Your RV serves a variety of purposes: camping adventures, shelter for long road trips so you don’t have to book a hotel, and so much more! This is a versatile vehicle that every family needs to have! However, if you have an RV, you know that it can be hot during the summer months and an air conditioner is a critical piece of equipment to have.
On average, your RV air conditioner should last about 5 years. After that, it’s time to get a new one. A new RV air conditioner will cost you between $700 to $1,400- depending on size. Installation will cost anywhere from $400 to $700. This means that you’ll spend at least $1,100 to $2,100 to replace your RV air conditioner.
Though it can be expensive, it’s much cheaper than replacing the entire RV just because the AC goes out.
How Long will my RV Air Conditioner Last?
According to experts, you can expect the air conditioner in your RV to last about 5 years- depending on the quality of the unit and whether or not it’s taken care of. Due to where the unit is located and the exposure to the elements and vehicle movement, it’s not likely to get more than 5 years from an AC unit on an RV.
How Much Does a Replacement Air Conditioner Cost for an RV?
Replacing the air conditioner in your RV can be a difficult process. It starts by determining that you need to replace it. In some cases, it’s just one component that is damaged, which means you can get away with a less expensive repair.
Once you have had an HVAC expert confirm that your unit needs to be replaced, it’s time to start the shopping process.
On average, depending on the model and capacity of the unit, you can expect to pay anywhere from $700 to $1,400. This is just for the unit itself. This price does not include installation.
Unless you are an HVAC expert, you’re going to need to pay a professional to ensure the installation is done properly. This will cost you a minimum of $400 and could be as much as $700.
Therefore, on average, you can expect to pay $1,100 to $2,100 for purchase and installation of a new AC unit for your RV.
Of course, there are several factors that determine the cost. Therefore, when you replace the air conditioner in your RV, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:
- Reputation of brand
- Whether or not it is a heat pump
- More than 13,500 BTU if you plan to embark on long trips during warmer months
Conclusion
The average lifespan of an RV air conditioner is about 5 years. If you buy your RV used, you may not get the full 5 years- you may need to replace it sooner than that. This is an expensive venture, but well worth it- especially if you travel during the warmer months. You want to be able to maintain comfort while traveling- and you can’t really do that if you are burning up in your RV.