Does Using Air Conditioning Without Driving Consume Fuel?
2 Answers
Using air conditioning without driving does consume fuel. Here are the relevant details: 1. Air conditioning compressor: The car's air conditioning compressor is powered by the engine. If you turn on the air conditioning without driving but with the engine running, it will definitely consume fuel. However, if you turn on the air conditioning without starting the engine, it won't consume fuel but will drain the battery. If the battery is excessively drained, it may prevent the car from starting. 2. Fuel consumption: When driving on the highway at a speed of 70 km/h, the fuel consumption with or without air conditioning is similar. If the speed is below 70 km/h, opening the windows is more fuel-efficient than using air conditioning.
I often encounter similar situations in summer, such as needing to turn on the air conditioning to cool down while waiting in the car. Running the air conditioning without driving the car does consume fuel because the car's air conditioning relies on the engine to power the compressor. Once the engine is running, even if the car isn't moving, turning on the air conditioning will consume extra fuel, typically around 0.5 to 1 liter per hour. I calculated last time that idling with the air conditioning on for 15 minutes can burn a significant amount of gasoline, which is a waste of money. Doing this frequently can also lead to carbon buildup, damaging the engine's lifespan. My suggestion is to avoid idling the engine just to run the air conditioning. If it's really hot, rolling down the windows for ventilation or parking in the shade is more cost-effective. Remember, safety first—never leave the engine running in an enclosed space to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Every time I do this, I remind myself to check the timer and keep it within a minute or two.
