4 Different Types of RV Air Conditioners

There are some things I call myself an expert on, and one of those is RV air conditioners. Since I have been RV’ing for 20 years, including the past seven full-time, I have had the pleasure of replacing RV air conditioners five times. RVs can, and do, heat up rapidly with little encouragement from our friend,, the sun.

We depend a lot on RV air conditioners, something I didn’t think much about until they quit working. The importance of an RV air conditioner becomes quite evident in the summertime heat.

We will cover the main types of RV air conditioners in this article and additional important RV air conditioner information.

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What Are the Different RV Air Conditioners Types?

These are the primary RV air conditioner types and why they are made explicitly for RVs, including mine. The two primary types are ducted and non-ducted units.

1. Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Roof-mounted ducted air conditioners use air ducts, typically in the RV ceiling, to channel conditioned air throughout the RV. Ducted units can better control airflow to maximize or minimize cold air where required.

2. Non-ducted RV Air Conditioner

Non-ducted air conditioners are also roof-mounted but with a big difference. They,, too, blow cool air into the RV, but from a single rooftop location. The cool air is blown directly into the RV without a distribution system like air ducts.

Generalized cooling to the RV area where the air conditioner is located, although some RVs may have two non-ducted units to provide more uniform coverage.

3. Portable Air Conditioner

Portable air conditioners can be confused with a tower fan or air purifier. They are smaller, more compact air conditioners that refrigerate air and require a hose vent, similar to a dryer vent, to exhaust the warm air and replace it with conditioned and cooler air. Portable air conditioners are made in various sizes to fit into your RV to bring relief on hot days.

4. Evaporative “Swamp” RV Cooler (Air Conditioner)

Evaporative coolers, or “swamp” coolers, blow air across damp pads or water to inject moisture into the air. Although they are not as effective as air conditioners, they can cool for a more comfortable RV on hot summer days.

In addition, evaporative coolers offer a bonus since some are very small and can be easily moved around inside an RV or even outdoors.

Ducted Rooftop RV Air Conditioners

Ducted air conditioners are the most popular type, especially for larger RVs. They are more efficient with the duct work strategically located throughout the RV to distribute cool air.

The controlled distribution of cool air is essential, especially on days when it is 95°+ with high humidity. It is amazing how much moisture can be removed from the RV interior to help keep the RV environment much cooler.

These are the primary ducted roof air conditioners:

Dometic Brisk Air II

Maximum cooling capacity: 15K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: Yes
Controller: Wall mount/remote control
Roof mount weight: 75 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 110 volts/2800 watts
Dimensions: 28″W x 27″L x 13″H
Color: White

RecPro RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 15K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: Yes
Controller: Remote control
Roof mount weight: 74 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 120 volts/1300 watts
Dimensions: 26″W x 39″L x 13″H
Color: Black

Furrion Chill RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 15K BTU
Includes heat element: No – requires RV furnace
Ducted system: Yes
Controller: Remote control
Roof mount weight: 84 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 120 volts/1650 watts
Dimensions: 34.9″W x 27.5″L x 13.5″H
Color: Black

Atwood 15027 RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 16K BTU
Includes heat element: No
Ducted system: Yes
Controller: Remote control
Roof mount weight: 84 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 120 volts/2000 watts
Dimensions: 21.82″W x 15.6″L x 13.6″H
Color: White

ASA Electronics ACM135B RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 13K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes (option)
Ducted system: Yes
Controller: Remote control
Roof mount weight: 68.4lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: ‎33.46″W x 25.6″L x 15″H
Color: Black

Coleman 48204C866 Mach 15+ RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 15K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: Yes
Controller: No
Roof mount weight: 90 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 120 volts/1800 watts
Dimensions: ‎‎42″W x 28″L x 16″H
Color: White

Airxcel Mach 13.5 RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 13.5K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: Yes
Controller: Wall thermostat
Roof mount weight: 110 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 120 volts/1200 watts
Dimensions: 41″W x 28.25″L x 15.75″H
Color: Black

Douglas DAC-1 RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 15K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: Yes
Controller: Remote control
Roof mount weight: 110 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 120 volts
Dimensions: ‎40.9″W x 22.8″L x 13.1″H
Color: White

Non-Ducted Rooftop RV Air Conditioners

Non-ducted RV air conditioners do not connect to a ducted air distribution system in the RV. This unit blows cool air into the RV from its rooftop location directly into the RV interior.

They have little air control; the air is blown into the RV and can create cold and hot zones based on the AC location. When the RV is larger, it is advisable to install two units. Although the actual cool air output is the same, the cooling effect decreases since the air distribution is less efficient.

The non-ducted RV air conditioner requires an Air Distribution Box (ADP) to distribute the air through directional grills to the RV. The ADP is usually inside the RV on the ceiling and connected to the roof-mounted air conditioner.

