Love Your RV AC and It Will Love You Back
Have you never used your RV air conditioner system? I didn’t think so. Okay, maybe one or two of you only haven’t because you only camp above the Arctic Circle. But most RVers like me view RV air conditioners as a must-have, must-use RV accessory on any warm weather adventure.
When the temps creep into the 80’s and 90’s, even the triple digits, we rely on our RV air conditioners to keep us and our families cool in our rigs.
With all that reliance on one system, you might be wondering:
Depending on who you ask, the expected lifespan of the typical RV air conditioner can be anywhere from five to about 15 years. That’s a big range and it depends on many factors that I will share with you below.
So, let’s turn down the thermostat, get comfy, and take a look at some answers to these RV air conditioner questions. We’ll give you information and tips so you can be one of the coolest rigs in the campground this summer!
What Impacts Your RV Air Conditioner Lifespan?
How long your RV air conditioner lasts will vary with many circumstances such as:
1. Your Air Conditioner Usage Patterns
How often you use your RV air conditioner, especially in extreme heat conditions, will affect its lifespan. The more the air conditioner runs, the sooner it will wear out or break down. Sure, air conditioners are designed to run, and run, and run. Just like our RV generators, our RV air conditioners are workhorses. But, hey, none of our RV systems last forever and our AC units are no exception.
2. Your Air Conditioner Maintenance Practices
You do regularly clean dust from inside the AC filters, and at least annually clean the AC unit’s evaporator and condenser coils up on the roof…don’t you? Well, if you don’t, or if someone doesn’t do it for you, then you can typically expect your RV air conditioner to not last as long as it could with diligent routine maintenance.
3. Environmental Factors
If you use your RV air conditioner in hot climates for long periods, especially without that maintenance mentioned above, expect a shorter lifespan. Add in extremely dusty conditions, such as the desert Southwest, and things can be worse for your trusted cooling friend up there on the roof.
4. RV Air Conditioner Quality
As with most things we purchase, “you get what you pay for”, and that usually goes for RV air conditioners, too. Appliances of good quality, from reputable manufacturers, and with excellent long-time user reviews, will typically last longer. Your RV air conditioner is an important part of your overall RVing experiences, so you always want to go with good quality units.
Signs of RV Air Conditioner Problems
As well as you might take care of your air conditioner (we’ll get to tips for that care below), problems can still arise. Here are signs to recognize as potential problems requiring troubleshooting and possible repair work:
Reduced Cooling Capacity
Your RV air conditioner struggles to maintain your desired inside temperature, even in mildly warm weather.
Unusual noises
You hear abnormal sounds coming from the air conditioner, such as vibration, rattling, grinding, or scraping sounds.
Leaking water
You notice moisture and water leaking from either the air conditioner unit, or from the edges of the frame seal around the roof opening. You may need to tighten the roof mounting bolts.
Ice buildup on the evaporator coils
Cooling is noticeably diminished at the vents and you see ice or frost build up on the unit’s evaporator cooling fins up inside the intake cavity, or on the evaporator coils themselves.
Strange odors
You start noticing a mold or mildew smell, or worse, a potentially dangerous electrical-type burning smell.
If You Need Professional RV AC Help
A few of these RV AC problems can be easily diagnosed and resolved as DIY projects. But, if you are unsure of either the problem or your ability to safely address it, it’s time to consult a qualified RV technician for proper diagnosis and repair.
You can always utilize your RV dealer’s service center, and you may want to if your unit is still under warranty. But many RVers find it most convenient to have a mobile RV Tech come to the RV for the job.
Tips to Extend RV Air Conditioner Lifespan
Given how we depend on our air conditioners to keep us, the kids, and the family pets cool, time spent on proper maintenance is well worth it. Here are some tips to extend your RV air conditioner’s lifespan.
👉 Use your AC unit efficiently.
Avoid running your air conditioner for long periods of time if it isn’t truly needed. If it’s cool enough outside, with low humidity, get all the windows open for a nice fresh airflow. You’ll use less power and lower the risk of an outage too.
👉 Don’t make your AC unit work harder than it has to.
Start your cooling process early enough in the day while temps are still manageable. Don’t wait until the inside of the RV is already an oven, making the unit work hard to bring the temperature down significantly.
👉 Invest in a “soft starter” starting assist kit.
Upgrading to a Soft-Start module to your AC unit can reduce wear and tear during its startup phase.
👉 Use a protective RV AC shroud cover.
During storage, or when parked for long periods of time when the AC is not in use, consider covering the AC unit for added protection from dirt and the elements.
👉 Clean and inspect your RV air conditioner components regularly.
As mentioned earlier, cleaning your inside filters, and the evaporator and condenser coils in the rooftop unit will ensure more efficient operation. Look for cracks and worn gaskets around the unit. (Note: To access most units’ evaporator coils, which are toward the front, you may also need to remove the metal housing underneath the plastic AC shroud. Keep track of the screws and watch the sharp edges. (Always cut the power to the AC unit before doing this rooftop cleaning and maintenance.)
👉 Address any minor issues or symptoms sooner rather than later.
Don’t let a little issue become a big, costly problem.
Don’t Forget RV Air Conditioner Winterization
Do you store your RV in freezing winter conditions? If so, you may want to perform a winterization process. Check your RV air conditioner manufacturer’s owner manual instructions, or their online help resources, for any specific winter storage recommendations.
At a minimum, before storing your RV for the winter, you should:
