Tips&TricksCut your fuel costs: Smart tips on air conditioning from auto experts

Cut your fuel costs: Smart tips on air conditioning from auto experts

Proper use of air conditioning can save on fuel.

Images source: © photo: Marcin Łobodziński

2:52 PM EDT, May 4, 2024

Air conditioning has become indispensable in our daily lives, offering comfort we're reluctant to forego. Yet, with the surge in fuel prices, finding ways to economize has never been more crucial. Experts at SAE International highlight that judicious use of air conditioning could lead to considerable financial savings.

The professionals from SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) stress that intelligent air conditioning applications reduce fuel consumption and warn against improper usage, which can result in heightened fuel use. They offer guidance on optimally chilling a vehicle's cabin, ensuring peak coolness without unduly straining one's wallet.

It's a well-known fact among combustion engine and electric vehicle drivers that activating the air conditioning exerts additional pressure on the engine or battery, elevating fuel or electricity consumption. This is particularly evident in taxi drivers, a group I often converse with.

Many taxi drivers opt to keep their air conditioning off, mindful of its effect on fuel consumption – a critical concern affecting their earnings. Upon activation, air conditioning typically raises fuel usage by about 0.26 to 0.53 gallons per 100 miles. This increase is even more pronounced in vehicles with smaller engines. For instance, a driver of a nearly new Dacia Logan shared with me that during the summer, he has to forgo air conditioning as his vehicle's consumption skyrockets to 3.4 gallons per 100 miles on LPG when driving in the city. Without air conditioning, his consumption hovers between 2.37 to 2.64 gallons per 100 miles.

Opening windows is touted by SAE International experts as the most efficient method of cooling a vehicle, provided the speed doesn't exceed 43 mph. At this velocity, the air resistance caused by open windows impacts fuel consumption less than air conditioning does.

Conversely, driving over 52 mph with the windows down can lead to a roughly 20 percent increase in fuel consumption. This insight is derived from studies conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

They deduce that at higher speeds, the load imposed by air conditioning doesn't significantly outweigh the drawbacks of open windows, which can deteriorate a vehicle's aerodynamics, a crucial factor at elevated speeds.

How can air conditioning usage be optimized for better fuel efficiency? Consider these strategies:

At lower urban speeds, consider opening windows instead of using air conditioning.
It's advisable to keep windows shut and use air conditioning for higher speeds.
Activate the air conditioning only under intense heat.
Avoid setting the air conditioning to unnecessarily low temperatures.
Seek out shaded parking spots to reduce interior temperatures, potentially making air conditioning redundant.
Upon starting your vehicle, briefly open the windows to ventilate the interior before deciding whether to turn on the air conditioning.
Minimize air conditioning use when the vehicle is stationary.
For electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, pre-cool the cabin while still connected to the charger.