Best RV Air Conditioner With Heat Pump (Reviews & Buying Guide 2022)

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Are you planning a trip in your RV this summer? If you plan to do so,you must be aware that comfort is the most critical aspect to consider while traveling in the RV. You can do several upgrades in RV and attach the best RV air conditioner with heat pump to make your RV trip more comfortable.

There are tons of best rv ac unit, but it is tough to choose a best air conditioner that fulfills all the crucial requirements and fits in a budget. You don’t need to worry about this anymore as we have come up with best air conditioners with heat pump recommended by regular RVers.

We have put our time and efforts and reviewed regular RVers to find the best RV air conditioner. After immense analysis, we came to an outcome that Domestic Brisk II rooftop AC is one of the best ACs for your RV. This quality RV air conditioner is easy to install and has Hi-tech materials along with a durable design.

Comparison Table of The Best RV Air Conditioner With Heat Pump

[amazon table=”8109″]

How We Decided

–We researched every product, we review with our own.

Research

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Test Hour

35

Research Duration

Expert's Opinion

07

Expert’s Opinions

Customer Reviews

225

Customers Reviews

What Are The Best RV air conditioner with heat pump?

Here are some of the Best RV Air Conditioner With Heat Pump we found:

01. Dometic Brisk II Rooftop AC, 13500 BTU – Polar White (B57915.XX1C0)

Salient Feature

  • Voltage: 110 volts
  • Wattage: 2800 watts
  • Cooling Power (In BTUs): 13500
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Performance: 13500 BTU/h
  • Folding: No

If you wish to buy an excellent RV air conditioner with a heat pump, you must consider Dometic Risk II rooftop AC.

Dometic is famous as one of the best brands for RV air conditioners. The user rating of Dometic products is very high, and users are much satisfied with the products. The features of the products are very advanced. So, that could be one of the reasons to grab the first spot in the list of best RV air conditioners.

The Dometic Brisl II RV AC is at the number 1 position in this article. The reason is that is has a high-performative fan and motor combination. This combination provides an airflow rating of 350 CFM.

When you purchase the Dometic Brisk II AC, you will be getting Dometic AC B59715.XX1C0 brisk AIR II 13.5 upper unit. The unit’s weight is just 72 pounds, considered the lightweight in the RV AC formats.

The vehicle service type is an RV motor home concession trailer. If we talk about the cooling power, the unit’s rate is 13500 per hour that is quite decent for RV cooling.

One more reason to say this model efficient that it provides this rate while having a power consumption rating of 1670 watts. This Unit of RV air conditioner with a heat pump is very famous among the users and comes with a 2-year warranty.

Pros

  • Powerful fan and effective motor
  • The build quality is amazing
  • It consumes comparatively low power
  • The efficiency of the product is very high

Cons

  • The product is difficult to install.

02. Black + Decker BPACT14HWT Portable Air Conditioner, 14,000 BTU w Heat, White

Salient Feature

  • Voltage: 115 volts
  • Wattage: 1450 watts
  • Cooling Power (In BTUs): 14000
  • Warranty: 1 years
  • Performance: 14000 BTU/h
  • Folding: No

If you don’t want to get into the hassle of installing an air conditioner in the RV, you must check out the Black plus decker portable air conditioner.

Quiet and Powerful- It is one of the best and compact air conditioners with 14000 BTU. It will help you stay relaxed and comfortable all summer. You can leverage an adjustable fan. The speed of the fan cools the air to 65′ F at the coldest setting.

Cools the area quickly- This portable Unit offers adequate and steady cooling for the site up to 350 sq feet. So, you can easily use this portable Unit in your RV. Additionally, you can take this portable Unit out of the RV and use it wherever you want.

Easy and fast to employ – The best part of this portable Unit is that you don’t require to be an expert to install it. You need to fit the wheels under the unit and move it wherever you need. You can quickly put this into your RV.

Easy to operate and clean – You can easily control the air temperature with its simple remote, and top-mounted LED display along with 24-hour times. If you feel that the AC is required to be cleaned, move out the filters two times in a month, rinse it under the flowing water, and put it back.

Three functions in 1 system – It has a combination of 3 energy-efficient features. The portable RV air conditioner system contains a fan, dehumidification, and cool modes for all ventilation and cooling requirements.

Pros

  • The product is tiny and compact
  • It has a Dehumidification feature
  • Offers coolness as well as saves energy
  • It contains Extraordinary window kits

Cons

  • It is slightly expensive compared to others.

03. Dometic 651816 651816.CXX1C0 Penguin HP 15k air conditioner withHeat Pump

Salient Feature

  • Voltage: 120 volts
  • Wattage: 1747 watts
  • Cooling Power (In BTUs): 15000
  • Warranty: 1 years
  • Performance: 15000 BTU/h
  • Folding: No

It is another Dometic product on our list. As we have mentioned above, Dometic is one of the most trusted and reliable brands in the RV air conditioner industry.

The product from Dometic is one of the most effective yet straightforward products. And yes, sometimes simples are the best. The Dometic Penguin HP does not have some of the extraordinary features that other units do. But it offers excellence when we talk about clean performance.

Is it noisy? – We think that people who have used Dometic products never ask this question. The air conditioners from Dometic are considered as the most silent ones for an RV industry. And this is the desirable feature for a person who wants to sleep in his RV and wants to get cooling at the same time.

It is the perfect unit for the people who travel all year round in their RV. The reason is that they love the heat pump and the same as the cold air; the heat is transmitted throughout the RV to make staying warm with easiness.

The major drawback of the product is its weight. It weighs more than 100 pounds, and that makes the installation process way more complicated.

Pros

  • It contains a unique heat pump
  • It offers 15K BTU, which is more than enough
  • The operation of the product is comparatively less noisy
  • Perfect for both non-ducted and ducted systems.

Cons

  • It is not easily portable due to 109 pounds weight
  • It is challenging to install in the RV.

04. Dometic Air Conditioners B59186.XX1C0 Brisk Air 2 Heat Pump

Salient Feature

  • Voltage: 110 volts
  • Wattage: 3000 watts
  • Cooling Power (In BTUs): 15000
  • Warranty: 1 years
  • Performance: 15000 BTU/h
  • Folding: No

As previously mentioned, the Dometic products are ruling the RV air conditioner industry. We have covered the best four Dometic products in our fivebest RV air conditioner having heat pump.

It is another best product by the Dometic. It is manufactured by The Dometic Air conditioner. If looking for an RV air conditioner with lightweight and easy to install, you should check out this unit.

The weight of the product is just 81 pounds. You can easily install the product as it is a lightweight unit. The best part of this RV air conditioner is that it is compact. The actual size of the product is 28*26*13 inches. It will require less space in your RV and produce an astonishing amount of cooling while traveling.

The Dometic Air Conditioner Brisk AIR 2 operates on 110 volts. The wattage it requires is 3000 watts.

The people who have bought this product loved the noise level as it is not noisy at all. Dometic products are highly famous for their noise level. One more thing the customers loved about the product is its installation process. You can install the unit with easiness. The lightweight of the unit helps to do so.

The hole of the product is that the unit does not come with a control board. It comes only with the air conditioner.

Pros

  • You can easily install the unit.
  • The weight of the system is very light.
  • It generates very low noise.

Cons

  • The unit does not come with a control board
  • It is somewhat expensive with respect to others.

05. Dometic B59196.XX1C0 Brisk Air II air conditioner with Heat Pump

Salient Feature

  • Voltage: 120 volts
  • Wattage: 2822 watts
  • Cooling Power (In BTUs): 15000
  • Warranty: 1 years
  • Performance: 15000 BTU/h
  • Folding: No

The Dometic Air conditioner B59196.XX1C0 is a slightly heavier and bigger version of the previous unit.

It is another most useful output by the Dometic. The Dometic Air conditioner produces the product. If you are looking for an RV air conditioner which, is comfortable installing, you should unquestionably check out this unit.

The weight of the product is just 84 pounds.

You can install the product as it is a lightweight unit. The best part of this RV air conditioner is that it is small in size. The actual size of the product is 28*26*13 inches. It will need less space in your RV and deliver an extraordinary amount of cooling while driving.

The Dometic Air Conditioner Brisk AIR II operates on 120 volts. The wattage it needs is 3000 watts.

The people who have purchased this product liked the low noise level as it is not noisy. Dometic products are profoundly recognized for their low noise level.

One more thing the customers enjoyed about the product is its installation process. You can install the product with nonchalance. The lightweight of the unit helps to do so.

The disadvantage of the product is that the unit does not come with a control board. It comes only with the air conditioner.

Pros

  • The installation process is easy
  • Comparatively Lightweight than other products.
  • It Produces very low noise.

Cons

  • The unit does not come with a control board
  • Bit costly

Relevant Article:

How to Choose the best RV air conditioner with a heat pump?

If you are a regular camper, undoubtedly, you require an Air conditioner. Especially for the summer season, because no one loves to sleep in the heat. You will need an air conditioner that fulfills all your requirements.

But, before picking up any air conditioner for your RV, you need to understand certain a few of things. We know that the requirements vary from person to person. But general, things won’t change ever. The best RV air conditioner with a heat pump has to have great power, compact sizing. Here are the few things you need to care about while choosing the best RV air conditioner with a heat pump.

Size

One of the essential things to consider while buying the best RV air conditioner is the system’s size you are placing in. if you are struggling with your RV into its covered storage area, you should go for the system with a lower profile.

You will easily find the smaller-profile Air conditioner. Also, it gives excellent gas mileage. The best thing about the compact-sized RV A/C is that it does not create as much drag as a bigger unit. People often say that a compact RV air conditioner usually offers less cooling power. So, you need to weigh your picks carefully.

Dual Usage

Some of the RV air conditioner brands offer dual usage. They include a heat pump along with the AC. It seems amazing. The reason is it offers you a way to warm your RV without using the inefficient RV propane furnace.

However, an air conditioner with heat pump is an expensive unit. But, it could be a great deal if you can get it at a low or discounted price. If you are 365 days camper, you should opt for an air conditioner with a heat pump.

Power

If you are about to buy an air conditioner with heat pump for your RV, power is the number one factor to consider. The general RV air conditioner with heat pump comes with a power of 13500 BTU of output.

If you use your RV throughout the year, we recommend getting an air conditioner with higher output. You should check out 15,000 BTU air conditioner as it offers the maximum amount of output.

Some campers do not go on a trip in a warm season; they should go with a smaller price tag and a less power RV A/C. Suppose you are still in a dilemma about choosing the perfect RV air conditioner. In that case, you can take the help of the below-mentioned table to calculate BTUs for a portable air conditioner.

Size of the room in sq. Feet Size of the area in sq. Ft. Recommended BTUs Full sun Kitchen
20*30 600 14000 15400 18000
20*20 400 12000 13200 16000
15*20 300 10000 11000 14000
10*20 200 8000 8000 12000

What is a heat pump on RV AC?

An air conditioner with heat pump is an essential feature that most of the brands offer nowadays. There are lots of campers who prefer buying an air conditioner with a heat pump. The purpose of a heat pump is to give an extra avenue of heat to LP.

The heat pump process is to reverse the working of an AC, and the heat from the outer part of the RV is being transferred to the inside of an RV. As the name itself, the heat pump transmits heat from one place to another.

Types of Best RV Air Conditioners heater combo

  • Portable Recreational Vehicle AC

Portable RV air conditioners are affordable but need to acquire adequate space. This ac comes with one or two holes to throw out the air outside and between the ac. However, if you are using a single hose due to poor ventilation will come inside the room. Moreover, the compressor inside the space can create annoying sounds in your RV.

  • AC without Vent

It is also known as a swamp cooler. These ACs are small in size and can fit into small spaces. Even there is no refrigeration process required to cool down the air. Moreover, it uses evaporation to cool down the room.

