Although air conditioning may seem like the most obvious solution, its intensive use has significant drawbacks in terms of fuel consumption and environmental impact. Fortunately, there are simple and effective alternatives for cooling the air in your car without using the air conditioning.
Why avoid air conditioning?
It's often automatic, especially during the hot summer months when the interior can easily reach 50 degrees. However, it may be worth thinking twice before turning on the air conditioning, especially as soon as you start the vehicle. When the engine is still cold, air conditioning causes significant excess fuel consumption. The impact on the environment is also real: according to ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency), air conditioning leads to an average increase in fuel consumption of around 2 liters per 100 km in the city, and 0.4 liters per 100 km on roads and highways.
Of course, even if it is difficult to bear the heat when getting into a vehicle, it is preferable not to turn on the air conditioning as soon as you start the car so as not to cause excess consumption. By waiting a few minutes with the windows open to lower the internal temperature, you can avoid overworking the air conditioning and therefore consuming too much fuel. Activate it little by little as you travel, and don't hesitate to turn it off a little before you arrive.
In short, it's best to reserve the air conditioning for longer journeys, for example on the highway, since this is where it has the least impact on the vehicle's fuel consumption. For shorter journeys, there are other alternatives:
Natural airflow
It's obvious: rolling down the windows is the easiest way to cool the cabin without using the air conditioning. Even in very hot weather, the outside air remains cooler than the air inside the vehicle and can reduce the feeling of heat. However, there is a technique that makes this solution more effective, by creating an optimal airflow through the cabin. The best way to do this is to open two windows diagonally: the driver's and the right rear passenger's window, or the front passenger's and the left rear passenger's window. This diagonal opening allows fresh air to generate a pleasant flow throughout the cabin.
Rolling down all the windows or rolling them down completely is therefore not the best solution for obtaining the most refreshing airflow. By lowering the windows only halfway, a sufficient airflow is created while limiting the inconveniences linked to noise and wind. This solution allows the temperature to drop by several degrees in just a few minutes and is suitable for short journeys in the city and in the countryside.
At high speeds, this technique loses its appeal. Indeed, driving with the windows open leads to significant excess fuel consumption from 100 km/h, due to increased aerodynamic resistance. At this speed, we unfortunately see an increase in consumption of around 5%. Given the limited impact of air conditioning on vehicle fuel consumption on the highway, it remains the best solution for long journeys at higher speeds.
Alternative techniques
Opening your windows is simple and economical. However, you can consider other techniques to avoid the air conditioning and cool your vehicle in summer. Here are some effective techniques to avoid the inconveniences of heat in the car:
Park in the shade
Parking in the shade increases your chances of having an internal temperature more or less equal to that of the outside. Pay attention to the rotation of the sun during the day.
Use a sunshade
A sunshade is particularly useful if you remain parked in direct sunlight for long periods. In addition to preventing the cabin from reaching unbearable temperatures and making getting into the car less stifling, it can help keep your seats and steering wheel comfortable during the heatwave. It can also help prevent damage to the devices you keep in the vehicle.
The fan + mist sprayer combo
Those who love gadgets of all kinds can cool off in style by using a portable fan or mist maker in their car. The fan helps promote air circulation, while the mist maker creates a cooling effect through evaporation. There are all kinds, and some offer both functions at the same time. In addition to providing freshness without using the air conditioning, a mist maker can help you improve the air quality in the cabin.
By combining all these techniques and using the air conditioning sparingly, it is entirely possible to effectively cool the car's interior without excessive consumption. Beyond the comfort offered, alternative techniques to air conditioning have numerous advantages, both economically and environmentally. Financially, you will save several hundred euros on fuel per year, especially if you make a lot of short trips. All of this translates into reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
0 Comments