For RVers, staying cool in the hot summer weather is always a challenge, even with an AC system. So, we’ve put together a list of seven tips for staying cool in your RV so you can focus on making the most of your RV adventures all season long. Here’s what you need to know:
Switch to LED Bulbs
If your RV uses incandescent bulbs, it is time to swap them out. Those older bulbs get incredibly hot within moments of turning on, spreading heat across the inside of your vehicle in no time flat. LED bulbs, on the other hand, do not generate any heat while they illuminate the area. As an added benefit, they use much less electricity and are often much brighter. So, make the switch and delight in the cool operation of LEDs.
Clean Your Vents
When clean and in good working order, the vents in your RV let warm air flow up and out of the interior space. If they are clogged with dust and debris, however, they will effectively insulate the vehicle, keeping the heat inside. You can easily clean out the vents using a feather duster or a vacuum. Do not forget to check the refrigerator vent as well since that appliance generates a lot of heat of its own.
Cover the Windows
Although curtains and blinds block a lot of light, they still allow heat to flow into the RV. To keep sunlight from raising the temps inside, you have to go a bit further in blocking the windows. You can do that by securing reflective insulation to the outside of the windows once you park at your destination. The insulation will reflect up to 97 percent of the sunlight to keep your RV cool inside.
Pull Out the Awning
Even with the windows covered up with reflective insulation, it just makes sense to pull out the awning once you park. With the awning open, it blocks the sunlight from shining down on the side of your RV and heating up the interior.
Create a Custom Skirt
As the sunlight shines on the ground all day, it causes heat to radiate off the surface. If the ground under your RV is getting hot, the radiating heat will rise and enter the interior space. To prevent that problem, you can create custom skirts for around the outside of the vehicle. Use a reflective insulation material along the inside of the fabric for even more protection from the rising temperatures.
Set Up Portable Fans
Portable fans are a cheap and easy way to keep the air moving inside the RV. By increasing the airflow, you help move air through the vents and back outside. Put the fans on rotate to hit all the pockets of hot air inside the vehicle and keep every square inch as cool as possible. Outside, you can set up misting fans to sit near whenever you need to cool off at a moment’s notice.
Fire Up the Grill
As temperatures rise, the last thing you want to do is cook inside. The heat rising from the burners and oven would only serve to drive up the temps to unbearable levels. So, make sure to fire up the grill to make every meal instead. Or set up a campfire and try out some foil packet recipes to let the flames do all the cooking for you.
By taking all these steps, you can keep your RV cool and comfortable even as temperatures rise throughout the summer.
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