Hence this Vent-free portable AC consumes low energy. Due to incomplete evaporation, water can leak all over the floor.

  • Air Conditioner on a rooftop

This AC is the first choice of customers for RV. Moreover, you don’t need to make extra space in your RV to keep this rooftop AC. Besides this, these rooftops range from 5000 to 15,000 BTU per hour.

It can cool up at least 10feet by 50feet area. Whereas if you are looking for low energy consumption, this is not the best choice. However, the maintenance cost of rooftop AC is a bit expensive.

  • Window Air Conditioner

RV window AC cools down the small place frequently. Moreover, it doesn’t need a big area for the installation, as it sets up on the window. Along with this, you can get a mini window AC of 14 inches, which opens horizontally. Also, this AC has all the essential components within one box. It is easy to maintain window AC. Overall, Window AC is the best choice for your RV.

How many BTU do I need for my RV?

ROOM SIZE BASED BTU CHART

Room Size Required BTUs Room Size Required BTUs
150 sq. ft. 5,000 BTU’s 700 sq. ft. 14,000 BTU’s
250 sq. ft. 6,000 BTU’s 1,000 sq. ft. 18,000 BTU’s
300 sq. ft. 7,000 BTU’s 1,200 sq. ft. 21,000 BTU’s
350 sq. ft. 8,000 BTU’s 1,400 sq. ft. 23,000 BTU’s
400 sq. ft. 9,000 BTU’s 1,600 sq. ft. 25,000 BTU’s
450 sq. ft. 10,000 BTU’s 1,900 sq. ft. 28,000 BTU’s
550 sq. ft. 12,000 BTU’s 2,700 sq. ft. 36,000 BTU’s

What should things be considered while calculating the BTU of AC?

It is essential to check the BTU before buying an air conditioner. It is the standard measurement unit of how many units of heat an AC can remove.

Number of the people in the room

We all generate heat; if the number of people is more, the heat generation will be high. Therefore, you must consider the number of people in the RV to calculate BTU. But, if there are more than two people, you need to add 600 BTU for the AC.

The flooring of the RV

However, it’s essential to consider RV’s flooring to calculate BTUs as the terrace of the RV receives direct sunlight. You need 10% of extra BTU if the room has direct contact with sunlight.

Number of windows and shades

Usually, the number of windows and shades has a significant effect on cooling. If there are more windows in your room, there will be a direct passage of sunlight. However, you will need a 10% extra BTU for the AC.

The ability of the room to close off the cooling space

Many times, the two rooms don’t have a door between them. Or you may have a kitchen next to the room. The heat load will be higher. Maybe you need high BTUs to decrease the heat load.

Choose the right BTU

If you choose an AC of low BTU, it will take time to do the cooling. Hence there will be high energy consumption and electric bill generation. Besides this, you need to use the AC for a long time to lower the room temperature.

If the BTU of the AC is too high, it will make your room sticky and humid. Undoubtedly, it will cool the room in no time. But due to faster cooling, there will be less moisture extraction. Furthermore, due to the powerful cooling system, the ac cycle will start and stop frequently.

Therefore, it’s essential to choose the right BTU for your AC.

 

 

Benefits of RV Air Conditioners with heat pump

There plethora of benefits of RV Air Conditioners with heat pump. Few of the significant benefits include:

Keep indoors clean

Indeed, air conditioning helps to keep the air clean inside RVs.If you have AC in your RV, you don’t need to open windows for a cool breeze. Sometimes, moving air can affect your health, as it has germs, dust, and many other foreign particles.

Gives you the maximum comfort in RV

Vacation on RV is a lot of fun. Air conditioning can maximize this fun by giving you the feel of a home. Undoubtedly, AC improves the quality of sleep and provides you the maximum comfort. You can spend a long time on RV with the help of AC during summers.

The cool breeze at low cost

You can install the AC according to your requirement. However, there are different types of AC to keep the indoors cool of RV. If you are planning a vacation on an RV during summer, it will be difficult without AC. However, AC can make your site seeing comfortable and fun.

