Summer can be a real scorcher and without any strategies to beat the heat, your RV can transform from a mobile paradise to a furnace on wheels. Yet, cooling an RV doesn’t have to be rocket science nor does it have to cost an arm and a leg. So, in this guide we will delve into the cheapest way to cool an RV by keeping the summer weather outside.
Maintain a cool, inviting environment inside of your RV with our savvy tips so temperature rises won’t stand a chance against your air conditioning system.
Key Takeaways
Utilizing natural shading and your RV’s awning can shield you from direct sunlight, making your trailer resistive to the summer heat.
Swapping energy-consuming incandescent light bulbs with LED lights can reduce heat production and conserve battery power.
Inexpensive Strategies to Keep Your RV Cool During Summer
We’ve all parked our RV in a scorching spot once, it’s like stepping into a forgotten pizza in an oven. So, what is the cheapest way to cool an RV and transform it into a chill-out zone amidst those strong summer temperatures? Here are some proven methods fit for any wallet size.
1. Park Smart: Find the Shade
Before you park your RV, take a moment to observe your surroundings. The best spot isn’t just about the view, but also the amount of shade it offers against the heat of the summer. Orient your RV such that major window views don’t face the afternoon sun. Such a trivial act is like throwing a right hook at the heat and predictable as it may sound, parking smart along with those window shades pulled down can provide a noticeable difference in your RV temperature.
2. Maximize the Use of Your RV Awning
Roll out the RV’s awning. If you don’t have one, no problem as you can always create makeshift awnings using tarps.
3. Implement Reflective Insulation for Additional Cooling
The sun can be quite a bully, pelting your glass windows with radiating heat. You can fight back with reflective insulation. Cut the insulation to fit each window. Push away from that concept of expensive window awnings to help block the sun and let those window visors give the cooling effect you need.
4. Harness Natural Ventilation: Open Your RV Roof Vents
Your roof vents serve as an automatic release valve for the hot air, beckoning cool air from the outdoors. It is like you have a natural form of RV air conditioning, all thanks to the laws of physics and it doesn’t cost an extra dime!
5. Introducing the Swamp Cooler: An Effective Cooling Device
Swamp Coolers are gadgets known as evaporative air coolers. In dry climates, they are like your personal polar vortex, using proper ventilation to create a cooling effect noticeable enough to give you a sigh of relief. It’s not about the size, it’s the results that matter.
6. Invest in LED Lights
While they lighten up your face with their brightness, traditional bulbs are mini heaters in disguise. Making a switch to LED can save you a chunk of battery power and sparklingly embrace a cooler RV.
Innovative and Low-Cost Techniques to Maintain Cool Temperatures
Enhancing your cooling approach with these innovative and budget-friendly tweaks can keep your RV ambiance refreshing even when your RV’s in-built air conditioning system just can’t keep up with those harsh summer temperatures.
7. Discover the Effectiveness of Portable Fans
Portable fans move that cool air around, giving a refreshing feel that can stand toe-to-toe with the summer heat. On top of that, they pull cool air into your RV, efficiently managing the interior temperature without burning too much of your RV’s precious battery power.
8. Use Smart Window Orientation for Enhanced Cooling
An intelligent window orientation where the windows are turned away from the direction of the main sunlight can make a natural cooling system. Complement this with window covers, and you have a cost-effective dressing against the sun-baked heat.
9. Close Your Windows in the Morning for Lower Temperature
When you’re trying to keep your rig cool, a little bit of strategic thinking can go a long way. Closing your windows in the morning is actually one of the simplest yet effective strategies.
At night, the air cools down, and opening your windows at night can draw in that cool breeze, providing a nice, comfortable sleeping environment. But as the sun rises and the temperature starts to crawl back up, keeping your windows open will allow that warm air to seep in.
That’s when those insulated windows come in handy. Closing your windows in the morning traps that cool night-time air inside, helping to maintain a lower temperature inside your RV on those hot summer days.
10. Cook Al Fresco to Decrease Heat Inside the RV
Cooking generates a lot of heat, and in the confined spaces of an RV, that heat build-up can turn your living area into a makeshift sauna. So instead of slaving away over a hot stove indoors, try cooking outdoors. Not only does it provide a fun camping experience, but by keeping your heat sources outside, you’re actively helping with RV cooling.
11. Maintain Your RV Door Shaded for Lower Influx of Heat
Under extreme heat, entering and exiting your RV can become unpleasant with the blaze of sun hitting you right at the door. Setting up an RV awning or finding a shady spot for your travel trailer to park can dramatically reduce the influx of heat.
It might not seem like a big deal, but every little bit helps when you’re trying to maintain a comfortable temperature in your camper. So, park where your door is shaded, preferably with electric hookups. That minimizes the direct sunlight on your door area, making your comings and goings a much cooler affair.
