Air Conditioning for Caravans, Motorhomes & Campervans

Roof-mounted, under-bench, portable and split systems — every type of cooling for life on the road

Air Conditioning

Our complete range of caravan and motorhome air conditioning — over 80 units and accessories — covering every fitting type, power source and budget. From compact 12v rooftop units that bolt onto your van in an afternoon, to high-output split systems for full-time touring, you'll find the right cooling solution here, with UK stock and expert advice.

The four main air-con types

Roof-mounted units — the most popular choice. Cool air drops down naturally and you keep all interior space.
Under-bench / locker-mounted — quieter, lower roof profile, easier on the leisure battery.
Portable air conditioners — no installation, just plug in. Best for occasional use or smaller campers.
Split systems — separate compressor and indoor unit; the quietest option for larger motorhomes and static caravans.

Picking the right BTU rating

BTU is just a measure of cooling output. As a rough guide: 5,000–7,000 BTU suits campervans up to 6m, 8,000–10,000 BTU covers most touring caravans and small motorhomes, 12,000+ BTU is for larger A-class or motorhomes over 7m. Going bigger than needed wastes battery and runs noisier, so don't over-spec.

Browse by brand below — we carry Truma, Dometic, Mestic and more — or jump to combi heat-and-cool units for year-round climate control. Not sure where to start? Read our UK air-con buyer's guide.

Our complete range of caravan and motorhome air conditioning — over 80 units and accessories — covering every fitting type, power source and budget.

Airva
Aventa
Dometic
Kronings
Mestic
Truma
Vechline

How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner for Your Caravan or Motorhome

Our complete air conditioning range covers every fitting type, power source and budget — over 80 units and accessories for caravans, motorhomes and campervans. The starting question for most buyers: 12v, mains, or combi?

Power source decides everything

12v units run from your leisure battery — perfect for off-grid touring, but check the battery bank can handle 30–60A draw. 230v rooftops run from hookup or generator and give more BTU per pound spent. Combi units (heating + cooling in one) are the best value for year-round touring — see our combi heater and air-con collection.

Installation type

Rooftop is the most popular — cool air drops down naturally, no interior space used. Under-bench / locker units run quieter and keep the roof load down. Portable units need no installation but suit smaller campers and supplementary cooling. Split systems deliver the quietest indoor experience — ideal for static caravans and long stays.

Pick the right brand

Premium: Truma (quietest, longest-lasting). Value: Mestic (80–90% of the performance at 20–30% less). OEM standard: Dometic (fitted as standard by most caravan/motorhome manufacturers).

Read our 2026 air-con buyer's guide for an in-depth comparison.

Split vs Rooftop Air Conditioning Units

Compare features to find the perfect AC solution for your vehicle

Feature	Split System	Rooftop Unit
Best for	Caravans & motorhomes with internal wall space	Motorhomes & large campervans with roof load capacity
Noise while sleeping	Very quiet (compressor outside)	Medium – noise is outside, but above the bed
Cooling power	Efficient, great for long stays	High output, ideal for larger/open spaces
Interior space used	Requires an indoor unit	Zero interior space taken
Installation	More involved (indoor + outdoor)	Simple swap if roof already has an AC, or roof light
Weight impact	No roof weight	Adds roof load — check vehicle limit
Cost	Medium–High	Medium–High
Energy use	Very efficient	Medium
Maintenance	Easy indoor access	Needs roof access
Ideal trip type	Long stays / quiet nights / energy-saving	Road trips / hotter climates / large vehicle layouts

Caravan & motorhome air-con guides

24 October 2025

Why a Combi Air Conditioner Heater is Worth the Investment

Discover why a combi air conditioner heater is the ultimate year-round comfort upgrade for caravans and motorhomes. Efficient, compact, a...

22 October 2025

Summer vs Winter – Getting the Most Out of Your Combi Air Conditioner

Your caravan’s air conditioner isn’t just for one season. With the right care and settings, it can cool you down in summer and keep you w...

22 October 2025

Combi Heaters Explained – The Ultimate Guide to Heating & Cooling in One

Say goodbye to juggling separate heaters and fans. Caravan combi heaters keep you comfortable in every season, combining efficient heatin...

Air Conditioner FAQs

Can I run a caravan air conditioner on a campsite hook-up?