The roof-mounted air conditioner then feeds air to the ADB that distributes it throughout the RV interior. In addition, the thermostat control (Manual Control) typically is on the ADP.

These are the top-rated non-ducted RV air conditioners:

RecPro Non-Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 15K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: No
Controller: Remote control
Roof mount weight: 80 lbs. (est.)
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts/1300 watts
Dimensions: 26.75″W x 39″L x 13″H
Color: White

Dometic Brisk II Non-Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 15K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: No (can be non-ducted or ducted)
Controller: Remote control
Roof mount weight: 74 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: 29.18″W x 27.23″L x 12.7″H
Color: White

Atwood Non-Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 15K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: No
Controller: Thermostat in-unit – manual controller
Roof mount weight: 85 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 110 volts/2800 watts
Dimensions: 30″w x 28″L x 14″H
Color: Black or white

Furrion CHILL Rooftop Non-Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 14.5K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: Non-ducted or ducted
Controller: Manual controller
Roof mount weight: 105 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: 36″W x 36″L x 26″H
Color: Black or white

Coleman Mach 3+ Rooftop Non-Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 13.5K BTU
Includes heat element: Yes
Ducted system: Non-ducted or ducted
Controller: Wall thermostat compatible
Roof mount weight: 90 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 120 volts
Dimensions: 41″W x 28″L x 16″H
Color: White

ASA Electronics ACM135B Non-Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 13.5K BTU
Includes heat element: No
Ducted system: Non-ducted or ducted
Controller: Wall thermostat compatible
Roof mount weight: 68.4 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 1215 volts
Dimensions: 33.46″W x 25.6″L x 15″H
Color: Black

RecPro Low-Profile Non-Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 9.5K BTU
Includes heat element: No – Includes dehumidifier
Ducted system: Non-ducted or ducted
Controller: Remote control
Roof mount weight: 68.4 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: 48″W x 42″L x 25″H
Color: Black/white

Furrion Non-Ducted RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 14.5K BTU
Includes heat element: No – Includes dehumidifier
Ducted system: Non-ducted (requires ADB) or ducted
Controller: Manual control (ADB controls)
Roof mount weight: 82 lbs.
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: 34.9″W x 27.5″L x 13.5″H
Color: Black/white

Portable RV Air Conditioners

A portable RV air conditioner provides adequate cooling or a lot of cooling for those super hot days when the rooftop air conditioner is not present or working. These units are small and portable, usually with wheels and pull handles for maneuvering around inside to provide cool air for an RV.

Although not as powerful as a rooftop, they provide adequate cool air when the RV is baking in the hot sun. The newer portable air conditioners have a sleek, modern design that blends in well with the RV’s interior and has advanced electronics.

These are the top-rated RV portable air conditioners:

Honeywell Portable RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 9K BTU
Includes heat element: No
Ducted system: Non-ducted/portable
Controller: Digital remote control
Portable AC weight: 82 lbs.
Recommended Vented: Yes (typically through RV window)
Built-in dehumidifier: Yes
Maximum sq ft: 500
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: 29.5″H
Color: White

Frigidaire Portable RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 8K BTU
Includes heat element: No
Ducted system: Non-ducted/portable
Controller: Digital remote control
Portable AC weight: 52 lbs.
Recommended Vented: Yes (typically through RV window)
Built-in dehumidifier: Yes
Maximum sq ft: 350
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: 13.78″D x 12.17″W x 26.8″H
Color: White

Shinco Portable RV Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 8K BTU
Includes heat element: No
Ducted system: Non-ducted/portable
Controller: Digital remote control
Portable AC weight: 55 lbs.
Recommended Vented: Yes (typically through RV window)
Built-in dehumidifier: Yes
Maximum sq ft: 200
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: 13.78″D x 12.17″W x 26.8″H
Color: White

AirOrig Portable Air Conditioner

Maximum cooling capacity: 8K BTU
Includes heat element: No
Ducted system: Non-ducted/portable
Controller: Digital remote control
Portable AC weight: 40 lbs.
Recommended Vented: Yes (typically through RV window)
Built-in dehumidifier: Yes
Maximum sq ft: 350
Voltage/wattage: 115 volts
Dimensions: 11.8″D x 11.8″W x 27.5″H
Color: White

Evaporative “Swamp” RV Air Coolers

The evaporative cooler also may be called a “swamp” cooler because its cooling effect is created by blowing air across wet pads to add moisture into the air, thereby cooling the RV interior. They can be as small as a shoe box (personal) or can be larger, like a portable air conditioner.

The primary difference is the “swamp” cooler cools the air by adding moisture to the air, while a portable air conditioner circulates refrigerant gas to remove heat from the air in an RV.

These are some of the top “swamp” RV coolers: