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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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The 3 Best Small RV Air Conditioners
An effective air conditioning unit is non-negotiable for RV comfort. Our Brand-Buying Guide is here to narrow down the 3 Best Small RV Air Conditioners on the market.
- Small RV air conditioners: compact and efficient designs.
- Portability: movable units for flexible cooling options.
- Power efficiency: minimal power consumption for quick cooling.
- Easy installation: designed for DIY installation with instructions.
- Low noise level: ensures a peaceful environment inside.
- Cooling capacity: typically between 5,000 and 15,000 BTUs.
- Consider RV size when selecting the appropriate unit.
- Additional features: dehumidifier, timers, remote controls, fan speeds.
This guide aims to provide comprehensive details about the top-performing brands, allowing you to make an informed decision. We consider factors like cooling capacity, power consumption, ease of installation, price, and customer feedback.
With our Brand Buying, you can select a model that suits your needs and enjoy a comfortable journey through varying climates and seasons.
RV living, a once frowned-upon lifestyle, has gone mainstream recently.
More and more people are pooling their life savings and opting to live on the road in a trailer instead of living in pigeonhole-sized apartments or paying the mortgage through their noses.
Soaking in the vivid colors, experiencing unique cultures, and enjoying delectable culinary experiences sounds like a fun way to live.
But the least you can do is stay cool and comfortable while exploring the less-traveled paths.
It would be best to have an RV air conditioner that’s powerful enough to cool your trailer and efficient enough to run all day during the summer without guzzling an entire oil well.
Sounds like too much to ask?
Not really.
Today, we decode RV air conditioners and present you with our favorite small RV air conditioner, perfect for small—to medium-sized RVs.
The 3 Best Small RV Air Conditioners of the Year
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best RV air conditioners.
Whether you are looking for a rooftop AC for your large trailer or a portable one for your convertible trailer, we have you covered.
1. Dometic Brisk II Air Conditioners
Summary
The Brisk II is an upgrade to one of Domestic’s bestselling rooftop air conditioners, the Brisk I.
The new EPP foam housing makes it around 20 lbs. lighter, and the aerodynamic design minimizes drag.
That’s not all.
Under the hood, it has been revamped completely to minimize vibration and operational noise.
The motor, compressor, and evaporator are bracketed together. Also, the wrap-around shroud and carbon steel base keep it sturdy.
The noise comes from the fan not switching off and on during operation. Only the compressor does. So your sleep won’t get interrupted by the sudden starting noise created by the fan.
Unlike the earlier models, the Brisk II features a vertical-mounted compressor that increases the unit’s height by a few inches.
The upgraded compressor and the large air vents improve the airflow by 15%, cooling your trailer quickly. The Brisk II has three speed settings and does a fantastic job cooling both large and medium-sized RVs.
It is available in two configurations, 13.5K BTU and 15K BTU, and can be installed in ducted and non-ducted applications.
Pros:
- Sleek and stylish
- Aerodynamic design
- Top-notch build quality
- Carbon steel base, copper lines, rubber bushings
- Improved airflow by 15%
- Minimal vibration and noise during operation
- Available in two BTU ratings, 13.5 and 15K
Cons:
- The new vertical-mounted compressor has increased the height of the unit by around 2-inches
- You have to buy the control panel separate
2. Advent ACM135 Rooftop Air Conditioner
Summary
The Advent ACM135 Rooftop Air Conditioner for RVs is a high-quality, robust air conditioning unit for optimal performance and durability.
This unit boasts a powerful cooling capacity of 13,500 BTUs, ensuring comfortable indoor temperatures even in extreme outdoor conditions. The ACM135 features a rigid, metal-constructed base pan with excellent stability and long-lasting durability.
One critical attribute of this product is its premium, thick, watertight vent opening gasket. This feature prevents leakage, ensuring your RV stays dry and clean.
The unit also incorporates six dense foam support pads, which provide additional stability and reduce vibration noise, ensuring a quiet, peaceful environment inside the RV.
The Advent ACM135 Rooftop Air Conditioner for RVs also offers three fan speeds, allowing you to adjust the cooling to your preference. It installs in a standard 14.25″ x 14.25″ vent opening, making it compatible with many RV models.
In summary, the Advent ACM135 provides superior cooling performance, durability, and watertight operation, making it an ideal choice for any RV owner looking for a reliable air conditioning solution.
Pros:
- Compact, attractive design
- Large LED control panel
- Rigid, metal-constructed base pan
- Premium, thick, watertight vent opening gasket
- Six dense foam support pads
- Three fan speeds are installed in a standard 14.25″ x 14.25″ vent opening
- Optional plug-in heat strip available
Cons:
- The exhaust hose and the window kit seem a little flimsy compared to the central unit
3. Friedrich Chill Series Window Air Conditioner
Summary
We were torn apart while selecting one between the Friedrich Chill CP06 and the Frigidaire FFRA0511R1. But we eventually narrowed down on the Chill CP06 because it runs quieter and has a range of models in different capacities for RVs of all sizes.
The top model is rated at 24000 BTU.
This is the 6000 BTU unit that is perfect for rooms up to 250 sq. ft.
It is a sleek, compact window air conditioner with a stylish white casing. It looks great and performs equally well, cooling a 250 sq. ft. room in less than 15 minutes.
It has an air circulation of 200 cubic feet per minute, which is terrific for a sizeable unit. It is Energy Star qualified, and the compressor automatically switches off when the room is cool.
You can choose from three different cooling and fan-only speeds. The swinging louvers further improve the airflow in the room.
The Chill CP06G10B also features washable antimicrobial filters that free particulate matter and air from pollutants, dander, and allergens. This should be very beneficial in hot summers in dry and arid regions.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- 6000 BTU that’s perfect for rooms up to 250 sq. ft.
