Does Car AC Use Gas?

Does air conditioning in the car use gas? Yes, your car’s AC system burns gas each time you turn it on. Why does AC burn car gas? Your air conditioning system is powered by the alternator, which requires energy from the engine to run. And while heavy use of your cooling system can drop your fuel economy, there are actually cases in which it is more efficient to switch on the AC during your Philadelphia commute. Dive deeper into the question, “Does AC in a car use gas?” and get more service tips with BMW of Turnersville. 

How Does Car AC Work? 

So, how does car AC use gas? No matter what make and model you drive in Sewell, all air conditioning systems work similarly. Your AC runs on refrigerant, which is a high-pressure gas, to cool off your cabin on a hot Williamstown day. 

• Compressor — compresses the refrigerant into a fluid state, which enables it to flow directly into the condenser. 
• Condenser — pulls the heat from the refrigerant and brings it to the expansion valve or orifice tube. 
• Expansion valve or orifice tube — converts the refrigerant back to its gaseous state, where it heads into the receiver/drier or accumulator. 
• Receiver/drier or accumulator —pulls out the moisture from the refrigerant before it goes to the evaporator. 
• Evaporator — removes the heat from the air that passes through the receiver, then sends it into the refrigerant, creating a flow of cool air in the cabin. 

Can Using the Car AC Be Efficient? 

You know the how and why of, “Does air conditioning in the car use gas?” So, is using air conditioning always a drain on your fuel economy? The answer is surprisingly no. When you’re driving around Williamstown, using the air conditioning system can lower your efficiency. Rolling down the window is a better option if you want to conserve energy. 

If you’re on the highway, however, rolling down the window will create drag. That drag will actually decrease your fuel economy more than using the AC. So on highway drives, feel free to roll up the windows and flip on the AC instead. 

Get Quality Car Care at BMW of Turnersville

Does AC in a car use gas? Yes, but sometimes it’s the best option for those Turnersville drives! If you still have questions about your car’s inner workings, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at BMW of Turnersville. Contact us to learn more about your vehicle or schedule a service at any time.