Dometic FreshJet FJX4 1500M Air Conditioner (White) Dometic - UK Camping And Leisure

Caravan & Motorhome Air Conditioning

12v, mains and combi cooling units from Truma, Dometic and Mestic — UK stock, fast despatch, expert advice

Caravan & Motorhome Air Conditioning Units UK

Whether you're touring in a UK heatwave or heading south for the summer, a quality air conditioning unit transforms your caravan or motorhome from a stuffy box on wheels into a genuinely comfortable home from home. We stock 12v and 230v cooling systems from every major UK-trusted brand — Truma, Dometic, Mestic, Eurom and more — covering rooftop, under-bench, portable and split-system installations for any layout and budget.

How to choose the right unit

The right system depends on three things: your power source, your van's size, and how you'll install it. Roof-mounted units like the Truma Aventa and Dometic FreshJet deliver the most cooling power and don't take up interior floor space, but require professional installation. Under-bench units sit in storage lockers and run quieter, ideal for caravans where roof load matters. Portable 12v air conditioners are the easiest to fit (just plug in) but typically suit smaller campervans or as supplementary cooling for larger setups.

12v vs mains power

Pure 12v air-con runs from your leisure battery — perfect for off-grid touring — but check your battery bank can handle the draw (most units pull 30–60A while running). Mains-only units need a hookup or generator and deliver more BTU per pound spent. Dual-voltage and combi units (heating + cooling in one) give you the best of both worlds and are increasingly popular for year-round touring.

Every unit on this page is in UK stock with fast despatch and expert pre-sales support. New to caravan air conditioning? Our 12v Air-Con Buyer's Guide walks you through the decision in plain English.

Airva
Aventa
Dometic
Kronings
Mestic
Truma
Vechline
Waeco

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

Finding the right caravan air conditioner starts with understanding your vehicle, how you tour, and where you'll plug in. The biggest decision is between a rooftop unit (mounted on the roof, cool air drops down), an under-bench split system (compressor in a locker, quietest at night), or a portable 12v unit (no installation, suits compact campervans).

Power source: 12v, 230v or both?

If you tour on hookup sites, a 230v rooftop or split unit gives the most cooling per pound spent — look at the Truma Aventa or Dometic FreshJet range. If you go off-grid, a 12v unit paired with 200Ah+ lithium and 200W of solar is the realistic minimum for overnight cooling. Combi units (cooling + heating) work out cheaper than two separate systems for year-round touring.

Sizing your unit (BTU)

As a rough guide: 5,000–7,000 BTU for campervans up to 5m, 8,000–10,000 BTU for touring caravans (5–7m), and 12,000+ BTU for larger A-class motorhomes. Going bigger than needed wastes battery and runs noisier — don't over-spec.

New to caravan air conditioning? Our 12v Air-Con Buyer's Guide walks through the decision in plain English. Not sure what fits your van? Message us with the make, model and year and we'll confirm before you buy.

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

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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.

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Caravan & Motorhome Air Conditioning

12v, mains and combi cooling units from Truma, Dometic and Mestic — UK stock, fast despatch, expert advice

Caravan & Motorhome Air Conditioning Units UK

How to choose the right unit

12v vs mains power

All Filters

Helpful Blogs

Why a Combi Air Conditioner Heater is Worth the Investment

Filters

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

Power source: 12v, 230v or both?

Sizing your unit (BTU)

Split vs Rooftop Air Conditioning Units

Caravan & motorhome air-con guides

Why a Combi Air Conditioner Heater is Worth the Investment

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

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

Air Conditioner FAQs

Why shop with us

Delivery & dispatch

Trusted brands

FAQs

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