How to Maximize Your Car's Air Conditioning Efficiency
It’s summer time and we all know that the longest season in the country is in no hurry to leave. In movies, this time of year is painted as sun, sand and the sea, but in real life, it’s all about packing yourself with sunscreen and staying hydrated. The weather can be even more unforgiving when you step inside the car as the cabin is like a furnace. Here’s a big no-no and don’t let your instructive thoughts get the better of you. Control the urge to crank up the air conditioning rather than roll down the windows and let us tell you how to use the air conditioner efficiently.
Beat The Heat: Open windows and doors
As much as your instincts are tempting you to crank up the air conditioning to the lowest temperature, we urge you to be reasonable with the machine. We all would like to believe that the air conditioner is a wizard that fights the heat, but it is a machine and has its limitations. Before you step inside the sizzling hot car cabin, open all the doors, windows, the sunroof and if possible, even the boot or the tailgate. This improves the circulation in the cabin while the hot air trapped inside escapes.
Another easy method to cool down the cabin is door fanning. Roll down the front co-passenger’s window but keep the door closed. Open and close the driver’s door five to eight times which will quickly fan out the hot air inside and let in cool outside air.
Beat The Heat: Let the car idle
Our natural tendency is to switch on the air conditioning the moment we get inside the car cabin. So much so that we start the AC before we even fasten the seat belt. Even though every fibre in our body would be crying out for some cooling comfort, a slight patience will go a long way. As the windows are already rolled down, drive the car for a couple of minutes and let some air move around the radiator. This way the fan in the radiator is not hurried to start and in its natural air movement, it offers optimal cooling.
Beat The Heat: Choose to circulate air
Many of us forget about the recirculate button and are more focused on either decreasing the temperature of the air conditioning or increasing the fan speed. This only adds more load on the compressor. The ideal way is to unselect the recirculate air option and let the cooler air from outside enter the cabin. No matter how hot it is outside, the cabin will always be warmer. In a natural way, the air conditioning starts using cool air and helps in decreasing the temperature of the car cabin. Once it becomes cooler inside, switch to recirculation mode. This simple process helps the air conditioner be effective and efficient.
Beat The Heat: Regular AC service
Some will say this is common sense and we also agree to this, but, sadly, common sense isn’t very common nowadays. The air conditioning should be serviced at least once a year like the car. To ensure optimal cooling, the air filter needs to be cleaned regularly as it gets dusty. An effective air conditioner ensures cleaner and better air quality inside the cabin as dust isn’t circulated inside the cabin. This makes it even more essential during the winter season when the air quality index leads to unlivable air pollution levels.
Regular servicing also prevents the accumulation of fungi and bacteria in the air conditioning system which leads to a foul smell once it is switched on. Different types of mould and pollen will lead to allergies and ultimately affect the immune system.
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