What does ECON mean in car air conditioning?
2 Answers
ECON in car air conditioning is actually an energy-saving mode of the air conditioning system. ECON only takes effect when the air conditioning's cooling function is activated. The air conditioning compressor is driven by the engine and can consume up to 20% of the engine's power. After activating the ECON mode, the vehicle will reduce the power consumption of the air conditioning while ensuring its cooling effect, thereby achieving fuel savings. The method to turn on the air conditioning's economy mode is very simple. The owner only needs to press the "Econ" button after turning on the air conditioning. When the light on the button is on, the air conditioning cooling system is turned off, and only natural or warm air is provided. Here is an introduction to the car air conditioning ECON mode: Usually, the car air conditioning has an A/C indicator to represent the air conditioning being turned on or off, while ECON only works when the air conditioning cooling function is activated, representing the air conditioning's economy mode. In this state, the compressor will also work. Compared to the normal mode, the control point of the compressor is increased, and the compressor does not remain engaged continuously during operation. The start and stop points of the compressor are controlled by the evaporation temperature. In normal mode, the compressor's start-stop point is 2~4℃. In ECON mode, the compressor's start-stop point is 8~10℃. The lower the temperature, the longer the compressor's working time and the greater the workload. Activating the ECON mode will save the engine's power output and fuel consumption. The functions of car air conditioning: Achieve cooling effects through the continuous cycle of refrigerant state changes; Remove dust, odors, smoke, and toxic gases from the car's interior air, making the air inside the car fresher, and humidify the car's interior air to increase its relative humidity; Use the 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 the blower, raising the temperature at the air outlets to achieve heating; Draw in fresh external air for ventilation and air exchange, which also helps prevent window fogging. Precautions for using air conditioning in the car: Do not set the air conditioning temperature too low. A large temperature difference between the inside and outside of the car can easily cause the driver to catch a cold, and excessively low temperatures may also increase the risk of arthritis for passengers. Control the direction of the air outlets. Based on the principle that cold air sinks and hot air rises, when using the air conditioning, set the air outlets upward when cooling and downward when heating. Do not turn on the air conditioning immediately after the car has been exposed to the sun. After the car has been exposed to the sun, the interior temperature will be very high. First, open the windows for ventilation, and only turn on the air conditioning after the hot air has been expelled.
When I first noticed the ECON button on my car's air conditioning, I was a bit confused. After pressing it, I discovered it's an incredibly practical feature—it stands for economy mode. Simply put, when ECON is activated, the air conditioning adjusts its operation, such as reducing fan speed or decreasing compressor workload, thereby saving fuel. I often drive in the city for my daily commute, and this mode has been a huge help; fuel consumption noticeably drops, and the savings each month are enough for a nice meal. Even on scorching summer days, turning on ECON doesn’t compromise the coolness inside the car—it just takes a bit longer to cool down. I’ve also heard it reduces exhaust emissions, making it more environmentally friendly. It’s recommended to use ECON in new cars, especially during traffic jams or short trips. During regular air conditioning maintenance, I always check if the ECON button is functioning properly to ensure long-term savings and peace of mind. Overall, it’s a thoughtful design worth using for every driver.
