When you’re traveling, you never know what kind of weather you can expect.
You can pass by some areas where it’s too hot, and a few hours later spend a freezing night in some cold place.
A lot of people think they only need a cooling option because they’re used to traveling in the summer or in high-temperature areas, but what if you get stuck in a colder area and need to heat yourself?
A great solution is an air conditioner with a heater combo – one that has cooling and heating options.
I’ll share with you the 7 best RV air conditioners with heat pumps, but let’s first talk about some things you need to consider before making a purchase.
What To Consider Before Buying RV Air Conditioner & Heater
- Fuel – The most popular option is the mounted version of the RV air conditioner which uses gasoline. However, electricity is much safer and you can even find ACs that run on solar energy.
- Noise – When you’re traveling, you deserve a good night’s sleep. One of the most frustrating feelings is when you can’t fall asleep because your AC is producing so much noise. Always look for decibel ratings before making a purchase.
- Advanced options – One of the best AC technologies is to change the operating mode to a fan or humidifier.
- Type – There are tons of different types of RV Air Conditioners with heater combo such as: without vents, portable, rooftop, window, and others. Pick the one that fits your needs.
- Power – The power of an RV air conditioner is measured in BTUs. Units with BTU ratings above 8,000 can easily cool up to 400 sq. ft. RV.
7 Best RV Air Conditioner & Heater Combo
1. Best Overall: Dometic Brisk Air II
This RV air conditioner has everything you need.
Don’t expect a lightweight unit because the frame base metal is durable and quality-made.
It’s very powerful and it can cool almost any site of the RV in just a few minutes.
When you order the unit, it comes with everything you need, so you won’t have to buy any additional parts. The cooling is slightly better than heating, but you can use both operating modes efficiently.
I love how it’s simple to install this unit and you might not even need a help from professional.
If you’re planning to travel to areas with 100+ degrees, you won’t feel the heat even a little bit because of the power of this air conditioner.
2. Powerful: DOMETIC 651816CXX1C0 Penguin
If you have a 500 sq. ft. (or more) RV – this air conditioner is everything you will need.
I was surprised to see how well the heat pump works and how efficiently it can heat up the whole RV.
Talking about efficiency – it operates on 120-volt electricity which is considered to be very efficient.
It’s super quiet and you and your family won’t have any problem falling asleep while this AC is running.
Also, it’s very easy to install, so if you have any experience with installing air conditioners – you can do it by yourself.
3. Most Quiet: RecPro RV Low Profile
When I first tested this air conditioner, I noticed how significantly quieter it is than other RV air conditioners.
You’ll have the best sleep when you set the sleep mode on the remote.
It’s very easy to install and you even get a remote control from which you can set up everything you need.
If you have a black RV – this air conditioner will fit perfectly. Most RV air conditioners are white, so I love how RecPro decided to stand out from the competition once again.
This is a ductless air conditioner which makes the setup even easier.
4. Smaller RVs: Dometic Brisk II Rooftop
If you have a smaller RV, this is the perfect solution for you.
Don’t get me wrong, this air conditioner is very powerful, but the airflow drops after a certain time. This is the reason why I recommend this unit to everyone who has a smaller RV.
Also, it’s smart to install this unit if you’re planning to use it solely in your bedroom.
The installation process is a bit tricky, so I would advise you to hire a professional or to call a friend who has some kind of experience.
It’s lightweight and you won’t have trouble putting it on your roof.
I have to mention that it’s a little bit noisier than other ACs.
5. Classic: DOMETIC 630515.331C Penguin
This unit is what I like to call a classic RV air conditioner.
With 13,500 BTU, it doesn’t have any problem cooling bigger RVs, so all your family can be comfortable even at the highest temperatures.
The design is classy because their goal is to achieve better wind resistance.
It’s easier to install than other air conditioners, so you won’t have to expect any extra costs.
6. Multi-function: Standard Dometic Penguin II Low-Profile
The biggest advantage of this air conditioner is its aerodynamic low profile which reduces wind drag and saves fuel.
It’s not nearly as strong as other ACs on this list, but it’s very quiet and you can run it for the whole day and night without any problem.
Dometic went a step further and made manual, electronic, and wall thermostat controls.
It has a 3-speed blower, so you can adjust the speed settings depending on the time of the day.
If you’re someone who likes advanced features, you’ll love this air conditioner.
7. Design: Coleman 48204C869 RV
When it comes to design, this product is outstanding and the competition is irrelevant.
A lot of us love to decorate our RVs and always improve their looks – this air conditioner will do it.
Your RV will be like an ice cube once you let it run for a couple of minutes.
If you had another AC installed previously, the installation process would be a piece of cake because of the universal fit.
The only thing I don’t like about this AC is the shipping and packaging which should be improved a lot.
Download this FREE cheat sheet to find 28 tricks that can help you save on your electricity and heating bill each month.
Click here to get a FREE Cheat-SheatBenefits Of RV AC With Heat Pump
Efficient
RV air conditioners are usually energy-efficient and the unit with 8,000 BTU can cool almost every RV.
From my experience, the more efficient your unit is – the longer it will last without any damage.
A 10,000 BTU air conditioner uses around 700 watts while running.
You should also learn 15 simple ways to save even more money on your air conditioning.
More comfort
When you’re traveling and the sun starts blasting through your RV’s windows, the inside temperature rises quickly.
