Does Car AC Use Gas?

Rising gas prices have us all looking for ways to improve gas mileage. Will turning off the AC help? Does air conditioning in the car use gas? A lot of Arden drivers seem to be under that impression. Does car AC use gas? Yes, your car’s air conditioning does use gas. However, does AC burn car gas enough to impact fuel economy? Does it always make sense to roll down the windows? Our service center wants to help you get the best gas mileage out of your vehicle, so let’s take a closer look at how this works.

How Does Car AC Use Gas When it is Powered by the Alternator?

How does car AC use gas? Isn’t it powered by electricity delivered by the alternator? Yes, but the alternator is powered by the engine. When the engine has to work harder, your car will use more gas than it would otherwise on our Asheville roads. Here are more details about how it works:

• Compressor — compresses the refrigerant into a fluid, so the refrigerant flows through a line to the condenser
• Condenser — removes the heat from the refrigerant and pushes it along to the expansion valve or orifice tube
• Expansion valve or orifice tube — returns the refrigerant to its original gaseous state and moves it to the receiver/drier or accumulator
• Receiver/drier or accumulator — removes moisture from the refrigerant and transfers it to the evaporator
• Evaporator — pulls heat from the air passing through its core and transfers it into the refrigerant, resulting in cold air flowing beyond the evaporator

To What Extent Does AC Burn Car Gas?

Does AC burn car gas to the extent that you should just turn it off and roll down the windows? Does air conditioning in the car use gas so much that it impacts gas mileage? Not always. If you are traveling at highway speeds, turning off the air conditioning and rolling down the windows would produce more drag, which, in turn, would cause the engine to work harder. However, in stop-and-go Hendersonville traffic, it can be more fuel-efficient to turn off the AC and open those windows. 

Sunshine Chevrolet, LLC is Here to Help

If you found this post to be useful, check out our other automotive tips, like our post on what happens if you don’t change your oil. Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our service department for any of your automotive needs. We’re conveniently located near Fletcher, so drop by or contact us today.