Air conditioning in your motorhome, campervan or van: what to look out for

The cab air con in a motorhome or van works harder than the one in a car. Here you can read how it differs from the roof-mounted unit in the living area, which refrigerant your van uses, how often it needs servicing and what to check before your holiday or the busy season.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 8 November 2026

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The short answer

A motorhome often has two air con systems: the cab air con, which works through the engine like in a car and uses the refrigerant R134a or R1234yf, and a separate roof unit in the living area, which usually runs on 230 volts.

Autobedrijf Willemsbrug in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde checks, refills and repairs the cab air con of motorhomes, campervans, vans and commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg, but not the roof unit. An air con service for a car costs from € 120 (R134a) or from € 180 (R1234yf) with us. For a larger van we tell you the price in advance.

Air con service at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug: from € 120 (R134a) or from € 180 (R1234yf), ready in 45 to 60 minutes. You can wait for it, on Saturdays too. You can also drop in if we have room: call +31 10 479 00 00 to check. For repairs, we tell you the price in advance. Our team speaks English. More about our air con service

Motorhome: cab air con and roof unit are two separate systems

A motorhome often has two air con systems. They work very differently and need different servicing. The cab air con cools while you drive. The roof unit cools the living area, mainly when the motorhome is parked.

Feature Cab air con Roof unit in the living area
Where Cab air conIn the cab, as in a car Roof unit in the living areaIn the living area, usually on the roof
How it works Cab air conCompressor driven by the engine, with the refrigerant R134a or R1234yf Roof unit in the living areaA separate appliance, usually on 230 volts
When Cab air conWhile driving Roof unit in the living areaMainly when the motorhome is parked, often at a campsite
Servicing Cab air conAir con service by a technician with an F-gas certificate Roof unit in the living areaAs the manufacturer of the appliance specifies
At Autobedrijf Willemsbrug Cab air conYes: check, air con service, leak test and repair Roof unit in the living areaNo, a motorhome specialist can help you with this

Overview of the two air con systems in a motorhome.

The cab air con is the air con of the base vehicle, for example a Fiat Ducato, Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The engine drives the compressor. The compressor pumps the refrigerant round the system. In the evaporator behind the dashboard the refrigerant takes heat out of the air. This is the air con we check, refill and repair.

The roof unit is a separate air conditioner in the living area, for example from Dometic or Truma. It usually runs on 230 volts, so on a campsite hook-up or a generator.

There are also 12-volt versions that run on the leisure battery. The servicing is different, for example cleaning the filter and checking the drain. We do not work on this type of air con.

A van usually only has a cab air con. Some minibuses have a second evaporator in the back for the passengers. That is part of the same system as the cab air con, so we can check it too.

Why does the cab air con work harder?

The air con in a motorhome or van has to cool more air than in a car. The cab is often open to the living area or the load area. Large windows let in a lot of heat from the sun. So the air con runs longer and harder to reach the same temperature.

  • Large space: the air con cools not only the cab, but also part of the living or load area.
  • Lots of glass: a large, upright windscreen catches a lot of sun.
  • Second evaporator: a minibus with air con in the back has more refrigerant and longer pipes. So there are more places where the system can leak.
  • Many running hours: a commercial van is often on the road all day. The compressor and the seals then wear faster.
  • Long periods standing still: a motorhome is often in storage for months. Seals can dry out and mould can grow on the evaporator.

Every car air con slowly loses refrigerant through the hoses and seals. According to the ANWB, the Dutch motoring organisation, the refrigerant needs topping up on average once every 4 to 6 years. So have the air con checked every year.

If it cools less well, an air con service is needed. That applies to a motorhome or van too. A commercial van that drives long hours every day does build up more running hours. So pay extra attention to the yearly check and do not wait if the air con cools less well.

Which refrigerant is in the air con of a motorhome or van?

In a motorhome or van the year of manufacture tells you less about the refrigerant than in a car. Larger vans and motorhomes built on such a base can still have R134a after 2017. The sticker under the bonnet gives the answer.