- Cools in less than 15 minutes
- Three cooling and fan-only speeds
- Swinging louvers
- Washable antimicrobial filters
Cons:
- Slightly loud for an AC this size
What to Look For In A Small RV Air Conditioner
People’s needs for an air conditioner are as unique as their travel itineraries.
There’s no one-size-fits-all.
Some might prefer a full-sized, ducted air conditioner that cools every corner of their trailer, whereas others might like a compact, portable one that only cools their favorite living room corner.
To avoid shopping pig in the Poke, create a checklist of the features you seek from the air conditioner.
The essential checklist for buying RV air conditioners
Here’s a list of some critical questions you need to ask yourself before narrowing down on an RV air conditioner.
1. What is the Size of the RV?
What’s the size of the RV? Do you want the entire living space to be cooled? Or are you only looking for one part of it to be covered by the air conditioner, like the bedroom or the living room?
The bigger the space, the more power you need. The more power you need, the larger the air conditioner (read pricier).
The BTU Rating
BTU, or a British thermal unit, is usually used as a heating unit. However, when it comes to RV air conditioners, it is used to indicate the model’s power or capacity. For example, the average capacity for a rooftop air conditioner is 13500 BTU.
That usually suffices to cool a 40-footer in optimum weather conditions. But again, cooling is subjective. Some people run three air conditioners to cool a 40-foot trailer and still complain about how hot it is.
If you have a small or medium-sized trailer, such as a Jayco Hummingbird or a Springdale mini, you can look for an air conditioner rated 5000-7000 BTU.
By the way, many campers look to buy the best one they can afford, pooh-poohing the whole BTU thing. The additional cooling capacity might just come in handy on a bad day.
Power Consumption
Air conditioners are generally power-hungry appliances. So, you’d want to factor in the cost of running the unit for extended periods during the hot summer months.
Considering that it will be powered by a portable generator (unless you have a solar grid) whenever you aren’t around a campsite, ensure you know the exact draw or a ballpark figure.
To run the math, it would be best if you had the continuous draw rating and the startup draw. Both these numbers will be printed on the unit itself.
For example, a 900W Yamaha inverter generator can power a 5000 BTU wall-mounted air conditioner for almost 8-9 hours on less than 1 gallon of gas.
A few external variables might reduce or increase that. But that’s a good ballpark figure to go by.
2. What Type of Air Conditioner Do you Need?
Four types of air conditioners are commonly used in RVs.
Rooftop Models
Rooftop air conditioners are more popular than the other varieties as they save space and come in various designs and configurations.
You can select low-profile designs that reduce the vertical space needed for clearance while backing up into a garage or driving under a bridge.
Also, rooftop models can be installed using ducted or non-ducted methods, providing the coverage you seek.
While 13.5K BTU is the minimum power for these, many new manufacturers have started offering lower-power models for those who seek less power in exchange for more fuel efficiency.
Portable Units
These self-contained units have large casters and can be pushed to any part of the RV that needs to be cooled. No installation is needed. So you won’t have to make expensive modifications to the existing design.
They do need a hose for the runoff, though. These units work by evaporating the air rather than using the conventional cooling method.
Despite being labeled ‘portable,’ most portable units are bulky and will eat up valuable storage space.
Window Air Conditioners
Window air conditioners are best suited for smaller trailers. These are space-saving and will be mounted into windows of varying sizes. They are also available in a variety of cooling capacities.
Under the Bench
Under-the-bed air conditioners are a relatively new concept but are quickly catching up with some of the other varieties. These units are discreet and tucked into the vacant space under the RV seats. The caveat is that designs and power configurations are limited.
3. Is It Quiet Enough?
People often get so hung up on some of an RV air conditioner’s other features that they fail to notice how noisy it is. Always check the noise rating for any air conditioner you select. Alternatively, please take a look at our guide to quiet AC units.
4. Price
Prices range from $500-$1000 for a good rooftop air conditioner from a reputed brand like Domestic or Atwood. If you aren’t looking to spend that much, a window-mounted unit can be bought for under $500. Anything below that price would be too small or a stretch to cool an RV.
Do You Need an AC and a Heater Combo?
An AC and heater combo can be helpful if you travel to cold places. It saves you the added expense of buying a heater separately.
These units have a reversing valve that converts the AC into a heating pump.
The only possible downside is that these units usually cost more than $600. So, if you mostly stick to warm places, this will be an unwanted feature and an expense that can be avoided.
Will RV AC Run on Battery?
Traditionally, running an RV air conditioner requires a generator or shore power. However, with recent advancements in battery and solar technology, operating an RV air conditioner exclusively on batteries and solar power is feasible.
This alternative provides independence from traditional power sources and promotes a more sustainable form of energy consumption for the modern RVer.
Wrapping Up
Small RV Air Conditioners are the epitome of compact and efficient design. They provide the convenience of portability with movable units that offer flexible cooling options.
These air conditioners are designed for easy DIY installation and operate with low noise levels, ensuring a peaceful environment inside the RV. Focusing on power efficiency, these units consume minimal power while delivering quick and effective cooling.
The cooling capacity of Small RV Air Conditioners typically ranges between 5,000 and 15,000 BTUs, offering various options to meet various cooling demands.
When selecting the appropriate unit, the size of the RV must be considered to ensure optimal performance. Moreover, these air conditioners have additional features like a dehumidifier, timers, remote controls, and varying fan speeds for enhanced convenience and comfort.
Therefore, Small RV Air Conditioners are a versatile solution for maintaining a comfortable temperature in your RV while minimizing energy consumption.
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