Dometic pushes marine comfort further with FreshJet FJXM7 3500 rooftop climate unit

Dometic has extended its climate control portfolio with a system designed to bring rooftop-style efficiency into demanding marine environments. It’s unveiled its FreshJet FJXM7 3500.

The system’s billed as a ‘rooftop climate solution’ and underpins how proven technologies from other sectors are being adapted for marine performance, rather than built from scratch.

“The launch of FreshJet FJXM7 3500 reflects Dometic’s continued focus on delivering purpose-engineered solutions for evolving marine applications,” says Eric Fetchko, president of Dometic’s Marine Segment.

“By adapting a proven rooftop climate platform for demanding offshore environments, we’re able to offer builders and operators an efficient, compact and highly reliable onboard comfort solution.”

The news come after the company recently appointed Per Carlsson as acting chief financial officer, effective 7 April 2026.

This new unit is suitable for a myriad number of applications. Emeric Monnier (head of product management marine EMEA) says there are different expectations from owners of leisure vessels versus commercial operators.

“For aesthetic reasons, leisure vessels would hide the air conditioning units inside the furniture, and use water cooled systems. Nevertheless, with our modern profiled design, Dometic rooftop units could very well be installed on a leisure pilothouse / cabin cruiser. Commercial boats are more focused on functionality and ease of installation, and a rooftop unit allows a simplified installation and direct air supply to the helm cabin.”

Heating and cooling in a single integrated unit

Dometic’s built this latest unit on its FreshJet platform for RV applications. The FJXM7 has now been marinised and validated for leisure and commercial marine environments.

Marinising a platform originally designed for RV use comes with challenges. “The salt-water resistance is a key element,” says Monnier, “and we have changed components to stainless steel, or coated evaporator coils, but after several field tests, we understood that the main difference can be in the boat movements.

“Indeed, while a RV would drive smoothly and endure few vibrations, a boat at high speed in wavy conditions would endure stronger movements and violent impacts. We have applied harsh specific shock testing, reviewed and redesigned completely our compressor piping layout and shock mounts to resist these conditions.”

The system incorporates marine-grade stainless-steel components, specially coated coils, sealed electrical systems and a wave-impact-tested compressor unit to deliver reliable performance. It also promises simplified installation, says Dometic, and integrates CleanAir filtration to help maintain cabin freshness.

Drivers behind marine air conditioning developments

Monnier believes its the end users driving comfort and autonomy. “OEMs are driven by consumer demand,” he says. “Because they [users] interact with nature, boaters are sensible to the environment. Today, they want to move away from expensive and noisy fossil-fuel generators where possible. With inverter technology and electronic control technological breakthroughs, we can now offer systems that operate using modern Li-Ion battery systems in suitable installations.”

Marine air-conditioning market has evolved significantly over the past 20 years. “Customers feel the difference when they cruise in warm weather areas, especially when the boat is in a marina with no sea breeze. It started with 50ft boats and up, and is moving down to even the 28-30ft segment these days. It can be compared to cars. Once only found in high-end models, AC is now standard even in small city vehicles.”

Installation flexibility for builders and refit markets

The technology also minimises start-up current needs which is particularly beneficial for work boats or cruisers operating with limited onboard power, hybrid systems or variable load profiles. It delivers 3500W of cooling and 3000W of heating from the single unit, and the installation is straightforward.

Designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -12 to 52°C, its configuration fits standard 400 x 400mm openings and roof thicknesses from 25–60mm.

The FreshJet FJXM7 is now available across EMEA through authorised Dometic marine partners and distributors, and will make its global debut at Seawork 2026 on the Fischer Panda UK | Power Solutions stand (Q84) and Nauticool Ltd stand (F20). Information on all Dometic’s marine air conditioners (and more) can be found on its website.