Maintaining RV Air Conditioners heater combo

We often think that AC on RV doesn’t require any maintenance. But you need to clean and maintain the AC frequently. You should follow the below-mentioned steps to maintain your RV AC:

Check the leakage

Check the rubber gasket mounting on the roof and the AC. Along with this, keep checking it regularly to look if there is any rainwater leakage.

The leakages can be harmful to rooftop AC. Change the gasket rubber before it gets too late.

  • Check Cooling fins

For continuous airflow, cooling fins should be straight. However, to straight them up, you can use a comb or blunt knife.

  • Check thermostat

Keep an eye on the thermostat to make sure that it’s working correctly. Furthermore, if the thermostat is old and damaged, replace it with a new one. An automatic thermostat is the best choice for the temperature variation in your RV.

Also, check the wires of the thermostat. If there is overheating or burnt wires, call the technician.

  • Clean the filters

However, dust particles, pollen, and moulds can damage the filter easily. Therefore, use the warm water to clean the filters thoroughly.

Besides this, clean the filters at least once a year to avoid the permanent damage of filters. However, the replacement of filters can cost you a lot.

  • Clean condenser and evaporator

Nevertheless, a small dust particle can damage the evaporator coils. It’s essential to clean the evaporator coils thoroughly. Use a soft bristle brush to clean all the tiny particles from the evaporator.

Also, use spray oil to clean condenser coils thoroughly.

  • Clean the Condensate tube

The drain tube can get clogged due to the forming of the line by bacteria in it. Therefore, keep a regular check on the drain tube.

  • Inspect the AC physically

Physical inspection of the RV AC is required. There can be cracks or any physical damage. Firstly, switch off the AC and disconnect the main power supply. However, foreign particles can lead to severe damages to the AC.

How do I keep my RV cool in the summer?

Sweat summers are the time to hit vacation on RVs – a home away from home. Check out the quirky tips to keep your RVs cool while enjoying the feeling of home on wheels.

  • Windows Protection

A glass sheet can’t stop the heat from the sun. However, you need insulated windows; they can block the heat in summers and cold during winters.

  • Make shade

However, you can create natural shade to protect yourself from heat. You can create a shadow by tying the eco-friendly straps on trees. Park your RV under trees during the afternoon time to save it from becoming a hot dog.

  • Maintain the efficiency of your cooling system

To keep your cooling system working efficiently, you need to clean its parts regularly. Also, clean the filters frequently for efficient cooling. If the filters are dirty or damaged, change them instantly.

  • Flow with the Air

Go with the flow of air. Before going on vacation, check out the weather condition of your holiday destination. Open up your windows to let the cold breeze flow inside your home on wheels.

  • Use Portable Fan

Portable can help you to cool your RV. Moreover, use two portable fans. During evenings, Setup one fan on the window pointing inwards to throw cool air from outside and the second fan pointing outwards to throw out the hot air from inside

  • Elude indoor kitchen

Avoid indoor kitchens and cooking. Don’t use an oven or stove during summer times, as it increases the temperature of RV. You can cook food outdoors or can eat somewhere in the right place.

  • LEDs

LEDs consume low energy as compared to bulbs. Additionally, it keeps RVS cool during summers too. Don’t forget to switch off the electricity during day time to prevent energy consumption.

  • Maintain fridge vents

The fridge can dump immense heat to keep your food cool. Clean the fridge vents regularly to leave the heat appropriately. However, this radiated heat can increase the temperature of RVs areas.

How can I make my RV air conditioner more efficient?

You can make your RV air conditioner more efficient by below-mentioned tips:

Maintenance

Regular cleaning of all the components is the first thing to keep your AC working. Clean the filters thoroughly. Use lukewarm water with detergent to clean it thoroughly.

Also, you can use spray oil or detergent water to clean the compressor too.

Check the drainpipe; it should not be clogged.

Clean the fridge vent regularly.

  • Check the Voltage

Low voltage can create severe damage to your AC. You should have at least 115 volts units for the AC.

Switch off the electrical equipment if you are not using them. Don’t switch on lights during the day time; enjoy the daylight.

