Van roof fan and A/C installation in Langley, BC

What does a roof vent fan do in a van?

A roof vent fan is a powered fan set into an opening in the van roof. It pulls hot, stale air out through the roof and draws fresh air in through an open window or door. On a sunny day, the air under a metal van roof gets hot fast, and a roof fan is the simplest way to move that heat outside.

A roof fan matters in the wet months too. Cooking, wet gear, wet dogs and the people inside all add moisture to the air, and that moisture condenses on cold metal and windows. Over a Lower Mainland winter, the damp ends up in insulation and under panels, where it causes mould and rust. A roof fan pushes that moist air out before it settles. Most roof vent fans run on 12 V and draw little power, so they can run for hours from the van's battery.

Should I choose a rooftop A/C or a battery-powered A/C for my van?

Both cool the van. The difference is how they are powered, which decides where and when they can run.

• Rooftop A/C. A self-contained unit mounted over an opening in the roof, the same type used on many RVs. Most rooftop units run on 120 V household power, so they work when the van is plugged into shore power, running a generator, or powered through a large inverter and battery bank.
• Battery-powered A/C. An air conditioner that runs from the van's battery bank, so it cools with the engine off and nothing plugged in. How long it runs depends on the size of the battery bank and the heat outside.

A camper van that spends most nights at campsites with hookups usually suits a rooftop unit. A work van or grooming van that parks on the street all day needs A/C that runs from its own batteries. Tell us where you park and how many hours a day you need cooling, and we'll recommend one.

How is a fan or A/C installed in a van roof?

A roof fan or rooftop A/C install at the ProVanWorks shop follows the same basic steps:

1. We check the roof and the ceiling inside: the roof ribs, any rack or solar panels, and the wiring already in the van.
2. We agree the position with you, between the roof ribs and where the airflow does the most good.
3. We cut the opening and seal the cut edges of the metal so they cannot rust.
4. We fit the unit with a frame or adapter to suit the shape of the roof, and bed it in sealant.
5. We wire the fan or A/C to its power source with the right fuse, and fit the controls inside.
6. We test the unit before you pick up the van.

Battery-powered A/C is wired to the battery bank in the same visit. Most vans are at the shop for 1 to 2 days.

Can you install a fan or A/C in a van someone else built?

Yes. ProVanWorks installs roof fans and A/C in camper conversions, DIY builds, trades vans and grooming vans from other builders, on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster and other vans. If the roof already has a vent or skylight where you want the fan, say so in your quote request. Send photos of the roof, the ceiling inside and the electrical system, so we can see what is already there before you book.

Will battery-powered A/C run from my van's batteries?

It depends on the battery bank. An air conditioner is usually the biggest load in a van, much bigger than lights, fans or a fridge. A small bank meant for lights and a phone charger will not run A/C for long.

Tell us the battery type and capacity, how the batteries charge (alternator, solar or shore power), and how many hours of cooling you need on a hot day. We'll tell you how long the A/C can run on what you have before you book the install.

How do fans and A/C work in a ProVanWorks grooming van?

Every ProVanWorks grooming van and mobile business van has two fans in the cargo area, one at the front and one at the back. The front fan also runs the air conditioning. The same thermostat controls the heat in winter and the cooling in summer, so a groomer working with a dryer on a July afternoon keeps the van at a set temperature.

The A/C, fans, lights and tools in a ProVanWorks van run from an auxiliary battery bank that charges at Level 2 EV chargers. Read more about power and EV charging and how the van handles hot and cold weather.

Do you install van fans and A/C for customers outside Langley?

Yes. Van owners drive in from across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, from Surrey and Abbotsford to Vancouver and the North Shore. Because most installs take 1 to 2 days, plan for one drop-off and one pickup. Each city page below covers the drive to the shop and what local vans need.

How much does a van fan or A/C install cost?

ProVanWorks quotes each fan or A/C install by email, because the price depends on the unit, the roof and the wiring the van needs. Email info@provanworks.com with the year, make and model of your van, the roof height, photos of the roof and ceiling, what you want installed and what batteries the van has.

Frequently asked questions

Will a roof fan or A/C make my van roof leak?

Any opening in a roof can leak if it is sealed badly. ProVanWorks seals the cut edges of the metal and beds each unit in sealant on a frame shaped to the roof, which is what keeps water out over years of rain and car washes.

Can I have a roof fan and an A/C installed together?

Yes. Many vans get both: the roof fan clears heat and moisture, and the A/C cools on the hottest days. Ask for both in one quote.

What else does the Langley shop do?

The same shop sprays bed liners for trucks and work vans, and designs and installs van wraps. You can contact ProVanWorks about any of these.