Nothing could be better than a summer vacation in your camper, enjoying the warm days full of adventure and sightseeing. But it can be hard to beat the heat on particularly hot days, especially in certain climates, and your RV itself might not provide you enough refuge from the elements. Maybe you’re boondocking and can’t afford the power to run an air-conditioner as long as you want it. If you find yourself sweating buckets while trying to sleep in your camper on a muggy July night, this list of tips for keeping your RV cool is sure to help.
If you find your RV needs maintenance or repairs, or if you’re looking to upgrade to a newer model with better temperature control and insulation, come visit RVs and Boats For Less in Pocatello, Idaho. We’ll help get you sorted out. For now, try some of these methods to cool off on your next trip.
Ventilation Is Key
Getting air moving is a good way to make things feel colder almost instantly. Your RV vents should be open whenever you’re parked, particularly those on the roof since heat rises and it’ll find its way out faster through an open ceiling vent. If your RV doesn’t already have attic vents, taking some time to get these installed will really help out during the hottest months. Open all the vents on the shade side when you’re parked and close the ones in the sun. Setting up some fans in doorways can also draw in cooler air and help to vent out hot air more quickly.
Installing LED Lights
Incandescent lighting is hot. That’s just a fact. LEDs, while a more expensive option initially, don’t generate much heat and are often brighter and longer-lasting. This saves you money down the road. Replace as many of your RV’s lights with LEDs as you can and you’re sure to see a difference in both the temperature and your power consumption.
Cooking Outside
Obviously, stoves and ovens generate a lot of heat. Even small appliances like toasters can make things feel too hot to handle. An easy way to avoid this is simply to cook as much of your food outside as you can. Whether this means you’re heating things up the old-fashioned way over a campfire or throwing some charcoal on the grill, you’re keeping the interior of your RV much cooler by generating heat in the open air instead. And hey, isn’t cooking outside part of the appeal of camping anyway? Toast some marshmallows once it gets cool and have fun with it!
Window Coverings
Your RV will draw a lot of its ambient temperature via the windows. Of course you’ll want to check the seals on these before you take a trip to make sure that leaks aren’t causing you to lose precious air-conditioning when it’s turned on, but also you should keep your windows covered, particularly in the sun. Use reflective covers and light-colored curtains to reflect sunlight back out into the world and away from your RV interior, and you’re bound to notice the effects.
When you’re ready to upgrade or get service on your camper, or if you’re after some parts like LEDs and vents to help keep things cool in the heat, come down to our dealership and let us help you out! Our talented staff have lots of ideas when it comes to weather-proofing and we’re happy to answer all your questions about summer travel. RVs and Boats For Less is located in Pocatello, serving Idaho Falls and Twin Falls, Idaho, plus Lake City and Logan, Utah.
