Is it okay to leave the air conditioning on when parking?
3 Answers
It is okay to leave the air conditioning on when parking. The functions of air conditioning: 1. Achieve cooling effect by continuously circulating refrigerant; 2. Remove dust, odors, smoke, and toxic gases from the air inside the car, making the air fresher, and humidify the air inside the car to increase the relative humidity; 3. Use engine coolant, waste heat, or heat generated by a burner as a heat source for heating. The heater warms the air, which is then blown into the car by a blower, raising the temperature at the air outlets to achieve heating; 4. Draw in fresh air from outside for ventilation and air exchange, which also helps prevent fogging on the windows.
As someone who is particularly environmentally conscious, I always turn off the air conditioning decisively when parking. Running the air conditioning while the engine is idling increases fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, which not only wastes money but also accelerates global warming. I have personally observed data showing that idling for 10 minutes is equivalent to burning an extra half-liter of fuel, producing more pollution. In cities, the accumulation of exhaust fumes also affects air quality and health. Short stops like waiting at traffic lights are fine, but there's no need to keep the air conditioning on during long stops or when waiting with the engine off—the fan can run on battery power, but prolonged use may drain the battery and cause starting issues. Everyone should develop good habits, turning it off to save resources and protect the planet.
As a student on a tight budget, I feel like leaving the AC on while parked is burning money. Fuel costs are already high, and idling consumes a lot of fuel—I've calculated it burns several cents per minute. Over time, turning it off can save a significant amount. My habit is to turn it off when parked and restart it when needed; on hot summer days, I open the windows for ventilation instead of relying on the AC. Discussing this with friends, we all agree it's a practical way to save. Additionally, prolonged low-load engine operation can lead to carbon buildup, accelerating wear and increasing maintenance costs, so it's better to pay attention to small habits.
