How to keep your Bushman fridge cool in summer

Protecting fridges installed in a 4WD canopy

1. Choosing the colour of your canopy – light vs dark.

A light colored canopy (white, silver or natural alloy) will reflect the suns heat and help keep your canopy cool. Darker colours (grey, black, gunmetal) whilst they look amazing, will absorb much more heat. If you already have a darker coloured canopy, you will need to consider adding insulation.

2. Insulation

We always recommend insulating the ceiling and walls of your 4×4 canopy. This will dramatically reduce the inside temperature of your canopy. Not only will this help your fridge run more efficiently, a cooler environment is also good for your battery and related electronics. As a general rule, keeping your electrical equipment cooler will prolong its lifespan. If you have a roof top tent, good news, this acts as very capable ceiling insulation.

Protecting fridges in a Caravan, RV or Boat

1. Add insulation

The best way to protect your 12V fridge from radiant heat when installed in a caravan or RV is to insulate the outside wall behind the fridge. This will assist in keeping the fridge cavity temperature down and help your fridge run more efficiently.

2. Orientate your vehicle for performance

Some of our customers like to orientate their caravan or RV so the kitchen side is south facing. This helps keep the radiant heat down in the kitchen and away from the fridge. This isn’t always a big gain if the caravan is well insulated, but every little bit can help keep your caravan fridge cool.

3. Add window coverings

Usually this is more of an issue in a 4WD with their large glass windows, but something worth considering to help keep your caravan or RV cool. Simple blinds or curtains will do the trick and block harsh and hot sunlight.