Heating & Cooling
Climate Control: Choosing the right Skoolie, Van, or RV AC Unit and Heat Source are paramount to living comfortably on The Road. - Scroll down to see our suggestions and check out our Skoolie Heating and Air Conditioning De-Mystified Tutorials for options, sizing, and ratings.
Insulation: There are a few choices when insulating your Build. Check out Our Insulation Tutorial for our take on which is best. Scroll to bottom of this page for options.
Keep the Heat Out: Shades, Window Film, and don’t forget the Henry’s.
Need help with Propane? See our Propane Setup Tutorial for Instructions, Tools, and Fittings.
Click the images below to see our recommendations and product specs.
Diesel Heaters
No matter what you drive, a Diesel Heater is a good choice. They come with a dedicated fuel tank, or can be connected directly to the Diesel Tank on your Rig. The heat is “dry”, so no worries about condensation, and they are surprisingly quiet and light on fuel and electrical consumption. Additionally, they can be ducted, thus directing heat to specific points in your Rig.
It’s the most efficient way to heat a full size Skoolie, but great for Shorties and Vans as well.
Propane & Gasoline Heaters
The Mr. Buddy Heater is a Must Have! Even if you are running another heat source, we strongly recommend this unit as a backup. It’s very popular, portable, inexpensive, and efficient. - Many Vanlifers and Shortie-Dwellers (including ourselves) use a Mr. Buddy Heater as their primary form of Heating and do so with great success!
The Webasto Heater is all the rage right now. No need for Propane or Diesel as it runs on Gasoline straight from the tank! They’re not cheap, but getting rave reviews and being featured in many newer Builds. Click the image for the full install kit, including instructions.
Dickinson Marine makes the Propane Fireplace we’ve seen so much of. Beautiful and Powerful, it will keep you warm and toasty. It’s like having a wood stove without cutting wood!
The rumors are true. - Running a propane heater will generate a lot of moisture. We typically get by with a cracked window or roof vent, but this Zero Power mini-dehumidifier does a good job of keeping it dry, and it’s cheap enough that you could buy 2 or three. Click the image for more features.
From The Driver’s Seat: With any Heating Unit that uses combustible fuel (Diesel, Propane, Wood) it is very important that you keep an eye on the Carbon Monoxide level. Here are a couple of CO Monitors with a digital display. Click the images to compare:
Need Supplies for your Propane Setup? Links, Fittings, and Instructions are available in our Propane Tutorial.
Skoolie Woodstoves
Curling up in front of a Woodstove is a great way to end any day! Click the images to head over to the Cubic Mini Website and see all the great stoves and accessories they offer. From stands, to stovepipes, heat shields, fire tools, a roaster, and even a water heater attachment, Cubic Mini has you covered!
The Classic Cubic Mini Stove
With Roaster and Water Heater Attachments
The Ecofan uses the heat of your Stove to circulate air with Zero draw on Power. Go with a Logwwod Stove if you prefer a more classic look or, for you hard core DIY-ers, use the Barrel Camp kit to build your own.
Skoolie, Van, & RV AC Units
Tech Tip: Air Conditioning is typically your biggest drain on Power. Even if you have a large Solar Array and Battery Bank, it is best to only run A/C when hooked up to Shore Power or on a Generator. See our Air Conditioning De-Mystified Tutorial for more info.
A Mini Split AC is usually your best bet. They are very versatile, put out the most air, and take a minimal amount of interior space. - The install can be a little overwhelming, but there are plenty of videos to guide you through.
Pay close attention to the SEER Rating. - The higher the number, the more efficient.
The Dometic RV Air Conditioner is the most popular in rooftop units. They require a little more Power, but are a good option for a large space.
Back of The Bus Bonus: AC Units “spike” in power when started. So much so that they can damage your Inverter, Batteries, or even a Generator. To avoid this you can use a “Soft Start” device. It essentially evens out the draw at startup and protects the system. They aren’t cheap but worth every cent. Click the image to check them out.
Window Mount AC Units
While not as sexy as other options, a Window Mount AC is actually a decent cholice for Mid-Size Builds, both in initial cost and ease of installation.
This may be the way to go if you’re doing a Short Bus Conversion, Shuttle, Small Box Van, or Camp Trailer. They can even hold their own in a Full Size Skoolie, though a mini-split is likely better.
See our Air Conditioning De-Mystified Tutorial to figure out what size you need.
Portable RV AC Units
A portable Skoolie, Van, or RV AC Unit is a good option for Stealth Camping, limited Build Space, or for those who use AC so sparingly that a full install isn’t necessary or practical.
The Zero Breeze is the ultimate solution for Vanlife or a small Build. It’s not cheap, but runs on 12 Volts, and comes with it’s own rechargeable Lithium Battery.
*Use the discount code OUTDOOR5 and receive an additional 5% off.
Tech Tip: When using a portable, you’ll need to vent the warm air from the exhaust. We recommend running the hose through a roof vent as opposed to opening a window.
Fans, Vents & Supplements
It’s all about the Air Flow! The Max Air Fan (Maxx Air Fan) or Fantastic Fan (Fan Tastic Vent) are very effective at moving hot air out of your living space. Even a good RV Roof Vent will help keep you cool. - With proper use of USB Fans, 12v Fans, and Personal Air Coolers you can avoid using the A/C alltogether on most days, with very little Power Drain! - See our Tutorial on Air Conditioning for details.
Skoolie & Vanlife Insulation
Insulating your Build is a big job, but it has big rewards. Newbies often ask if they can forego Insulation entirely. - Check out our Insulation Tutorial to see why not, and to find out which Insulation is best for You!
Pay attention to the “R-Value” when choosing your product (bigger is better), and consider Kilmat for sound dampening.
The most commonly used are Havelock Wool, Spray Foam, Thinsulate, and Rigid Foam Board. Have a look at our Insulation Tutorial to sort it all out.
Havelock Wool is Our Top Choice for Skoolie or Vanlife Insulation!
Sheilds, BLinds, and Tropi-cool
The best way to keep cool is to not let the heat in to begin with. Painting the roof with Tropi-Cool makes a huge difference, and Blackout Shades or Sun Shields are a must-have!
Tech Tip: Sewing these little magnets into your Shades helps them fit the walls of your Bus, and makes them quick and easy to put up or take down.
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