Can RV Air Conditioners Run on Propane?

Last Updated on September 19, 2023 by

Recreational Vehicles have an active system for all the features inside that involves luxury and comfort for a family. Air Conditioner is one of the main components that users look for in an RV.

Most vehicles have climate control systems incorporated into their rooftops or roofs. Maybe than simply cooling the air, these air conditioning systems eliminate heat from the vehicle, causing a drop in temperature. A few RVs have dashboard climate control systems that run when the RV is turned on.

Given the way that an RV fridge can work on propane, it’s simply sensible to contemplate whether the air conditioning system can too. Sadly, a normal RV cooling air system can just work on 110V AC from a camping area or a generator.

While it is feasible to run an RV climate control system off of propane, it would take a ton of mechanical information to set up the framework with the goal that it doesn’t set you back with other problems. There have been gas-controlled home air conditioning systems in the past, yet most of them are not being made any longer.

Propane on RV AC units

Can RV Air Conditioner Run on Propane?

Yes, but it’s gonna be really expensive and not very efficient. The specialists appear to concur that going to propane to cool your RV would not save your money. While propane is significantly less expensive to purchase than electricity, it would take a lot of propane to viably cool your RV’s inside.

Regardless of whether you do effectively change over to propane, you would, in any case, have to create power to control the RV’s AC unit. One easy way is to buy a propane-controlled generator to create that power.

Propane is utilized in refrigerators in the RV. This is valid, yet you should contrast the size of the refrigerator with the size of the inside of your RV. The fridge is tiny, somewhere in the range of 5 and 7 cubic feet, and doesn’t need a great deal of propane to run its cooling framework.

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Then again, a run-of-the-mill RV may just be 8 by 7 by 35 feet. This makes it multiple times bigger than an RV freezer. The expense of cooling your RV’s inside by propane would increase gradually.

Propane Driven RV AC Unit

It is extremely challenging to get an RV that accompanies propane-fueled AC units. This implies you must be somewhat imaginative to reduce your expenses and make it for yourself. To change from electric capacity to propane ability to cool your RV might take a little creativity and a great deal of DIY experience.

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It is possible if you take a propane-fueled air conditioning unit from a training vehicle and adjust it to your RV somehow. This requires a lot of ventilation work and an exceptional drafting framework to ensure it runs appropriately and cools the RV as well.

Obviously, that unit might be excessively huge for an RV to deal with. You can purchase propane-fueled climate control systems, yet they may not be evaluated for RVs and just are intended to be utilized in your home.

These units might be versatile; however, it is difficult to say. The mechanical and electrical plans associated with RVs are somewhat hard for some DIY experts to grasp. Obviously, the expense of these propane forced air systems runs very high. They range between $690 to $7,200.

Risks of Using Propane for Air Conditioner in RV

Propane is an exceptionally unstable gas, and it accompanies risks that electricity doesn’t have. It is far more secure to utilize electric power, regardless of whether the expense is high than it is to utilize propane.

There are the following risks of using propane for Air conditioners in an RV.

  • To use propane securely, you would have to make exceptional health safety measures just to stay on the safe side. One way is to introduce carbon monoxide indicators. In any case, these don’t go high on your dividers or your roof.
  • Propane can get through holes which means it can spread through your entire RV, which can be a serious risk.
  • Propane needs to have a smell added to it with the goal that it tends to be recognized by the nose. You need to be sure whether you are breathing oxygen or propane.
  • Propane has carbon monoxide. This implies that without utilizing Carbon Monoxide indicators, you could capitulate to the danger without acknowledging it.
  • Propane is a substantial gas, and it sinks to your floor and somewhat higher as it spreads. Those locators would need to be at floor level to ensure they detect any carbon monoxide
  • You need to also check for any propane spills. That requires some investment. You would have to keep your RV all around ventilated for good measure, and that may make your RV AC unit.
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Can RV Air Conditioner Run All Day?

Yes, The AC system on your RV can run the entire day, but it will cost a lot of fuel and power. In case you are going through the day or seven days at an RV park, running the AC all day will not be an issue; but, in case you are leasing a space consistently, most RV parks will charge you extra for the power you use. Contingent upon how frequently you run, it will choose the amount you owe for the additional power it will devour.

The air conditioning systems in the RV can sometimes be very noisy, unlike the ones at your home. This will also sometimes allow your RV to vibrate. Using propane in Air Conditioning can be a serious risk. You can make the RV use propane for AC, but it can be a serious threat to your health as well as the health of your loved ones too.

In case you are exploring the great outdoors off-matrix, you can run your cooling air system with your generator. However, indeed, there will be fuel costs, just as an issue with commotion and vibration. It relies upon your RV, yet running the installed generator can be boisterous and cause vibration all through the unit. If you have a trailer, it’s reasonable you have a convenient generator, which can be situated outside, away from your trailer.

While this might diminish the commotion and kill the vibration from the generator, you’ll, in any case, have clamor and vibration from the AC. Similarly, your generator will utilize gas or diesel fuel, which will set you back.

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Check this article on How much does it cost to install an Air Conditioner on RV?

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Conclusion

This was a discussion article on can an RV air conditioner run on propane gas, and we answered the question in detail. Thank You and Happy Camping. 

FAQ

Can you have central air with propane heat?

While it’s not one of the more normal warming choices today, propane is an elective energy source accessible. It can be used in vehicles, but it’s not very safe.

Is it protected to go with my RV fridge on propane?

Going with propane gas off a propane spill because of a mishap is a catastrophe going to occur. It is pointless to keep your fridge on while traveling. You will lose 4 degrees Fahrenheit probably, like clockwork, on the off chance that it remains off.

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About Ted Mosby

I am Ted Mosby from Cleveland, Ohio. I am a Freelance Architect. I live in New Jersey, USA right now and I take my RV every alternate weekend. I own a Forest River Berkshire XLT Diesel 45A Class A Motorhome. As I am a Freelancer I can work anywhere so most of my work is done inside my camper remotely.