  • Shades

It’s essential to have a shade on your RV to prevent it from overheating. Park your vehicle under the shade of a tree during a summer afternoon.

Use awning on doors and windows to provide a cooler interior to your RV.

  • Ignore a few things

Avoid cooking food inside the RV to maintain the temperature inside the RV.

  • Use AC/ Swamp coolers/ Fan

For perfect cooling, you should use AC effectively. Moreover, choose the ideal AC according to your RV requirement and space, closing all the doors and windows before switching on the AC.

You can use Swamp coolers also.

  • Throw hot air outside the RV

However, you can install a roof Vent cover to throw all hot exhaust air out of the RV.

Besides this, you can use two portable fans at the window: throw the cool air inside and throw all hot exhaust air outside.

How do I switch from AC to the heater?

On the arrival of the cold season, it’s essential to the shutdown of your AC. You should clean the coils, dry the drainage, and cover the AC unit to prevent it from the cold environment.

Make sure you fire up the furnace before it gets too cold.

Check the steps below to switch it from AC to heater:

  • Adjust your thermostat – Firstly, switch your thermostat at the temperature you require. Now change it from cold to heat.

Wait for 30 seconds – You will hear the motor fan’s sound and the “click” sound of the ignition as the gas starts flowing. Give your appliance 30 seconds to achieve the ignition, though.

What if it gets shut down after this step?

Suppose your system keeps shutting down after this step. Because maybe the furnace is dirty, or the furnace sensor can be defective and can detect the flame.

How to resolve this shutdown problem of the appliance?

There are two solutions to this problem. Firstly, check whether the gas valve is on or not.

Altogether check if the thermocouple is clean or not. If it’s not clean, you can use sandpaper to remove the thick layer of dust.

After cleaning your thermocouple, you may smell the burning smell of dust particles. Open all the house’s windows and ventilation so that the smell won’t get trapped in your household.

Just in case if it’s still showing a problem, call the technician to handle it.

Overall, it will be better to clean up your thermocouple and thermostat before the beginning of the winter season.

Is it bad to switch from AC to heat?

It’s adequate to switch from Ac to heat and vice-versa. As long as you are not increasing your energy consumption and wearing out your electrical appliance, you can do it more often.

There are specific steps to be followed to switch from AC to heat. Firstly, make sure that your thermostat is in automatic mode and not in a manual way. If your AC is on, let it switch off and then OFF the thermostat. Meanwhile, wait for five minutes and change it from AC to heat.

If you don’t wait for five minutes, the high-pressure compressor can lock up.

Conclusion

Hence, there are many AC for your RV. Windows RV conditioner with heat pump is the best choice to make your RV fun double. For a short vacation and sightseeing, RV is the best choice.

With AC, you can get the best experience on this home on wheels. You can buy different RV AC with heat pump according to your requirement.

I hope this article has cleared all your doubts about the purchase and maintenance of AC.

Enjoy the vacation on RV with the best AC with a heat pump.

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FAQs

Why Is My RV heat and AC running at the same time?

There could be an electric issue within your RV AC unit. It might cause your heater to turn on when it should not. The issues could be explained by the shorted wiring, an electric issue with your thermostat, and faulty electronics.

Does a heat pump cool as good as an air conditioner?

Both the air conditioners and heat pumps come in models with high SEER ratings. It offers energy-efficient cooling in the heated summer months. A heat pump could be a better option for efficient heating in moderately warm areas than in places with frigid winters.

Who makes the best RV AC unit?

As we have mentioned in this article, the Dometic brand is one of the most popular RV Air conditioner manufacturers. It is the choice by most of the RVers as it creates less noise.

What is the best portable air conditioner with a heater?

We have made a list of 5 best RV air conditioners with heat pump. You can choose one from it according to your requirements because an RV AC’s requirements differ from person to person.

Does the AC compressor run when the heat is on?

Yes, the AC compressor runs when the heat is on. The heat pump will not operate at a temperature of fewer than 40 degrees because the compressor cannot turn the outer warm to warm air.

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