Marine Air Conditioning FAQs
Every question here has its own page with the full answer. These are the short versions, grouped by what you are trying to work out.
These answer what and whether. If your question starts with how — how to size it, how to fit it, how to work out what is wrong — there are practical marine air conditioning how-to guides.
Marine Air Conditioning Alternatives
- Can I use a domestic split system air conditioner on a boat?No. A domestic unit rejects heat into the air and needs airflow a boat cannot give it, and it is not built for salt. It will lose capacity and corrode quickly.
Marine Air Conditioning Heating
- Does marine air conditioning heat as well as cool?Nearly all do. Reverse cycle pulls heat from the seawater, efficiently down to about 7 °C water — below that a diesel heater is the better tool.
Marine Air Conditioning Legal
- Do I need an ARCtick licence to install marine air conditioning?Not for a sealed self-contained unit, which arrives pre-charged. Yes for anything that involves connecting, charging or recovering refrigerant.
Marine Air Conditioning Noise
- How noisy is marine air conditioning?Marine air conditioning noise depends on the compressor, fan setting, installation and measuring position. Compare sound figures only when test conditions match; check the planned layout beside the sleeping cabin.
Marine Air Conditioning Ownership
- How long does a marine air conditioner last?The seawater pump usually fails first, often within a few years. A well-installed unit itself should give a decade or more; a poor install fails much sooner.
Marine Air Conditioning Power
- How much power does marine air conditioning use?About 1.1 kW per 12,000 BTU plus 90 W for the seawater pump. A 16k system draws roughly 1.6 kW, or about 6.5 A at 240 V.
Ask a Marine Air Conditioning Question
Tell us the boat, the home port and what you are trying to fix. We reply with a straight answer within two working days — and if a wind scoop and a shade cloth would fix it, that is what we will say.