7 Essential Tips – How to Keep Your Camper Cool in Summer
Posted by Heatso on 12th Jun 2023
When the summer heat arrives, it's essential to ensure your camper remains cool and comfortable. Maintaining a pleasant temperature inside your RV enhances your overall camping experience and contributes to your well-being and enjoyment.
7 ESSENTIAL TIPS – HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAMPER COOL IN SUMMER
THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING YOUR CAMPER COOL IN SUMMER
When the summer heat arrives, it's essential to ensure your camper remains cool and comfortable. Maintaining a pleasant temperature inside your RV enhances your overall camping experience and contributes to your well-being and enjoyment.
Heat build-up inside your RV can lead to discomfort, sleepless nights, and potential health risks. By effectively preparing for the hot summer months, you can create a cool, safe space to retreat when the heat becomes unbearable. In this blog, we will explore 7 essential tips to help you beat the heat and keep your camper cool throughout the summer.
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1. OPTIMIZE VENTILATION AND AIRFLOW IN YOUR RV
Understanding the basics of air circulation is essential for setting up a comfortable environment. If you don't have an air conditioner, you'll have to rely on creating either a passive or an active cross breeze. Whether you decide to just open your windows or install a couple roof vents, keep in mind how the air moves in your cabin, and plan accordingly to get the most cooling.
Opening Windows and Roof Vents
Start by opening windows strategically throughout your RV. Positioning them in a way that promotes cross-ventilation can help create a breeze inside. Using roof vents is an easy way to improve air circulation, as it gives hot air an escape as it rises.
Using Window and Vent Covers
Direct sunlight can heat the inside of your cabin in just a couple of hours. If you’re staying outdoors, set up some window covers, such as blinds or reflective covers, to keep your motorhome cool for longer. Vent covers are a great option, because they allow you to keep your windows open even if it’s raining.
Installing Vent Fans for Improved Air Circulation
Installing a roof vent fan like the MaxxAir MaxxFan Deluxe can help if you stay on a campsite with no wind. When the sun is scorching hot, and there’s not so much as a light breeze, a 12V roof fan is a lifesaver. It forces the air in, providing air circulation at all times. Check out our in-depth guide which covers choosing a van roof vent, and how to install them correctly.
2. INSULATE YOUR RV TO MINIMIZE HEAT TRANSFER
Proper insulation plays a crucial role in keeping your camper cool during hot summer days. By minimizing heat transfer, insulation helps maintain a comfortable temperature inside your RV. Proper insulation is just as important in summer as in winter, so be sure to read our complete insulation guide for more tips and suggestions.
Sealing Leaks and Drafts
Before adding insulation, ensure that your RV is free from air leaks and drafts. Check windows, doors, vents, and other openings for potential gaps or cracks. Use weatherstripping, caulk, or foam sealants to seal these areas to prevent your cool air from escaping.
Adding Insulation to Walls and Roof
Fiberglass, foam, or pre-cut woven AutoPly insulation are ideal for reducing heat absorption. Without insulation, a van is just a metal box which heats up and quite literally turns into an oven. AutoPly is precision cut for campers and van conversions and can be installed in under an hour.
Using Reflective Insulation on Windows
In the summer, you may want to enjoy the sunshine and blue skies while you can. If you’ll be spending most of your time outside, be sure to invest in some cheap reflective covers for your windows. The panels will prevent heat from entering through your windows, so when you come back in the evening, the cabin will be nice and cool.
3. CREATE SHADE AROUND YOUR CAMPER
Shade is nature’s air conditioning. Creating shade around your camper is an easy and practical way of keeping your interior temperature cool during the summer months. By hiding from direct sunlight, you ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable camping experience.
Setting Up Awning or Shade Canopy
An awning or shade canopy provides instant shade and protection from the sun's rays. Install a retractable awning on your camper or set up a portable shade canopy adjacent to your van or RV. These structures offer a shaded area where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors without being directly exposed to the intense heat.
Using Tarps or Reflective Sunshades
Utilize tarps or reflective sunshades to block sunlight from reaching your camper. Erect them on the sunny side of your RV, securing them with ropes or bungee cords to nearby trees or posts. These materials help deflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption, creating a cooler environment inside your camper.
Parking in Shaded Areas or Under Trees
When selecting a camping spot, choose shaded areas whenever possible. Look for campsites with natural tree cover, or park your camper under the shade of large trees. Parking in shaded areas minimizes direct sunlight exposure to your RV, helping to maintain a more comfortable temperature inside.
4. MANAGE INTERIOR HEAT SOURCES
By minimizing heat-generating activities and optimizing appliance usage, you can prevent unnecessary heat inside your RV. Managing interior heat sources means that at the end of the day, your AC will have to work less to keep you cool.
