TenOC wrote:
Question for my RV Air Condition Experts.
What is the difference in 13.5K BTU and 15.0k BTU? I know what a British Thermor Unit is. My question is HOW does the A/C achieve the difference in the RV? What is the real effect to the person inside the RV?
Given the same outside and inside temperatures.
1. Does the larger BTU unit blow more volume of air? More CFM?
or
2. Does the larger BTU unit blow colder air? I thought that under ideal conditions the A/C should cool the air only about 5 to 10 degrees.
The AC unit should blow out approx 20deg lower air then what it takes in. Example, your RV is at 100deg, and if your AC unit is working properly it should push out air at about 80deg. This will not happen instantaneously but in about 15min the AC unit will be working at 100% efficiency. Gradually your RV's ambient temperature will drop, and air out of the exhaust vents will continue to be approx 20deg colder then the RV ambient temp (or intake temp of AC unit to get technical). (80deg ambient, 60deg exhaust temps etc) Higher BTU units will push more air out (move more air over the coils) and keep that same ~20deg cooling capability which is the limit of the technology. You guys running in very hot climates are going to run into the uncomfortable range with the balance point equation. The thermal balance point is the temperature at which the amount of cooling provided by the AC equals the amount of heat gained inside the RV through inadequate insulation/direct sunlight etc from the RV. At this point, the AC SHOULD match the full cooling needs of the RV. Problem is, many RV's balance point is in the uncomfortable range because of poor insulation and workmanship in many RV's. Solving this is dual AC units, higher BTU units, or insulating the RV better.
This same reason is why a large home will have a higher btu AC unit or multiple units then a small home with a single lower btu unit. In an ideal scenario you want your AC to be running 100% of the time and still keep the perfect inside temperature. Oversizing would create increased cycling of the ac unit and less humidity removal.
1 : Yes
2 : No
