If you want to stay cool in your RV during those hot summer months and keep your electric down, there are a few things you can do to increase the efficiency of your AC. Let's go over some of these cost-effective tips.
Find the shady camp sites! If you're booking in advance, do a little research before making your reservation by looking at a campground map or giving them a call and ask questions. Remember, even the most perfect spot won't be completely shady for the entire day, so when the sun is overhead have your RV facing the sun with the least amount of windows and pull down your blinds to block the sun. Hint: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Tarps can be a life-saver! Tarps or awnings will provide that much needed shade for your camping experience during the summer. You can create shade in a variety of ways with a tarp. One way is to attach a tarp to your awning to create cooling shade.
Keep your AC clean! By keeping your AC filter clean by washing them in warm, soapy water and/or vacuuming the filters, you'll keep your AC running for efficiency and keeping the cool air flowing.
Have the proper ventilation for your AC. If you have the right ventilation in your RV, it will bring in fresh, cool air and push out that warm air. To get ventilation, you can install vent covers over roof vents, close windows on the sun side and open up windows on the shade side, install a roof vent fan or leave a window cracked at the opposite end of your RV away from the AC. Make a place for that warm air to escape.
Cover any skylights! If you have a skylight in your bathroom or kitchen area, cover it so it won't generate unwanted heat.
Cook outside! Cook as many meals as you can outside. Keeping the stove off keeps your RV cooler and the AC running easier. Instead, use a crock pot, Instant Pot, electric fry pan or an outside grill or griddle. The food will stay amazing! Choose light cooling recipes for those hot, humid, scorcher days.
Here's a couple links for you for more summer-time heat savings.