This comes from the European directive on air con systems in motor vehicles (2006/40/EC). That rule applies to passenger cars (category M1) and to the lightest vans (category N1, class I). Since 1 January 2017, new vehicles in those categories have not been allowed an air con with a fluorinated refrigerant with a GWP above 150.

GWP stands for global warming potential: how strongly a gas contributes to global warming. R134a is well above that limit. R1234yf is below it. Heavier vans are not covered by this rule. So manufacturers were allowed to keep using R134a in them for longer.

Type of vehicle Refrigerant, usually Note
Car and small van up to about 2017 Refrigerant, usuallyR134a NoteCheck the sticker under the bonnet
Car and small van from about 2017 Refrigerant, usuallyR1234yf NoteCheck the sticker under the bonnet
Larger van and motorhome on such a base Refrigerant, usuallyR134a or R1234yf NoteThe year says little here, the sticker says more
Some electric vans Refrigerant, usuallySometimes R744 (CO2) NoteCall us first with your registration number

Source of the rule: Directive 2006/40/EC, Articles 2 and 5. The split by vehicle is a rule of thumb.

The refrigerant also decides the price of the air con service. With your registration number we look up which refrigerant and how many grams your van needs. Read more in how much refrigerant is in your car air con. You can read about the difference in R134a vs R1234yf: which refrigerant does your car use?

How do you check the cab air con before a trip?

You can check the cab air con yourself in a few minutes, ideally a few weeks before the trip. That leaves time to have something repaired. This is how:

  1. Start the engine and set the air con to the coldest setting, with the fan on a medium speed.
  2. After two to three minutes, feel the air from the middle vents. It should be clearly cooler than the outside air.
  3. Listen for a click when the air con switches on. That is the compressor clutch. Ticking, rattling or squealing after that is not normal.
  4. Smell the air. A musty or sour smell points to mould or bacteria on the evaporator.
  5. After driving, look under the van. A small puddle of clear water under the cab is normal. That is condensation from the evaporator. If there is water inside the cab, read car air con leaking water.
  6. Find out when the air con was last checked. If it is not in the service history, have it checked.

If the air con blows less cold than it used to, there is often too little refrigerant in the system. It can also be the condenser or the radiator fan. See car air con not cold or blowing warm air.

If you hear a new noise, the compressor may be worn. Read more in car air con making noise. If the air smells musty, cleaning the air con helps.

Has your air con been refilled before and is it empty again now? Tell us when you call. Then there is probably a leak in the system. We then start with a leak test, not with refilling.

How does an air con service work on a motorhome or van?

An air con service on a motorhome or van works in the same way as on a car. For the service itself the van does not need to go on the lift. We connect the air con machine to the service ports under the bonnet.

Is your motorhome heavier than 3,500 kg? Then call first and you will hear straight away whether we can help you.

  1. Recovering: the machine draws the old refrigerant out of the system and weighs how much was still in it.
  2. Vacuuming: the machine puts the system under vacuum. This removes air and moisture.
  3. Leak tightness check: we check whether the system holds the vacuum. If it does not, there is a leak.
  4. Refilling: we fill the system with the amount of refrigerant the manufacturer specifies.
  5. Measuring: with the engine running we measure the pressures and the air temperature at the vents.

For a car the air con service costs from € 120 with R134a and from € 180 with R1234yf, including recovering the refrigerant, vacuuming, the leak tightness check, refilling to the factory amount and VAT.

A van with a second evaporator needs more refrigerant. That is why we tell you the price for a van in advance. Everything about the service is on our page about air conditioning for cars and vans in Rotterdam.

If a part has to be replaced or a leak has to be found, the lift is often needed. We have five heavy-duty lifts, including lifts for motorhomes and commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg.

Does your van have an extra high roof, a long wheelbase or a special body? Then call us in advance with your registration number and the dimensions.

Read more about motorhome repair in Rotterdam.

Air con service for businesses with vans

For a business, working air con is not a luxury. A technician or delivery driver who sits in a hot cab all day has a tough job.

A good air con makes the van a more pleasant place to work. In winter it also helps against misted-up windows. According to the ANWB, with the air con on the windows are clear within a few minutes.