It’s hard to be comfortable when it’s too hot and you’re sweating, right?
When I installed an AC with a heat pump on my RV, traveling became more comfortable and fun.
Heating option
If you’re not just a seasonal traveler who rides an RV only in summer – you’ll definitely use the heating option often.
The biggest advantage of ACs with a heating combo is that they can be used throughout the whole year.
At first, I thought I’d never need a heating option, but once I tried it – I became a huge fan.
Easy to maintain
There isn’t a lot of maintenance, but make sure to clean your unit once a month.
It’s important to clean the filters and condensate tubes because they are responsible for the efficiency of your unit.
Also, manually inspect your air conditioner to check if there’s any damage.
How To Keep Your RV Air Conditioner & Heater More Efficient?
Clean the filters
This is a “must-do” if you want to keep your RV air conditioner healthy.
When you’re using your unit often, the filters quickly collect dust and grime which makes your AC a lot less efficient.
Rooftop RV air conditioners collect dust even faster.
This is usually the reason why the heat pump isn’t cooling efficiently.
You should clean the filters once a month (while you’re traveling) and once in 90 days if you haven’t driven your RV.
Clean condenser & condensate tube
Condensers can be easily damaged if there’s a lot of dust and dirt.
Also, condensate tubes can get clogged easily if you don’t maintain them.
It takes just a few minutes every month to keep them healthy.
Check for leakages
If you noticed that your AC isn’t performing as well as before, it might be due to some leakages.
First, check the rubber gasket mounting on your roof – this is where the first leak usually happens.
The leakages are very harmful to your unit, so they should never be ignored.
Hire a professional
This is what kept my unit healthy and efficient for so many years.
I always hire a professional to thoroughly clean my unit and inspect it. I do it just once a year.
If you have some bucks you can spare, I’d highly recommend doing this once a year (after the summer).
What Size AC Do You Need For Your RV?
One of the most common mistakes is people buying a smaller (or bigger) air conditioner that they actually need.
This is especially true when it comes to RV air conditioners with a heater combo.
When we’re talking about the “size”, we’re talking about the power of the unit and the size of the room that it can cover.
The best practice to find out the perfect size for your RV is to measure the square footage first.
Here’s a quick table that will help you determine the right size:
| Size of your RV (sq. ft.) | AC Power (BTU) |
| 100-300 sq. ft. | 4,000 BTU – 7,000 BTU |
| 300-500 sq. ft. | 8,000 BTU – 11,000 BTU |
| 500-1,000 sq. ft. | 12,000 BTU – 18,000 BTU |
It’s not smart to buy a very powerful unit for a smaller RV.
If you had an 18,000 BTU air conditioner and you only needed to cool 200 sq. ft. – the thermostat sensors would quickly stop working because the “desired temperature” can be achieved in 2 minutes.
Wisely choose the best sizing for your needs.
Types Of RV AC
Window RV ACs
These units don’t need much interior space because you install them outside in one of your rig’s windows. However, finding the right size that fits well in your window is a huge problem. Plus, installing them will obstruct your view and the sunlight.
RV Rooftop Air Conditioner
They come with a large cooling capacity and don’t need any space in your RV either. These designs need a control panel mounted on the ceiling or have a thermostat present within your RV.
Thermostat control is more comfortable to handle, mostly if you prefer having a set-and-forget style of operation for your AC unit. But with a control panel, you can turn it on or off. It can also save a lot of energy and improve the overall lifespan of the unit.
Portable RV ACs
A portable unit is all about portability. They don’t come with any complicated installation procedures, and you can use them in your other vehicles. These units can work well for smaller rigs. You can also use them in combination with your current AC system in a larger rig.
Under-Bench RV ACs
These units work great as an alternative to rooftop units because they will not block the sunlight or obstruct your view. However, they need more power to pull the heat and push it out of your rig. You can install them under your bench seat as they do not take up much space. And for that, you have to clear this space from any storage.
Non-Ducted RV ACs
These units are widespread in smaller rigs and camper vans. They work by blowing out cold air from the unit itself as there are no ducts present. The air passes through the vents, and you can manually alter their direction to cool your desired section of the rig. They also take up some space within your rig.
Ducted RV ACs
These units are suitable for longer or larger rigs and can distribute cool air evenly in different sections of your rig. With these units in place, air passes through the ducts and cools down. These units may be there in the ceilings or the walls of your rig.
Ducted RV ACs are directly wired into your rig and can integrate with the thermostat of your recreational vehicle.
How To Clean RV Air Conditioner & Heater Combo?
Cleaning an RV air conditioner is a pretty straightforward process.
Follow these steps:
- Unplug the AC from the power outlet
- Get up on your RV’s roof. If your roof isn’t meant to be walked on, use some pillows to prevent any further damage.
- Cover all electrical connections as you don’t want them to collect moisture.
- Apply a quality AC coil cleaner and let it stay like that for 30 minutes.
- Use a garden hose to clean the unit properly. If you haven’t cleaned it for a while, you’ll need to repeat this and the previous steps again.
- Wait for the unit to completely dry before plugging it into the power outlet again.
Again, you should clean your RV unit at least once a month while you’re traveling.
If it’s just standing in your garage, clean the AC once every three months.
Go ahead and check the top 7 RV air conditioners with heat pumps and determine which one fits your needs.
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