Seems weird, doesn't it? Use the car's air conditioning during the winter months. They are quite cold; our cars no longer need to be cooled. Well, you're right, but if you wait until the new year to relaunch, you'll be disappointed. So why on earth is using your air conditioning in winter a good idea? This is what we will talk about in this article.
How does a car's air conditioning system work?
So here's the science part. Hopefully this will give you a better idea of why using your air conditioning in the winter is such a good idea.
The most important part of your air conditioning system is the refrigerant gas stored in the compressor. This makes the outside air cool and fresh and is probably the most critical part of the process. During the journey from the compressor to the condenser, the refrigerant gas becomes liquid and then binds to the outside air. Then it is sent to the dryer to remove any impurities in the air, such as dust or pollen. After that, the air is almost ready to be pumped into the cabin.
The final step in the process involves a set of evaporator coils. The liquid passes over it and turns back into gas – the fresh air you feel in the cabin. The right amount of liquid is released every time thanks to the thermal expansion valve. This limits the amount of liquid that can flow over the evaporator coils at any one time. At the end of this process, the refrigerant turns back into gas and returns to the compressor to begin the journey again.
Still with us? Just about? That's okay, because here's the most important part: why this process is important to you.
3 reasons why using your car's air conditioning in winter is useful
Hopefully this makes our entry into the world of science a little clearer. The three main reasons to use your air conditioning in the winter are: keeping the system lubricated for the summer, keeping your windshield defogged, and limiting the buildup of harmful mold and bacteria.
Keep the system lubricated during the summer months
Your air conditioning system will seize up if it is not used regularly. The rubber seals, over which the coolant flows, are most affected. If you don't use your air conditioning system for a few weeks, you could cause leaks in the joints and piping, which could result in a costly repair bill! If you use your air conditioning during the winter, the rubber seals will stay well lubricated and be ready to roll when summer arrives.
Limit the accumulation of bacteria and mold
This becomes especially important if you or someone you know has asthma or allergies. Remember when we said that your car's air conditioning system filters the outside air to remove dust and pollen? Well, it's a very important part of his job. If this dust and pollen settles on the filters, they could quickly become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that you don't want to breathe.
If you turn on your car's air conditioning and you notice a funny smell, it could be a sign that bacteria is growing deep inside. This could have happened thanks to lack of use. To avoid this, make sure to give your air conditioning a quick run from time to time during the winter. We'll tell you how shortly.
Keep the lane ahead
When it's cold outside, we all know how easy it is for our windshield to fog up. But how? Well, when moisture settles on the windshield, it condenses on the cold surface and creates steam. This leads to a lack of visibility and a potentially dangerous situation if you don't eliminate it quickly enough. This is where your car's air conditioning system comes into play. As we mentioned earlier, it dries the air in the cabin so that moisture, steam and frost cannot form on the windshield. Use your air conditioning to clean the windshield in the morning rather than a cloth. You will notice the difference and be able to leave sooner.
There are many obvious benefits to using your air conditioning all year round. But the most important question is: how to proceed? Well, that's a question we've answered below.
This is the best way to use your system
Now, we're not saying you should have your air conditioning on all the time – why would you want to be even colder? No, you just need to turn it on for about ten to fifteen minutes every two weeks. That makes it work, but that doesn't mean you can't use it more regularly.
And above all, you can use the heating at the same time as your air conditioning. You can sit in a hot car with the air conditioning dial turned to the completely cold position. Let it warm up (so to speak) while you stay warm. The only thing we don't recommend is opening the windows when your air conditioning is on. They both do the same job, so all you do is use more fuel.
So here's a simple and pleasant way to keep your air conditioning in the best possible condition for next summer's heatwave (if it ever happens). However, if you're sitting here thinking, 'I've never done that before!', there's no need to panic. We also have some simple steps to help you.
My air conditioning system is not working, what should I do?
Your air conditioning system will deteriorate over time, whether you use it in winter or not. Fortunately, there is a quick and easy process to get it working again, called air conditioning regassing. And if you think you need it, we can restore your air conditioning system to make it look like new.
Why did it stop working?
Now, there is no guarantee that yours has stopped working just because you didn't use it during the winter. Regular use certainly helps, but if two years have passed since your last air conditioning regassing, your system probably won't be in its best condition. In fact, you lose between 10 and 20% of your refrigerant gas each year. Do you remember how important that was? If there is not enough refrigerant gas pumped into the system, you will not feel cold air in the cabin. It's that simple.
How will I know if the system has stopped working?
Usually it's when you turn it on and you don't feel the cold air on your hand. However, there are a few warning signs that your air conditioning is about to break down. If your air conditioning is having trouble producing cold air or there is a funny smell in the cabin, there probably isn't enough refrigerant gas left in the system. Your air conditioning also affects fuel economy, so if you notice you're making more trips to the pump, a faulty system could be the cause.
How do I recharge my refrigerant gas?
When regassing a car's air conditioning, the mechanic will replace your refrigerant gas by filling your compressor to the recommended limit. They will use a specialized machine to vacuum all the remaining refrigerant gas from the system, then replace it with fresh gas, unless they discover a more serious problem. In this case, the mechanic will determine what the problem is, repair it and then refill your compressor.
The most common problem is a crack in the system which can cause your refrigerant gas to leak. This can happen when you don't use your car's air conditioning system for an extended period of time, such as in winter. To avoid costly repairs in the future, you should use your air conditioning regularly.
What are the advantages of this process?
The biggest benefit of an air conditioning regas is the fact that you will have a fully charged car air conditioning system to keep you cool during the scorching summer months. We've all driven in a heatwave before: having air conditioning is much more comfortable, right? You'll also have peace of mind knowing that your system is fungus-free, and because you're putting less strain on the engine by running a faulty system, you'll be able to get a few extra miles from each tank of fuel.
More information on your car's air conditioning
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