MRCool releases inverter heat pump for recreational vehicles

MRCool has released TravelCool, a rooftop heat pump built for RVs. It provides 15,000 Btu/h of cooling and 10,236 Btu/h of heating, and can work in RVs with ducted or ductless air systems. The unit is designed for larger coaches and multi-room trailers, with a low-profile shape meant to cut wind drag and give extra roof clearance. It weighs about 43 kg and comes in black or white housings.

The heat pump uses R-32 refrigerant and DC inverter technology, which adjusts power use to run efficiently whether the RV is plugged into the grid or off-grid. It runs on standard 115V AC power, so in an RV with solar panels, electricity would come from the vehicle's battery through an inverter rather than straight from the panels. MRCool says the unit runs quieter than typical RV air conditioners: 55 decibels in its low-power "Eco" mode and 59 in "Turbo," compared with 60 to 70 decibels for conventional systems. It can cool an RV to about 17 C in outdoor heat up to nearly 43 C, and heat it to about 27 C when it's as cold as 5 C outside. Controls include a remote, an optional wired panel, or a phone app, and the unit comes with a two-year parts warranty.

This follows MRCool's recent launch of a similar DIY heat pump for home use. For RV owners, especially those running off-grid on solar and battery power, TravelCool offers an alternative to standard RV air conditioners that may use less electricity and run quieter.