Less Known Yet Effective Tips to Cool Your RV
The cheapest way to cool an RV isn’t limited to the well-known methods. In fact, there are a plethora of less known, yet equally effective tips to combat the heat.
12. Increase Airflow for Efficient Cooling
Increasing airflow can work wonders for efficient cooling. Try to create a draw in cooler air from one end of your RV and vent out the warm air from the other. It may involve installing vent covers over the existing roof vents to help increase ventilation.
With a vent cover on both ends of your RV to help promote cross-ventilation, you can essentially create a cool breeze inside your rig. Combine that with some proper maintenance of the cooling system and you’ll be enjoying a refreshing indoor climate even under excess heat in your RV.
13. Pay Attention to Your Fridge: Clean Vents Regularly
Your refrigerator is a lifeline when you’re on the road. You need it to keep your food safe and fresh, but it can also be a source of unwanted heat. Regularly maintaining and cleaning the fridge vents can help keep the heat at bay. Just be mindful to clear any obstructions and keep the vents dirt-free to encourage efficient functioning.
14. Turn off Unnecessary Electronics for Reduced Heat
Too many gadgets left on can turn your living space into an indoor sunroom, without the joy of plants and sun loungers. Unnecessary electronics contribute to the heat, so doing a quick check to turn off what’s not in use can cut down on the warmth.
15. Keep the Door Shut: A Simple Yet Effective Tip
If there’s one thing coming out of experience, it’s that keeping the RV door shut helps keep the cool air in and the hot air out. Orient your RV so your entryway is in the shade, minimizing the heat influx. Combine that with a shaded outdoor space, and suddenly, you have a strategy that’s both simple and efficient in keeping your space cooler.
16. Have a Look at Dehumidifiers: An Alternative to Air Conditioners
If you’re finding your air conditioning unit isn’t cutting it when it comes to cooling your rig, maybe it’s time to look for an alternative. A portable air conditioner or dehumidifier can do wonders in tackling excessive humidity – the stealthy heat villain. The cooler, less humid air can provide a refreshing difference, making that RV life just a little bit more comfortable.
17. Cover Skylights to Minimize Heat Intake
Using insulating covers to block that wayward solar wanderer can drastically reduce the heat intake, turning your RV into a cool haven even in the sweltering summer days. So next time that sun knocks, you can politely show it to the door with your skylight cover.
Keeping Your Air Conditioning System Efficient
The key to a refreshing oasis in your RV is maintaining efficiency in cooling that involves some regular upkeep.
Regularly Clean Your AC Filters and Vents
The importance of regular maintenance can’t be stressed enough. And cleaning your AC filters and vents falls squarely into that category. Think of it like this: the AC unit is like the lungs of your rig, and nobody wants to breathe through a clogged filter. Dirty or blocked vents hinder the effortless flow of air, trapping warm air within instead of.
A smart tip to curb the heat is to park your RV under shade. The sun glaring down on your RV can turn it into a four-wheel metal sauna. So, seek some shelter under the trees.
Your humble RV awning is a dollar-saving charm. Rather than splurging on elaborate cooling devices, unfurling your awning, and letting it do its job is a neat trick. It blocks the sun, offers extra living space, and adds some theatrical flair to your RV life.
You should not underestimate the potential of reflective insulation. Whenever you park your RV under the sun, it will reflect the heat right back, keeping things cool. Strategically placing efficient ventilation systems, including your rooftop vents, can make a big difference as well.
Wrapping Up: Staying Cool in Your RV Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
To wrap up the story, keeping your RV cool in the sweltering summer doesn’t need to rip through your wallet. Brushing up on your window orientation skills to create a cooler interior, using savvy portable fans or a mini swamp cooler, and switching to LED lights are some of the cheapest ways to cool your RV. If royalty is being able to chill in your RV while the rest of the world sweats buckets, don these tips and live like the king of the road!
My name is Eddie, and I am an RV enthusiast! I have enjoyed traveling all my life, and want to give my family the same opportunities to see as much of the world as possible.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered how great RVs can be for vacations with a young family. Here at RV Lifestyle Experts, I want to share my experiences, the tips I’ve picked up along the way. I hope that our guides can encourage you to try the RV lifestyle. I promise you that you won’t regret it!
My name is Eddie, and I am an RV enthusiast! I have enjoyed traveling all my life, and want to give my family the same opportunities to see as much of the world as possible.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered how great RVs can be for vacations with a young family. Here at RV Lifestyle Experts, I want to share my experiences, the tips I’ve picked up along the way. I hope that our guides can encourage you to try the RV lifestyle. I promise you that you won’t regret it!