Adventure lovers should consider taking a trip in their recreational vehicle (RV). If you don’t make an investment in your comfort, your journey might still be marred. Can you picture driving a hot car while admiring beautiful summer scenery? We can’t either, so our advice is to pick an air conditioner for your recreational vehicle (RV) carefully.
It can be challenging to choose the best option in the current market because there are so many. If you have no prior experience in this field, it is even more difficult. Selecting a durable and dependable option is unquestionably best. But don’t worry, we’ve shared our knowledge of how Evapolar devices have helped clients solve their problems to make sure you don’t make any mistakes.
We’ve provided several recommendations on how to select from the various types and what their advantages and disadvantages are in comparison to Evapolar in this extensive guide on how to choose an air conditioner for an RV or a camper van.
Why Would You Choose To Purchase A Portable Ac Unit Over A Permanent One?
If you’ve always driven with a fixed air conditioner, you might not even think to try a portable one. I can see why, and it’s difficult to consider undergoing that process once you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on an installation.
But let’s say you want to purchase a portable air conditioner for your vehicle. If so, you might think about trying it out in your car first before investing a lot of money in having it installed there permanently. This is particularly true if you plan to use it mostly for short trips.
The main justification is that the permanent installation will cost more than twice as much as the portable unit. The mobile team’s willingness to let you test out this new idea without making a significant initial financial commitment is the other key factor. You haven’t wasted much money if you decide you don’t like it.
The portable air conditioner that best suits your needs is the one you should use in your vehicle. It is probably a good idea to look into purchasing a permanent air conditioner if you have a big car and want to keep it cool enough so that everyone can be comfortable in it.
A portable air conditioner, however, might be more practical if you only occasionally need one to stay cool while traveling through hot climates.
Because they are simple to install, portable air conditioners for cars are frequently purchased.
You don’t need any specialized equipment, and you don’t have to spend hours figuring out how to connect them to your car system. They operate just like a typical air conditioner after being plugged in and turned on.
The majority of portable units are so simple to use that even people who are not experts on cars want something straightforward to keep them calm.
How Do Portable AC Units Function?
Smaller, more energy-efficient, quieter, and taking up less space are all advantages of portable air conditioners. They require less upkeep.
It’s a good invention to have a portable air conditioner. The convenience that the portable air conditioner offers its users is one of its many advantages.
The compressor is the main component of a portable air conditioner. It uses a fan and refrigerant to pump cool outside air into the car through an inlet pipe or duct.
The area is cooled by the cold air passing through an evaporator, which absorbs heat from the interior of the vehicle.
The hot air then exits through a duct or outlet pipe to avoid overcooling. The desired temperature that you set on a panel during operation will be reached once more by repeating this process.
Portable air conditioners can quickly cool down a car, but they can also be used for outdoor activities like camping, as well as indoor uses like cooling off confined spaces in a home or garage.
These compact units can be set up on window sills or shelves as long as there is space for the unit and a small area around it that is not covered in insulation. This will prevent any issues with overheating, fire hazards, or damage to nearby objects.
Personal Preferences Play An Important Role
The issue of how to pick an air conditioner for a camper van or RV depends greatly on your preferences and way of life. Uncomfortable conditions will result from bulky unit. Your peace and improved mood may be disturbed by a noisy one. You’ll waste money and resources with an overly powerful AC system.
Are you an active, mobile camper? As a result, your goal is to cool a relatively small area. The qualities that are most important to you should also be considered. Perhaps you’d adore one-touch or remote control operation. Make a list of your top requirements, then start looking around.
How Often Do You Cook In The RV
Can’t imagine going on a road trip without eating some real food? When you’re on the road in an RV, you quickly get sick of fast food or prepackaged sandwiches and burgers. When traveling, how can you get homemade food? You can do this by cooking over a campfire. However, it can be difficult to do so with little equipment and space.
Your camper van’s interior cooking will need more powerful motor home air conditioning as the heat and steam it produces increases.
Important Criteria When Buying Air Conditioners For RV
Now that you are aware of your exact needs, you can choose a portable car air conditioner. On the basis of the specific traits of the chosen model, let’s proceed to choose how to buy AC for an RV.
