You’re driving your usual distance from work and realize the fuel gauge is lowering quicker than usual, what could be wrong? Fuel prices have gone up today and this is a problem everyone is trying to avoid!. Let’s learn about ‘Does AC Waste Gas?’.
Does AC Waste Gas?
The AC system of every car consumes gas to function, this complex system is indirectly powered by the engine of the vehicle. Every AC system is powered by a ‘refrigerant’ and makes use of energy supplied by the ‘alternator’.
The alternator is a current supply to the AC and the electric car system as a whole. It is powered by the engine and tacitly powers the engine in return; hence, your AC doesn’t work when the engine is off. A refrigerant is a high-pressure gas passed through many stages of an AC system, where its state of matter changes repeatedly; to ultimately supply cool air inside the vehicle.
The engine of a car is powered by gas and it is due to this reason that the AC system ultimately uses up this gas. This process keeps you cool on a hot sunny day and it all starts with the energy obtained from the vehicle’s gas-powered engine. Once the engine runs, energy is made available to the AC system and the process begins as soon as the AC is turned on.
The AC system is comprised of 5 crucial components, these components will be discussed in-depth in the next paragraph.
The 5 Components Of An AC System And Their Roles
- The Compressor: It is the first phase in the air-conditioning system and it compresses the refrigerant from a state of gas to liquid, for it to flow to the next component of the system.
- The Condenser: It is the second phase and component of the system; it specializes in removing any form of heat from the refrigerant.
- The expansion valve: Once the refrigerant is received from the condenser, the expansion valve returns the refrigerant to its original state of gas and transfers it to the accumulator.
- The accumulator: All the moisture present in the refrigerant is dried up in this phase and is then transferred to the evaporator.
- The evaporator: The evaporator then transfers heat obtained from the air that was passing through its core to the refrigerant, which results in a cool breeze flowing from beyond the evaporator.
10 Interesting Facts About The AC Of Your Car: Does AC Waste Gas?
- It is more fuel-efficient to use the AC than to open the windows when driving at highway speed.
- The heating system of a car is independent of its AC system.
- The AC can consume up to 20% of a vehicle’s fuel.
- The AC helps in demisting the windscreen on a frigid day.
- The AC system is likely to cause the engine compartment of the car to heat up.
- The AC not only keeps the air cool inside the car but also cleans the air and regulates humidity.
- The re-circulate function of the AC is a more fuel-efficient way to cool the air inside the car.
- Vehicle models with an AC system that has an “Econo” mode or smart controls help reduce fuel consumption.
- Usage of the AC system can sometimes affect an engine’s performance.
- ACS is likely to cause dehydration to the individuals inside a car.
Is There A Way To Use The AC And Be Fuel-Efficient?
Yes, there are a few guidelines available to follow to enjoy the luxury of your AC system and be Fuel-efficient at the same time.
One way of doing so is by only using your AC when you need it, sometimes we get so used to having an AC system at our disposal that we can’t tell the difference between when we need it and simply using it because it’s available.
A simple way to keep your car cool and limit the use of your AC is by parking in the shade or using a sunshade to keep your cabin cool, this helps regulate the temperature inside the vehicle and you’ll only need your windows down to stay cool.
Remember to switch the AC off when you aren’t driving at highway speed anymore or if you are waiting in traffic, make use of your windows instead.
Conclusion
Now we’ve learnt about ‘Does AC Waste Gas?’, The reason why it is better to use the AC than have your windows open when driving at highway speed is that open windows cause an aerodynamic drag to your car caused by the heavy amounts of air entering the vehicle, this causes the engine to work harder to pull forward resulting in a use up of more fuel.
The use of an AC isn’t something to worry about if you do not have an issue using up an extra 20% of fuel to stay cool, but for individuals that cannot afford that luxury or would rather be more money-efficient be aware of the unnecessary usage of the AC can help immensely.
