I recently purchased a new travel trailer and deliberately went with a non-ducted AC this time. It is working great in 100+degree heat. My thinking was to avoid the long runs of ducts in the ceiling where the maximum heat gain is likely. Does anyone know if it actually makes a difference in efficiency? I use a small fan to spread the cool air around and aid in circulation.

I would think that not having to cool the ducts, and even if well insulated,the space the ducts run through, would provide considerably more cool air to the living area.

Well I have 43 years in the RV business and 38 of those as a RV technician. Still am. I was here for the non ducted and now for the majority of ducted. You do NOT state what size trailer. But, I can tell you, that Ducted is the BEST thing to have. I would NOT have a larger trailer(more than 22 foot) without ducted AC. The Cold loss is minimal. Doug

I have best of both.......Ducted (cold air comes out farthest away from AC Unit) and a 'chill grill' which I can open and DUMP majority of discharge plenum straight down into kitchen/living area.

Old-Biscuit wrote:I have best of both.......Ducted (cold air comes out farthest away from AC Unit) and a 'chill grill' which I can open and DUMP majority of discharge plenum straight down into kitchen/living area.Mine also and it definitely cools better in the non-ducted position.Ducting is less noise. Probably the ducting is leaking quite a bit into the ceiling cavity but I have not been brave enough to pull it all apart to fix it. If I remove an electrical cover plate there is cool air coming out of the wall... one guess where that comes from.

I have no doubt about the value of ducts in cooling remote areas. I am only thinking of the efficiency in cooling an open area approximately 8 X 25. I know the first air to come out of the ducts was always very warm.

Air conditioner efficiency | Good Sam Community

tragusa3
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017
I like having both options. We dump it to get a jump start and then switch it over. Couldn't live without the ducts with our layout. Kids bunks would be hot as well as master bedroom.
Johno02
Explorer
Aug 11, 2017
Ours are ducted, with a "chill grill" that can be opened. When very hot out, open both grilles and use a good fan to circulate the cool.
TomG2
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
I have no doubt about the value of ducts in cooling remote areas. I am only thinking of the efficiency in cooling an open area approximately 8 X 25. I know the first air to come out of the ducts was always very warm.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 10, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:
I have best of both.......
Ducted (cold air comes out farthest away from AC Unit) and a 'chill grill' which I can open and DUMP majority of discharge plenum straight down into kitchen/living area.
Mine also and it definitely cools better in the non-ducted position.

Ducting is less noise. Probably the ducting is leaking quite a bit into the ceiling cavity but I have not been brave enough to pull it all apart to fix it. If I remove an electrical cover plate there is cool air coming out of the wall... one guess where that comes from.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 10, 2017
I have best of both.......
Ducted (cold air comes out farthest away from AC Unit) and a 'chill grill' which I can open and DUMP majority of discharge plenum straight down into kitchen/living area.
dougrainer
Nomad
Aug 10, 2017
Well I have 43 years in the RV business and 38 of those as a RV technician. Still am. I was here for the non ducted and now for the majority of ducted. You do NOT state what size trailer. But, I can tell you, that Ducted is the BEST thing to have. I would NOT have a larger trailer(more than 22 foot) without ducted AC. The Cold loss is minimal. Doug
imgoin4it
Explorer
Aug 10, 2017
I would think that not having to cool the ducts, and even if well insulated,the space the ducts run through, would provide considerably more cool air to the living area.

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