Yes, most caravan and motorhome air conditioners are designed to run on a standard 6A or 10A UK campsite hook-up. Compressor air-cons typically draw 4-8 amps in normal operation. If your unit is rated above 1500W (most rooftops sit around 850-1700W), check the site's amp limit before you arrive - some smaller sites only offer 6A, which can trip the breaker if you're also running a kettle or microwave.

What's the difference between a split unit and a rooftop air conditioner?

Split units have an outdoor compressor (mounted in a locker or rear bumper) connected by refrigerant lines to an indoor evaporator unit - this gives the quietest interior noise since the noisy part is outside the living space. Rooftop air conditioners are self-contained units mounted on the caravan roof, simpler to fit (often a like-for-like replacement of an existing rooflight) but the compressor noise is heard from above. Splits cool more efficiently for the wattage drawn; rooftops are quicker to install and cheaper.

How many BTU do I need for my caravan or motorhome?

As a guide: 5,000-7,000 BTU suits campervans and compact caravans up to 5m, 8,000-10,000 BTU covers most touring caravans and small motorhomes (5-7m), and 12,000+ BTU is for larger A-class motorhomes or full-time touring. Going bigger than needed wastes battery/hookup current and runs noisier. Insulation, sun exposure and roof colour also affect required output - dark-roofed caravans in direct sun need 20-30% more cooling capacity than average.

Can I install a caravan air conditioner myself?

Rooftop replacements (swapping an old air-con for a new one in the existing opening) are within reach of a competent DIYer with a weekend free and a second person to help lift. New roof installations require cutting a 360mm × 400mm or similar opening through the roof - we'd recommend a professional fitter unless you've cut motorhome roofs before. Split-system installs need refrigerant pipework that should always be done by an F-Gas certified engineer. Budget £200-£450 for professional fitting depending on complexity.

How noisy are caravan air conditioners at night?

Modern caravan air conditioners run between 42-55 dB at the indoor vent on quiet mode - that's quieter than a normal conversation, comparable to a fridge. Premium brands like Truma Aventa Comfort and Dometic FreshJet 2200 sit around 42-45 dB, while budget portable units can hit 55-60 dB. Split systems are typically the quietest (38-42 dB inside) because the noisy compressor is outside. If sleeping with the unit running matters, look for a "night mode" or "sleep mode" setting which lowers fan speed and noise further.

Will an air conditioner drain my leisure battery?

That depends on the unit and your battery setup. Pure 12v air conditioners (like the Indel B Plein-Aircon) draw 30-50 amps while running - a typical 100Ah lithium leisure battery would manage 2-3 hours before needing recharge. Standard 230v rooftop units only run from hookup or a generator/inverter and don't directly affect your leisure battery. If you tour off-grid frequently, a 12v unit paired with 200Ah+ lithium and 200W+ of solar is the realistic minimum for overnight cooling.

Can air conditioners be used as heaters too?

Many modern caravan air conditioners are reverse-cycle heat pumps, meaning they can heat as well as cool. Truma Aventa Comfort, Dometic Combi units and Kronings K2400 all offer this. Heat pumps are efficient down to about 0-5°C ambient temperature - below that, they struggle and a gas-fired heater (like Truma Combi 4 or Propex HS2000) is more reliable. For year-round touring, a combi unit (heating + cooling in one) usually works out cheaper than two separate systems.

How do I clean or replace my air-con filter?

Air-con filters should be cleaned every couple of trips and replaced every 12 months. Most rooftop units have a removable plastic grille covering a foam filter - pop the grille, lift out the filter, vacuum it or wash in warm soapy water, let it air-dry fully, then refit. Replacement filters cost £5-£20 depending on brand. A clogged filter is the most common cause of weak cooling output and musty smells - it's a 5-minute job that makes a huge difference. See our filter cleaning guide for step-by-step instructions.

Why shop with us

Trusted by UK campers, caravan owners and van life travellers. Shop quality gear with clear product guidance, secure checkout and friendly support when you need it.

Learn more

Delivery & dispatch

Free mainland UK delivery on orders over £40. Fast dispatch on stocked items and transparent delivery options at checkout so you can plan with confidence.

Delivery info

Trusted brands

We stock leading camping, caravan and motorhome brands – chosen for real-world touring reliability. Browse by brand to match parts and accessories to your setup.

Shop by brand

FAQs

Not sure what you need? Explore our FAQs and guides for sizing, compatibility and setup advice across awnings, tents, accessories and touring essentials.

Read FAQs