Home upgrades are an excellent way of transforming the look of your home. This may include applying a fresh coat of paint, fitting new furniture, upgrading your lighting fixtures, and more. However, your home exteriors matter, and essential chores may include tending to your home garden and planting beautiful plants on the driveway. If you have a camper or RV, don’t neglect it! Have it form part of your home upgrades. Besides, you need it to stay in excellent condition in all seasons. The AC is one of an RV’s main components and should be well-maintained.
There are various ways to care for your RV air conditioning unit.
How can I best maintain my RV AC?
How you care for your ac unit for rv determines its durability. A well-maintained RV works well and saves a lot on regular repairs, which can be costly. The appliances within the RV are also critical, and caring for the AC should be part of your routine tasks.
Check out tips for maintaining your AC.
- Examine the cover
Take a close look at your RV AC, and you’ll notice a cove over the unit. You may not know why the AC features a shroud, but this is important. It’s not just for aesthetic purposes but protects your AC unit from debris and other foreign particles that may find their way inside the AC.
Again, the cover hinders low-hanging branches from damaging the unit as you drive.
Can I tell you more? These covers are prone to damage over time. For instance, direct sunlight and heat can damage a plastic cover leading to cracks. Low hanging branches and hail may also scrape and damage the cover. It’s then vital to perform routine checks on your AC cover to ensure it’s in good condition and works optimally.
- 2. Leaks can wreck havoc on your RV!
If you’ve owned an RV for some time, I presume you know that water is your RV’s worst enemy. Even small leaks can cause significant damage over time, making it critical to be on the lookout for leaks that can infiltrate your rig.
One of the best places to check for leaks is the AC, and, unfortunately, many don’t. Most ACs are set in a big hole in the roof and keep water out using a rubber ring. They aren’t sealed with any sealant. The ring can allow water in if it’s not in position or isn’t tightened snugly. That’s not all, though! AC units produce a lot of water, and it’s not only rainwater that can get under the seal. To ensure there are no leaks around your AC, examine the inner ring for damages every six months, and tighten the screws to hold it in place.
- Wash the filters
If you notice issues with your RV AC, one of the basic tasks should involve examining the filters. Dirty filters will make your AC work extra hard and shorten its life expectancy. They can tap diet and dust and should be washed in warm soapy water.
Wash them after every six months and allow them to dry before fitting them back. But, if you use your RV more often, clean the filters more frequently to avoid dirt buildup. You still have to replace the filter, though! With continued use, your filter will get worn out to wash and reuse. For this reason, you’ll have to purchase a new Furrion, ac unit for rv. If you can’t find the exact match, buy a bigger one and trim it to match the desired size.
- Straighten the bent cooling fins
Once you remove the cover from the unit, you’ll notice metal fins; these are very delicate and can bend over time. ACs work efficiently when the metal fins are straight and clean, free from debris. Also, the condition of the cooling fins can affect the durability of your AC, and the unit won’t perform as required. Carefully straighten the metal fins using a comb and vacuum regularly to keep dirt and debris at bay. Do this after every six months to ensure that your AC stays in excellent condition.
- Check your power before use.
RV ACs use a lot of power, and you need adequate power to run the unit. You’ll use most of the energy when starting the compressor, and you should check your power before running the device. If you start the AC with little power, you risk damaging the unit over time.
Also, avoid plugging your AC on 15-20 amp outlets. If you insist on plugging your AC on such outlets or a smaller generator, use a soft starter. Installing this on your AC minimizes the amount of power needed to start the device, thus reducing the risk of damage.
When should I replace my RV AC?
The durability of your RV AC depends on the brand, model, and materials used. Nevertheless, you’ll at some point have to acquire a new AC and replace the old one. AC units don’t last a lifetime, and the durability depends on how often you use the device. In most cases, RV ACs will last 3-5 years but may not get to five years if you travel a lot.
Also, when most of the AC components are faulty, and you spend a lot of regular repairs, you should consider a replacement. Doing this will improve your unit’s efficiency and save on recurring repair costs and inconveniences when your AC fails to work.
Can I recharge my AC? If your air conditioner isn’t functioning, you shouldn’t recharge it. You can only replace the capacitor but if your unit isn’t cooling. But if the capacitor fails, try using a lower amp fuse to run it.
The bottom line
Proper maintenance of your AC avoids damages and ensures optimal functioning and improved efficiency. There are different ways to maintain your unit, and it’s best to tack the maintenance. Use a calendar maintenance planner to help you determine when to schedule the next maintenance. But, in case of major issues, call a technician or acquire a new AC from a reputed manufacturer.