We look after the air con of vans and commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg, from the Caddy and Transit Custom to the Sprinter, Crafter and Ducato. Electric vans are welcome too.

In an electric van the air con compressor runs on high voltage and needs oil that insulates electrically. Our technicians hold the GMTO certificate (the Dutch qualification for working on high-voltage systems).

Read more on our page about air con for electric and hybrid vehicles.

We plan the work for a moment when your van is off the road anyway, on Saturdays too. We can combine the air con service with a service, a repair or the APK (MOT) for your van, the yearly Dutch roadworthiness test. Please note: we carry out the APK Monday to Friday.

Do you have several vans? Call us and we will agree on the planning together.

Who may work on the air con of your motorhome or van?

Only someone with a valid F-gas certificate or training attestation may work on a vehicle air con, or a trainee supervised by such a person. That applies to filling, servicing, repairing and recovering refrigerant. It is set out in the European F-gas Regulation. The Dutch government explains the rules on the website of the Informatiepunt Leefomgeving (IPLO) (opens in a new tab), in Dutch.

According to that explanation, since 7 October 2026 anyone who did not yet have a certificate needs a training attestation. Anyone who obtained their certificate before that date may keep working with it until 12 March 2029. After that a mandatory refresher course is needed.

On 20 October 2026 the Dutch rules were updated and the first training bodies were appointed. Autobedrijf Willemsbrug holds an F-gas certificate for R134a and R1234yf. Refilling the air con yourself with a can is not allowed.

Read more in can you recharge your car air con yourself?

Different rules apply to the roof unit in the living area, because it is a separate appliance. Ask the motorhome specialist or the manufacturer of the appliance what is needed.

Frequently asked questions

Do you also work on the air con of a motorhome or van?

Yes. We check, refill and repair the cab air con of motorhomes, campervans, vans and commercial vehicles, electric vans included. We do not work on the roof unit in the living area of a motorhome. A motorhome specialist can help you with that.

How much is an air con service for a motorhome or van?

We tell you the price in advance when you call with your registration number. The price depends on the refrigerant and the amount the system needs. For a car an air con service costs from € 120 with R134a and from € 180 with R1234yf with us. A van with a second evaporator needs more refrigerant and so costs more.

Do you also do the air con of an electric van?

Yes. Electric vans such as the Ford E-Transit, the Mercedes-Benz eVito or the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo have an air con compressor that runs on high voltage. Our technicians hold the GMTO certificate and use the oil the manufacturer specifies. If your van uses R744 as refrigerant, you first hear what we can do for your model.

How often should the air con of a van be checked?

According to the ANWB the refrigerant needs topping up on average once every 4 to 6 years. So have the air con checked every year. If it cools less well, an air con service is needed.

A van that does a lot of driving has more running hours and so more wear on the compressor and seals. If you hear a new noise, have it checked sooner too.

Can I combine the air con service with the APK of my motorhome?

Yes. During the APK of your motorhome we can also check the cab air con and do an air con service if needed. Then everything is done in one visit. We carry out the APK Monday to Friday. A motorhome APK costs € 100 to € 125 with us. We do not test motorhomes heavier than 3,500 kg.

My motorhome has been standing for months. What should I do with the air con?

First switch the air con on for a few minutes. If it cools well, does not smell musty and you hear nothing strange, there is usually nothing wrong. If you are in doubt, have it checked before you set off. If you start the motorhome now and then while it is in storage, run the air con for a few minutes too.

How long does an air con service take for a motorhome or van?

Usually about 45 minutes to an hour. A large system, for example with a second evaporator in the back, can take longer. We tell you in advance how long we need.

Will my motorhome or van fit in your workshop?

Yes. For an air con service your motorhome or van does not need to go on the lift, because we connect the air con machine under the bonnet. For repairs we have lifts for motorhomes and commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg.

Is your motorhome heavier than 3,500 kg? Then call first and you will hear straight away whether we can help you.

Is your motorhome or van ready for summer?

Call us with your registration number on +31 10 479 00 00. You will hear which refrigerant your van uses and what the air con service costs.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

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