While the world is going through an exceptional heatwave, camping in summer is getting tougher. But will our adventurous minds leave the idea of having fun and pleasure just because of the heat? No, they won’t. Solutions exist to adapt to these extreme temperatures and spend a pleasant holiday. Some small tricks like how to insulate a tent for AC will allow you to enjoy this heatwave as much as possible and to enjoy your well-deserved stay!
Installing AC in a tent is nothing like installing it in a house. It is a very tricky procedure. And for that, your tent needs to be ready. You need to provide a power source, insulate the tent, and others.
So, today in this article, we will know how to get your tent ready for that. Later in this article, we will provide some tips and tricks to make your experience better.
Before that, let’s see why we need to insulate our tent for AC.
Why Do You Need To Insulate A Tent For AC?
Like we said before, the heatwave in summer is making camping difficult. So, naturally, it will be helpful to have an AC installed. But most of the tents available are not suitable or insulated enough to hold the temperature inside.
Also, due to the lack of insulation, the humidity and heat get the campers.
Another thing is that most of the tents have a roof made of mesh or lighter fabric for light penetration. These make the tent unable to confine the cool breeze inside.
The penetrable lighter fabrics make it difficult for the AC to perform its full capacity. Not to mention, this makes the AC work double or more using more fuel and costing more money.
If your tent is appropriately prepared and insulated, it will provide maximum comfort. Also, fuel consumption and cost will be reduced surprisingly.
How to Insulate a Tent for AC?
Having proper insulation can reduce cooling costs by more than 30%. To ensure heat resistance, apply insulating materials most appropriate for each situation. There are many solutions on the market. From the simplest as the fabric that reflects light and deflects heat, to the most sophisticated, such as pre-insulated tents-you’ll get everything… The pre-insulated tent is a double-leaf system whose layers are separated by insulating material. It has an air chamber that protects the interior from high temperatures, which also reduces thermal bridges.
There are several ways to insulate your tent for an air conditioner. Some will cost a little and some will not at all. Let’s check our best recommendation.
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Using a tarp:
The first thing that everyone thinks is using a tarp. Widely used and widely accessible, a tarp can be used for all seasons- from summer to winter. But this time it will help you to insulate the tent.
Tarps will help mostly in the case of tents with a mesh roof. The tarp will block the entrance through the roof. Install the tarp like any other use.
There are reflecting tarps available too. These tarps reflect the ray of shine in the other direction because of its shiny and reflecting top. These tarps are not only able to avoid the heat but also rain and cold.
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Floor insulation using insulating sheet:
Like shoes are essential for grinding miles without suffering, the same way, floor isolation is also essential. It is essential to isolate the camping tent from the ground, to avoid disastrous consequences.
But what to put under the camping tent? The ideal is the polyester cloth. The most common type of polyester on the market is PET. If properly worked, it can become a textile fiber with excellent properties. It is resistant and elastic. PET does not crease, is water-repellent, resistant to mold and bacteria, anti-stain, anti-humidity. Thermally insulates but, if appropriately treated, it can also become breathable.
But be careful, because to be effective, the cloth must never protrude from the perimeter of the tent itself: if it rains, the water would slide along the entire towel and end up under the tent. It would be like camping in a swimming pool!
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Emergency blanket and vapor barrier lining:
You can use a modified emergency blanket to cover the inside of the tent and a vapor barrier lining outside. This is an outstanding idea if properly installed. You can use polythene or plastic to use as a vapor barrier.
Use a spray adhesive on the tent and stick the plastic. Then go to the inside and use the emergency blanket just under the tent in line with the adhesive spray.
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Minor leakage–proofing with a pool noodle and duct tape
Even minor leakages can make the situation worse. Also, minor leaks are mostly unobserved. Usually, people are conscientious about the more significant parts that they forget about the smaller ones. Then when the AC starts, it doesn’t give a satisfactory result.
Pool noodles are a little bit childish but an efficient solution. Pool noodles are cheap and available at any store. Just put them on the leaks and your tent is fully insulated.
Duct tapes are a more accessible and easy method to diminish minor leaks. Duct tapes are instrumental even on the AC itself. The wire holes can be tightly closed with duct tape.
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An air–conditioned tent
The weather people forecast heat peaks in the coming years. That’s why some manufacturers have designed a new generation tent with pre-insulation. These kinds of tents use materials that are more and more refractory to the rays of the sun and the heat emitted by this star.
These tents come at a very affordable price. The Black fabric provides 99% darkness and insulates the interior of the tent from heat and light. The Fresh fabric, lined with another material, reflects the sun’s rays and prevents them from passing through the tent and heating it. Thanks to this combination, a difference of 17 ° C can be felt between inside and outside!
Read More:
The 7 Best Tents with AC Port (Reviews)
How to Avoid Condensation in the Tent?
It is highly unlikely that condensation will happen in AC. But what happens when you suddenly turn off AC? Yes, because of all the insulation, eventually the outside temperature will be higher than inside (like at night). This is when condensation can happen.
In then most cases, condensation does not pose a real problem. However, in certain conditions, it can make sleep unpleasant (for example, when the sleeping bag or our face touches one of the wet curtain walls).
The best solution to avoid the accumulation of condensation in the tent is to ensure proper ventilation. When you switch the Air conditioner off, make sure you have enough ventilation.
A special tip: Keep Air Conditioning at around 260.
Proper use of air conditioning can save up to 30% on the power bill. Maintain a constant temperature around 26º. For each degree of cold, energy expenditure shoots up between 6 and 8%. Inside the tent, wear light clothing.
Facility maintenance is also essential. Dust or foreign objects on filters and air inlets and outlets worsen the performance of the equipment.
Now that you know everything about how to insulate a tent for AC don’t hesitate to go out there and enjoy it. Let yourself be advised by a qualified technician, who will propose the best solution taking into account the parameters.
Read More:
The Best Tents for Desert Camping (Reviews)
Max, a passionate lumberjack and outdoors enthusiast, loves fishing, camping, and hunting. He has extensive experience in the great outdoors and is eager to join Outdoor Fun Mag to share his adventures and knowledge. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Max promises to bring laughter, learning, and an unforgettable outdoor experience.
