From O'Conner RV
Summer has arrived for much of the country. If you live in an RV full time or just for the weekend, trying to keep your cool during high outside temperatures can be a challenge. We've put together a comprehensive list of tips for keeping your RV interior cool in the hot summer weather.
1. Even before it starts getting hot outside, turn on your air conditioner to cool the walls, floors, and ceilings of your RV or trailer. It's more beneficial to do this than to try to cool a hot RV.
RV TIP: Use little portable USB fans to circulate the air. They are rechargeable so you don't have to stock batteries. As the sun moves around your RV, pull the shades to keep the sun from coming through the windows.
2. If it's not windy outside, extend your awnings on the sun side. This will shade your RV at least for a few hours. You should only do this while you are at or near your RV.
RV TIP: Never leave your extended awning unattended.
3. Most towables don't come with shades on RV doors. Something as simple as taping a piece of cardboard onto the inside window frame of the door will minimize heat from the sun coming into your RV. You can also use Reflectix Foil Door Window Cover to keep the sun and heat out — if you're going to be in hot temperatures for longer periods of time and don't mind your windows being covered all the time. You can use Reflectix Foil Insulation for insulating RV windows. It looks like silver bubble wrap that you tape onto your windows. You can also use the Reflectix Tape to ensure proper adhesion.
4. Another way to keep cool is by insulating your fan vent and skylight with an RV Vent Insulator with a reflective surface. This will keep the cool air from escaping up into the vent. As well, it will keep the sun from beating down into the spaces below. Your ceiling fan helps circulate the air in your RV living space. Since your AC vents are in the ceiling, you'll want to adjust your fan's direction to push the cool air down.
RV TIP: Replace your vents with Spaceport AC closable ceiling vents. You can even turn them to help with airflow.
5. Closing off rooms conserves and concentrates the airflow in the area that you want it. If you spend time in your kitchen and living area, close the bedroom and bathroom door and AC output vents. This will help your AC unit force the cold air only in the spaces you want it.
6. Incandescent and halogen lights emit tons of heat when they are turned on. Shut them down for the day and use your LED lights instead. Televisions and electronics (eg. computers) get warm when they've been on for any period of time. Turning them off lessens the electricity draw and allows more energy to go to the Air Conditioner.
7. Cooking on your stovetop or in your oven obviously gives off heat. On hot days, eat cold foods, go out to eat, or cook outdoors and BBQ.
8. Close the door! Minimizing opening the door will allow the cool air to stay in and the hot air to stay out.
9. You should clean your AC output and intake vents AT LEAST MONTHLY. Make sure nothing is blocking the air flow in each.
10. Remember to service your AC unit every year. This will minimize expensive repairs down the road.
O'Connor RV techs are qualified and knowledgeable to service all your AC components.