Hello Mabs

Does using the air conditioner in a car increase fuel consumption, and if so, how much?

Mabs Answers

Absolutely, using your car’s air conditioner increases fuel consumption, but not by a
huge amount. On average, running the air conditioner can bump up your fuel use by about 5 to 10%, especially in stop-start city driving or during scorching days when it’s working overtime.

Think of it like this: your air conditioner is powered by the engine, so the more you blow the aircon up, the harder your engine works, and the more fuel it needs.

If it’s sweltering outside, by all means, stay cool and use your aircon. But if you’re
driving at low speeds and it’s bearable, rolling down the windows can help save a bit of fuel. Fortunately, since it is winter and much colder, you will be saving since blowing hot air does not increase your fuel consumption in the same way as running the air conditioner in summer. This is because your car produces heat naturally as the engine runs and the heater simply uses that heat and channels it into the cabin without putting extra strain on the engine or sipping extra fuel.

At the end of the day, comfort matters, but just be aware of how it all adds up over time. And remember, looking after your car’s aircon system also helps it run more efficiently.