Limiting Cooking Inside the RV
Cooking generates a lot of heat, especially when cooking with a stove or baking in an oven. Instead, you can use the direct sunlight to cook your dinner for you, with the GoSun Fusion solar oven. The solar oven collects solar rays to cook, fry, steam, bake, or boil meals for you in under 1 hour.
Minimizing Appliance Use During the Day
Computers, coffee machines, and even refrigerators generate heat when powered. Although you probably don’t want to turn off your fridge to keep your food fresh, turning off unused appliances can make that small difference. Not to mention that it’s more power efficient.
Using LED Lighting and Energy-Efficient Appliances
Traditional light bulbs generate light by heating up a coil to 4,000 °F (2,200 °C)! They release 90% of their energy in heat, and only 10% as light. Replacing these old lightbulbs with efficient LED lights, you’ll immediately notice your power consumption drop. That’ll also be one less source of heat on the hot summer days.
5. UTILIZE PORTABLE FANS AND VENTILATION DEVICES
Portable fans let you direct the air where you need it the most – right in your face. Being able to adjust the direction of the air current gives a whole new level of comfort, which you’ll never achieve with a few open windows.
Installing Ceiling Fans or Portable Fans
As mentioned before, ceiling fans let you force the air circulation even when there’s no wind. But portable fans like the solar-powered GoSun Breeze let you enjoy the cool breeze indoors, outdoors, and anywhere you like. And you can always adjust the direction and the power so it blows just right.
Using Evaporative Cooling Devices
Evaporative cooling devices are somewhere in between traditional air conditioners and regular fans. If a fan just blows air around, an evaporative cooler has the additional benefit of cooling the air. They’re usually cheaper than an AC and are much more power efficient, but not as effective for large areas. Evapolar have a great swamp cooler buying guide if you’d like to learn more.
6. PORTABLE AIR CONDITIONERS FOR CAMPERS, VANS, AND RVs
If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to keep your camper cool, it’s portable air conditioners. Portable ACs for campers like the Zero Breeze Mark 2 or EcoFlow Wave are ideal for scorching summer days. On top of cooling, portable air conditioners for your camper also dehumidify the air and can run on rechargeable batteries for up to 12 hours.
Understanding Portable AC Options for RVs
We offer a wide range of portable and roof-mounted ACs and it can be difficult to choose the right one. That’s why we made a comprehensive guide to choosing the best portable AC, so you can pick the right option based on cooling output, portability, and budget. ACs like the Zero Breeze Mark 2 or Dometic RTX 2000 are compact, lightweight, and easy to install, making them ideal for on-the-go or mounted cooling. They typically operate on 12V DC power, making them compatible with RV electrical systems or portable power stations.
Pros and Cons of Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners have some amazing advantages, but we’d be biased if we didn’t mention their few drawbacks. Primarily, portable air conditioners are the most expensive option for staying cool. Also, although most air conditioners have built-in power supplies, they still need a power source to charge from (like the grid, or solar panels). But these cons are outweighed by the unparalleled comfort provided by high-quality portable air conditioning units.
7. PLAN YOUR ACTIVITIES AND SCHEDULE AHEAD
Planning your activities and scheduling wisely can greatly contribute to staying cool and enjoying your time in the camper during summer. By considering the timing of your adventures and strategically incorporating breaks, you can make the most of the cooler parts of the day.
Exploring During Cooler Times of the Day
To avoid the peak heat of the day, plan your outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, or sightseeing, during the cooler times. Early morning and late afternoon to evening are generally the coolest parts of the day. By starting your outdoor adventures early or waiting until the temperatures drop, you can minimize exposure to intense mid-day heat.
Taking Breaks in the Shade
When you’re exploring a new city or the wild outdoors, be sure to take breaks in the shade. If you’re looking to cool down, places like museums, cafes, or shopping malls are usually air-conditioned.
Maximizing Time Outdoors in the Early Morning or Late Evening
A sunrise hike, a picnic breakfast, or enjoying the sunset while camping has its benefits. Not only do you get to appreciate some breathtaking views, but you’ll also be successfully avoiding the hottest times of the day, enjoying relief from the heat.
ENJOYING A COOL AND COMFORTABLE SUMMER IN YOUR RV
Keeping your camper, van, or RV cool during the summer is essential for a comfortable camping experience. From optimizing air circulation and improving your insulation to making the most of cutting-edge portable air conditioners, there are numerous ways to stay cool. With these 7 tips, you can ensure a cool and comfortable summer in your RV, allowing you to fully embrace the joys of camping while staying refreshed and revitalized.
ENJOYING A COOL AND COMFORTABLE SUMMER IN YOUR RV
Keeping your camper, van, or RV cool during the summer is essential for a comfortable camping experience. From optimizing air circulation and improving your insulation to making the most of cutting-edge portable air conditioners, there are numerous ways to stay cool. With these 7 tips, you can ensure a cool and comfortable summer in your RV, allowing you to fully embrace the joys of camping while staying refreshed and revitalized.
