Cooling Down a Hot RV
Owning an RV is a great way to spend some more time outdoors. If you’re the type who works indoors all day, that extra sun can feel like a true godsend. But there’s also another side to sunny summer vacations: having a hot RV. No one—from the kids to the grandparents and everyone inbetween—likes a hot RV because it makes sleep impossible and everyday activities uncomfortable. So how do you cool down a hot RV, even if you don’t have air conditioning? This short guide will share a few tips for helping you do just that. Give them a shot for yourself, and when you need a new AC unit or other RV services and equipment, stop by Broadmoor RV. We proudly serve customers from Seattle, Richland, Kennewick, and Spokane from our Pasco dealership.
Pick Your Parking Spot
There are a few specific causes for an RV heating up, and one of the most powerful is the amount of direct sunlight it receives. Sunlight contains infrared energy which can warm the air in your trailer or motorhome just like a greenhouse. By finding the right spot, you can limit the exposure of direct sunlight and also reduce the amount of sunlight exposure throughout the course of the day. The best spot will have some shade to keep the sun off, and it will also have some wind exposure to keep the air from getting stagnant and humid. If you find a place with shade from trees, make sure to look up into the branches of the trees and see if there are any loose limbs that might fall in heavy wind and choose another spot if something looks potentially dangerous. If overhead shade isn’t possible, finding a spot with less southern exposure will help, too. In North America, areas with southern exposure get the most hours of direct sunlight per day.
Keep Out Sunlight
Even small areas of direct sunlight in your RV will heat it up quickly, so it’s important to also bring some window coverings into your RV. For motorhomes, a reflective sun shade in front will help to protect what is likely your biggest window and therefore, biggest potential source of heat. Even normal blinds or roman shades can help keep the windows protected, but if you really want to keep out the light, try using insulated window coverings that feature reflective exteriors for redirecting light away from your RV.
Cooler Lighting
It’s important to avoid adding extra heat to your RV, and changing your lighting is an easy way to do that. Normal incandescent light bulbs tend to generate quite a bit of heat. If possible, replace any incandescent bulbs with efficient, bright LED lighting. LED lighting can be quite affordable and it will also last much longer than incandescent lighting. Plus, the heat production of LED is minimal.
Other Forms of Unnecessary Heat & Humidity
In addition to lighting, there are several other potential sources for heat and humidity. A hot shower will add major amounts of humidity to your RV, and as the inside temperature increases, that humid air will become more and more uncomfortable. Try using an outdoor shower set up or taking as cool and short of showers as possible. Cooking is probably the biggest single source of heat and humidity in most RVs. A pot of boiling water can raise the temperature in an RV by several degrees in just a few minutes flat. Do as much cooking as possible outdoors, try eating more raw dishes, and avoid using the oven as much as possible.
Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate!
When you need to deal with the heat that naturally comes into your RV, ventilation is your best friend. Most RVs come with vents above the stove and in the bathroom. These should be used regularly as long as you have access to electricity because they will remove a large amount of heat and humidity and purge the upper parts of your RV from rising heat. Then, when the day starts to cool off at night, throw open your shades and windows and start flushing out the hot indoor heat and replacing it with cool outdoor air.
Dealing with heat in your RV is a project that should be dealt with throughout the day, but if you follow these steps, you’ll keep your RV much cooler than you would otherwise and you don’t even have to use air conditioning. For parts and services for your RV, stop by Broadmoor RV in Pasco, Washington. We proudly serve Seattle, Richland, Kennewick, and Spokane. Give us a call today to see how we can help you keep your RV cool!