Choosing air con instead of wound down windows could save you money
A recent study carried out by ICM research, which surveyed 2003 adults, indicates that in hot weather 28% of the national total, choose to open their windows during hot weather, rather than turning their air conditioning on. However, this is false economy – the drag created by the open window can affect a car’s aerodynamics and therefore fuel consumption.
Kwik Fit admits that an open window is a better option when you’re stuck in traffic, however once moving they advise to turn on your air conditioning instead. They state that an open window can decrease fuel efficiency by 5% and that the nation’s fuel bill could be increased by over £650,000 with the ‘windows down’ approach.
Customer services director at Kwik Fit, David White, said “With fuel prices higher than ever, it’s understandable that motorists are looking for ways to squeeze every last mile out of their tank”. However, he advises that we need to be careful and make the right choices. “Using air conditioning is far more fuel efficient on the open road and a whole deal more pleasant too”.
The research shows that those in Birmingham, Manchester, Norwich and Sheffield are big air con fans and are more likely to keep their windows shut. But motorists in and around London, Liverpool, Oxford and Edinburgh are most likely to have their air con off and have their windows down.
For the lucky ones of us who have air conditioning in our cars, we need to remember to give the air con systems a regular service and maintenance, just like the other parts of our car. This makes sure that it’s working effectively, as it needs to be recharged every two years because of gas naturally leaking from the system.
Kwik Fit admits that an open window is a better option when you’re stuck in traffic, however once moving they advise to turn on your air conditioning instead. They state that an open window can decrease fuel efficiency by 5% and that the nation’s fuel bill could be increased by over £650,000 with the ‘windows down’ approach.
Customer services director at Kwik Fit, David White, said “With fuel prices higher than ever, it’s understandable that motorists are looking for ways to squeeze every last mile out of their tank”. However, he advises that we need to be careful and make the right choices. “Using air conditioning is far more fuel efficient on the open road and a whole deal more pleasant too”.
The research shows that those in Birmingham, Manchester, Norwich and Sheffield are big air con fans and are more likely to keep their windows shut. But motorists in and around London, Liverpool, Oxford and Edinburgh are most likely to have their air con off and have their windows down.
For the lucky ones of us who have air conditioning in our cars, we need to remember to give the air con systems a regular service and maintenance, just like the other parts of our car. This makes sure that it’s working effectively, as it needs to be recharged every two years because of gas naturally leaking from the system.