Can I Use Air Con in Winter?

As the cooler weather kicks in, many drivers stop using their air conditioning until the summer months. While this seems like a good idea, we encourage you not to go ‘cold turkey’ on your car’s interior cooling system and use it despite the cold weather.

Why? Surprisingly, there is a whole list of reasons why you should use your air con in the winter, from being able to identify problems such as it not getting cold enough before hot summer months, to even saving you money.

Air con is not just for hot weather

Many drivers are sceptical when it comes to using a system intended for cooling in already-cool temperatures. But air con doesn’t just cool drivers and passengers down in the summer months. In fact, running your air con throughout all seasons, including winter, can save you both money and time on repairs and small inconveniences, like fogged-up windows.

Why use air con in winter?

Monitor air con health

If you keep your air con system running consistently throughout the year, it becomes easy to identify any changes in performance.

By using your car’s air con in the winter too, you’ll be able to detect when it needs regassing as soon as problems begin, rather than finding out that your air-con doesn’t work on the first hot, stuffy day of the year.

Maintain air con performance

Since air con is not checked as part of a standard MOT, many drivers overlook its importance as a working part of their vehicle. Drivers should, however, treat their air con like any other essential vehicle system in terms of maintenance and upkeep.

If left unused for weeks or months on end, your air con could seize up, and its circulation system could become faulty. Air con systems are filled with oil and refrigerant (as well as a few other fluids) which will stagnate, dry out, or congeal if left unused for a while.

Save money

While at Kwik Fit air con recharge and servicing is relatively inexpensive, elsewhere repairs and air con debugging can set you back a fair bit. So, save yourself time by using your air con year-round, to avoid needing a recharge in the first place.

If you are worried about your air con’s performance, though, book in a free air con check at your local Kwik Fit centre.

Fresh cabin air

Air conditioning does more than just blow cool air into your face; it also freshens up the air inside your vehicle’s cabin for comfort and cleanliness. The air emitted from your air con vents is dry, and actually acts as a dehumidifier inside your vehicle. That being said, if you’re after fresher cabin air, it’s essential to get your air con recharged regularly.

Clear windows on cold mornings

As a result of its dehumidifying properties, air from your air con is a great tool on cold, frosty mornings. If you’re running late for work and need to de-mist the windscreen, air con can come to your aid. Simply utilise the warm setting and watch the frost melt away for an unobstructed view of the road.

Can I drive with my air-con on and my windows open? 

In short, you can drive with your windows open and the air-con on, but it’s not advisable for a long period of time. 

This is because, for a start, it’s not economical to have the air-con running whilst the windows are open in both extremes of the weather. If you have the window open, letting hot, humid or cold air in your car whilst you're trying to achieve a moderate temperature, you waste energy. Having the windows closed will keep the comfortable temperature in. 

Further, having your windows open can push your air-conditioning system to work harder, and can potentially cause problems if the strain is over a long period of time. 

What’s more efficient: air conditioning or an open window?

The bottom line is that neither are fuel efficient. Air conditioning eats into your fuel costs, especially in the extremities of weather - such as having your car warm up in freezing conditions. However, having your air-con on doesn't increase your aerodynamic drag like opening your windows does. Having your windows open to allow air in slows the car down as air pushes against the back of your car, meaning you need to use more fuel to combat the force. If outdoor air is stagnant or polluted, air conditioning remains the better option for comfort and air quality.

The best way to maintain a temperature in your car is through intervals of using air con to maintain your desired temperature. But, if you aren’t whizzing down the motorway at 70mph, you can also use an open window if it’s mild enough. 

Maintaining your air conditioning with Kwik Fit

Concerned about the air-conditioning in your car? Contact us today or find your local Kwik Fit centre to see how our experts can help you. We offer a range of support and advice to make the most of your drive, including free checks on your air con to make sure everything is working as it should. Make sure to keep an eye on our blog for more useful help and guidance.