Does idling with the air conditioning on consume fuel?
2 Answers
Idling with the air conditioning on does consume fuel. Here is a related introduction to car air conditioning: 1. Concept: The car air conditioning system consists of a compressor, condenser, throttle element, evaporator, fan, and necessary control components, used to regulate the temperature and humidity inside the car, providing a comfortable environment for passengers. The refrigerant continuously circulates within the system, with each cycle including four processes: compression process, condensation process, throttling process, and evaporation process. 2. Working principle: When the compressor is working, it sucks in low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator. After compression, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant increase, and it is sent to the condenser.
As an avid car enthusiast who frequently tinkers with vehicles, I believe that running the air conditioning while parked does consume fuel, primarily because the AC system relies on the engine to drive the compressor. At idle, the engine speed is low but still running, and to maintain the air conditioning, additional fuel injection is required, essentially burning fuel just to power the compressor. For a typical compact car, idling with the AC on may consume 0.5 to 1 liter of fuel per hour, depending on the model, with older or larger-displacement vehicles consuming even more. Prolonged use not only wastes money but can also exacerbate engine carbon buildup due to incomplete combustion at idle, worsening exhaust emissions. If you're just waiting briefly by the roadside, try opening the windows or reducing the fan speed to save energy and protect your car. The key is to avoid doing this for extended periods—it's wasteful, environmentally unfriendly, and can slightly affect battery charging efficiency.