Let’s discuss the key factors to make a wise choice:
- Cooler size
- Cooler capacity
- Energy consumption
- Safety
- Maintenance
- Functionality
- Price
Cooler Size
Choose an AC unit whose size is appropriate for your room. Of course, any item can be put inside a camper or recreational vehicle. Will you be at ease? Look for those made specifically for your particular vehicle instead of necessarily.
As a general rule, one cooler can be used to cool a vehicle up to 32 feet long. If your RV is larger, think about getting two. Alternatively, a strong one might be useful.
Cooler Capacity
With great power comes great responsibility. The same rule applies to AC units: the more power they require, the bigger the space. However, a large RV requires more than just the 12V air conditioners that are the norm.
If that’s the case, keep in mind that a larger cooler capacity results in higher energy consumption.
Energy Consumption
Do you agree that no one wants to pay too much for their electricity? Therefore, this consideration is crucial when choosing a portable air conditioner for a vehicle. Do you want a cooler that can lower power bills because you use more than $100 in electricity each month? A device with a 1600 watt or less consumption is what you want. These units are ideal in this situation. Yes, they might initially cost a little bit more than their counterparts with lower power ratings. However, they reimburse you later with lower electricity bills.
Aim to stay away from AC units that use more than 3000 watts unless you have a good reason that suits your needs.
Safety
You shouldn’t undervalue the importance of children’s safety when considering AC.
This is taken into account by air conditioner manufacturers. They take great care to ensure that any product you buy is secure because of this. Some of them allow for the installation of childproof locks. Others choose a design without protruding points or sharp edges.
Regardless of your strategy, it’s important to inquire about the car air conditioner’s safety credentials in the store before you buy it.
Maintenance
The lifespan of a good device is many years. This period of time could be extended further! There are several ways to extend the life of an air conditioner. Have a qualified technician inspect it once every two or three years. They’ll be able to identify any problems, like leaks, and make the required repairs. Your purchase should cover this service.
Air filters should also be regularly inspected and changed. When they become dirty, wash them (the user manual will typically include instructions).
It will also guarantee optimum operation to routinely clean the evaporator and cabin coils. Simply vacuum them with an attachment that fits securely into their openings to accomplish this.
Functionality
There are a lot of choices. Different needs are met by air conditioners. Their shapes may work in different settings. Verify that the range of functions offered satisfies your specific RV needs.
What could it be? Speed control, airflow direction control, and dehumidification – basic settings for portable AC units. The majority of portable ac units for cars, however, go much further than this list of settings.
Price
Make sure you purchase an AC unit that is worth your money if you plan to invest in it for the long term. Therefore, take your time shopping around and searching for offers and discounts.
Make certain you are aware of the benefits of a warranty and are aware of its duration (as well as any terms or restrictions). Additionally, compare the price of a chosen AC unit with all the factors we’ve discussed in this guide to ensure it offers real value for money.
Are Portable Air Conditioners Acceptable In RVs?
There are a few ways you can keep your RV cool and comfortable. Selecting a portable air conditioner for a car or an RV is one of them. Read also: Best Portable Air Conditioners for Trucks
These systems effectively cool your RV while also potentially freeing up more interior space. This results in a significant reduction in energy consumption. That being said, if you decide to use a portable AC system for your camper van or RV, it’s crucial to be careful when selecting one that fits, both in terms of size and power. This is because, unlike portable AC units for cars, bigger doesn’t always equal better.
How Do You Put A Portable Air Conditioner In Your Car?
Recently, especially with the rise in temperatures, portable air conditioners have become more and more popular. Even while driving on the road, people are attempting to cool down the car.
This article will dispel any misconceptions about how expensive it is to install a portable air conditioner in a car.
What you will need;
- Portable air conditioner
- Extension cord
- A power inverter (optional)
- A suction cup and a plastic cover for the hole the suction cup leaves are included in a window kit. Additionally, the kit includes double-sided tape for securing the plastic window cover.
- Use a screwdriver, drill, and hammer to make holes in your windows for the suction cups so that you can simply slide out the plastic cover.
Benefits And Features Of A Portable Air Conditioner For Cars
If you want to make long trips more relaxing and enjoyable, a portable air conditioner for the car is a useful device.
Regardless of the weather outside, if you purchase this device, you will be able to breathe fresh air inside your car.
The ability to regulate the temperature and comfort level inside your car is the main benefit a portable air conditioner for a car provides to its owner.
