As both temperatures and fuel prices continue to soar, many drivers will be looking to keep fuel prices down as the UK prepares for yet another heatwave amid the cost of living crisis.
However, as easy as it is to stick your aircon on during the hotter weather, the simple action of doing that or keeping your windows open in a bid to stay cool could be costing you a fortune in fuel.
READ MORE: Drivers warned of buying fuel from Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s
According to the Express, air conditioning is very energy intensive, while open windows can reduce the drag of the car, making the car work harder and burn through the fuel quicker.
Chris Evans, head of content at Leasing.com warned: “Using AC can increase your fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent but opening the windows at higher speeds can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20 percent.”
More research, from Emissions Analytics, found that the impact of air conditioning on hybrid fuel economy was almost twice as much.
Fuel efficiency dropped 6.1 percent in a hybrid car on average, compared to just 3.8 percent for standard petrol car and 4.6 percent for a diesel.
Mr Evans continued saying: “While the 45mph line is a good guide, things get a bit more complicated when you are in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
“In these situations, it is probably best to avoid using air con or opening your windows.
“However we know that in hot conditions that might be uncomfortable, so as a solution you could turn on the air con but close your air vents.
“The air con merely recycles the cabin air rather than drawing the air from outside, where there is nose-to-tail line of traffic all belching out exhaust fumes.”
Other options for keeping the car cooler and not relying on air conditioning include parking in the shade or in a garage.
Tinted windows could also provide benefits for drivers, as will heat deflectors.
A car window tint can effectively reduce the heat given off by direct sunlight by as much as 70 percent inside a car.
Since the car will be cooler, drivers may be less likely to use the AC.
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