are going to live in your caravan for long periods, a caravan air conditioner is essential for surviving the harsh Australian environment. But before you commit to a purchase, think carefully about the areas you will be visiting and where you will be staying during your travels before deciding on specific air conditioner models.

At Shop RV Parts, we stock a wide range of caravan air conditioners that will help to keep you cool wherever the road may take you. Browse your cooling solutions, along with many other heating and cooling solutions.