Combi Air Conditioners & Heaters

One unit, year-round comfort — heating in winter, cooling in summer for caravans and motorhomes

Combi Air conditioners & heaters

One unit, year-round comfort. Combi air conditioning and heating systems give you cooling in summer and warmth in winter from a single rooftop or under-bench installation — saving space, weight and money compared to fitting two separate systems. Browse our complete range from Truma, Dometic and other major UK-trusted brands.

Why combi units make sense

If you tour year-round — or just want flexibility — a combi unit is usually the smartest buy. You only need one roof penetration, one electrical supply, and one set of controls. They're typically reverse-cycle heat pumps, which means they can heat your van efficiently down to about 0–5°C ambient (paired with a gas backup for proper winter use).

Top combi systems for UK touring

Truma Aventa Comfort — rooftop combi for caravans and motorhomes, well-regarded for quiet running
Dometic Combi Heater + Aircon — see our dedicated Dometic combi range
Kronings K2400 — split-system combi with integrated heat pump, ideal for larger motorhomes

Things to check before buying

Combi units are heavier than cooling-only units (15–35 kg roof load is typical), so check your caravan or motorhome's roof load rating. They also draw more current — confirm your 12v system or hookup can supply it. Not sure? Send us your van's make, model and year and we'll confirm compatibility before you buy.

For an in-depth comparison, see our combi heater and air-con guide.

One unit, year-round comfort.

Aventa
Dometic
Kronings
Mestic
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Vechline
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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.

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