What RV AC do I need in warm locations?
If you are travelling to the cooler Scandinavian region then this will not challenge the air conditioners to the extremes, a unit with a smaller power rating will do for them. You should not save on power, though, if you regularly travel to the south of Europe and even less so if you have children or pets on board as staying in a recreational vehicle can quickly become uncomfortable on a hot summer day. When the nights are no cooler either, rest and recuperation is only possible with an adequate air conditioner.
What cooling performance do I expect?
It’s a question of common sense and energy usage. Basically, you should not demand the same performance from your RV air conditioner as you get from a vehicle A/C system, which is powered via the engine. Those wishing to have 18°C indoors at midday when the sun is right on top and the temperature way over 30°C, are likely to be disappointed. But they can look forward to a good night’s sleep in pleasant temperature conditions. The purpose of RV air conditioners is not to struggle with the outside temperature but to prevent heat-up caused by additional, “man-made” factors. The temperature level inside a vehicle exposed to the sun usually exceeds the outside temperature by far. Air conditioners can help significantly reduce the interior temperature and the humidity for a better indoor climate.
As a rule of thumb, try to get a temperature between 18 and 22°C and a humidity between 40 and 70 %. These values are considered to be best for a comfortable climate. If you want to be on the safe side, use a thermometer or hygrometer and switch the air conditioner on when necessary. It is best to keep the interior temperature no more than 8°C below the outside temperature.
Dometic FreshJet – Ideal for two-zone air conditioning
Do you want to control the climate in the bedroom and living space separately? This is easily done by installing two FreshJet units.
When choosing the matching power rating you should consider the size of the room, the temperature preferences and your favourite travel destinations. The larger FreshJet 2200 /3200 models are fitted with the soft-start function, the smaller FreshJet 1700 models have very low starting currents, so you will always be able to run at least one of the two units, even on campsites with low electrical circuit protection.