How to Increase Auto A/C Efficiency
Auto manufacturers and the government do research to find ways to make automotive air conditioning systems more efficient. You don't have to wait for someone to build a better air conditioning unit, though. There are several simple things you can do to improve the efficiency of the air conditioner on your car, whether it is new or old. These methods will improve the efficiency of a working unit. They are not designed to fix a unit that is not pumping out cold air.
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Instructions
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Apply a tint to all the windows of your car. A tint need not be dark to dramatically reduce heat penetration in the summer. Ask your dealer or automotive window specialist about lighter tints that are designed specifically to filter out heat-causing rays in the spectrum. If you look at an automotive store for a do-it-yourself kit, ask about solar glazing or heat reduction tints.
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Change the cabin filters in newer cars regularly if they are so equipped. Beginning in 2000, car manufacturers began putting filters on some of their cars systems to help filter out air impurities that can trigger allergies. Check your owner's manual to see if your car has such cabin filters. As the filters get clogged, they reduce air flow and can cause the air conditioner to work harder to cool the cabin. Change the filters at least every six months.
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Run the air conditioning on "Max, or high, on particularly humid days. The high setting on a car air conditioner means it is recycling air that is already in the cabin. The low setting brings in fresh outside air and cools it. The air will get stale more quickly on the high setting, but the air conditioner does not have to work as hard to cool the air.
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Check for leaks in your air conditioning system. Any automotive store will offer a variety of products that will help you check and seal small leaks in your air conditioning system. If, after a self-check, you have a large leak, you should take the car to an automotive repair shop to have it repaired.
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Tips & Warnings
Changing filters and checking for leaks are important things to do on cars that have been broken in. Tinted windows will improve the air conditioning efficiency of even a brand new car. Some cars have a symbol that allows you to choose whether you are bringing in outside air or recycling the air already in the cabin. Choosing the recycled setting is the same thing as setting the air conditioner on "Max."
Use safety glasses whenever working under the hood of a car. The refrigerant in your system is under high pressure. Many states have laws on how dark a tint you may apply to your car windows. Check local laws before buying a tinting kit.