Of course, there are times when you can’t wait for your car to cool down or heat up, which is why some people think about getting a portable air conditioner for their car.
A portable air conditioner for the car also provides great ventilation, which is especially helpful when it’s hot outside.
All kinds of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and airplanes, can make use of this device. When choosing a portable air conditioner for your car, you will have a wide range of models and brands to choose from, all produced by various companies.
Buying Guide For The Best Portable Ac For Car
Since there is only a tiny amount of installation space available beneath your dashboard, portable air conditioners are ideal for automobiles. Additionally, you must decide on a solution that will deliver a pleasurable performance and foster a relaxed atmosphere without breaking the bank. As a result, we have created this list of the top portable air conditioners that are made especially for vehicles.
There are numerous characteristics of an AC that you should be aware of when purchasing one. Additionally, since there are small and perhaps battery-powered units, there are some other things you should be aware of. We have put together the following buying guide right here to give you comprehensive knowledge about these factors. In this guide, we’ll go over these characteristics in detail and explain how they affect how well the AC works in regular use.
1. Installation
Particularly if you’re looking for a portable AC unit to be installed in your car, installation becomes a significant consideration. Portable air conditioners must be placed in a secure location or permanently installed below your dashboard, unlike standard air conditioning units, which can be easily mounted on a window or a wall. It is only feasible if the portable AC you are purchasing is the right size for your needs.
But with that said, you should also take into account the fact that a portable air conditioner’s overall performance declines as its size decreases. A compact air conditioner will have smaller fans inside or fewer fans overall depending on its design as there is less space available inside. It also has a significant impact on the portable AC’s coverage area, which needs to match the size of your car.
2. Warranty
There is a good chance that if you purchase a portable air conditioner for your vehicle, you will be replacing the one that came pre-installed. If you don’t plan on replacing your new appliance any time soon, you should choose one that offers dependable build quality in addition to performance. The portable air conditioner’s interior is filled with numerous tiny parts that work together to complete the air conditioning cycle.
If the AC is still functional, its performance will be significantly reduced if any one of these parts is damaged. You should only think about choosing a dependable option that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty period if you want assurance about the caliber of the parts installed in your AC. If the product has a warranty period, any internal AC parts that become damaged on their own will be repaired for free. Additionally, the brand will provide you with a replacement unit if the damage is beyond repair.
3. Design And Performance
The portable air conditioner’s design and performance are its most crucial features. It should be clear that a portable air conditioner is useless if you are unable to detect any improvement in the air’s quality or temperature despite leaving it on for several hours. You should thoroughly examine the unit’s general design to prevent this from happening. You can then get a better idea of how the AC will operate once it is turned on thanks to this.
The quantity of fans installed in the device, the airflow capacity, charging options, and battery capacity are crucial elements in the design of a portable AC. Since you will be driving while using the portable AC, it is crucial to get a desirable performance without having to adjust its settings or move its position every few minutes. While you’re at it, look over some of the extra features that portable air conditioners offer, like LED lighting or speed adjustment options. Some portable air conditioners also feature moving vents, which evenly distribute the cold air throughout the room.
4. Tank Capacity
Most portable air conditioners are made to function with water. The air conditioners have special water tanks that are intended for that purpose. By adding moisture to the surroundings, the water in these water tanks is used to absorb the heat from the surrounding area. Domestic water coolers also use the procedure, which is known as cooling with humidification. You must be aware that the water is constantly used to cool the air if you are familiar with how they work.
Consequently, if you want to keep using the portable AC to generate cold air, you will eventually need to refill the water tank. Refilling the water tank might not be possible while you are traveling a long distance. If your portable air conditioner has a sizable integrated water tank, it is very helpful in these situations. In contrast to compact options, you won’t need to frequently refill the tank if you purchase a portable AC with a large water tank. Many users will find it to be a desirable option because they will be able to use the air conditioner for a very long time without having to perform a ton of maintenance.
Read More:
- Arctos Portable AC Review
- Why Do My Portable Air Conditioners Turn Off Automatically?
- How To Vent A Portable Air Conditioner Without A Window
- How Long Can You Run A Portable Air Conditioner Continuously
- How To Clean Portable Air Conditioner? ( 9 Easy Steps)
- How To Install Portable Air Conditioner In Horizontal Sliding Window?