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In your FAQ (14) you say leave the AC on all the time. What benefits does this give? Does this not increase your fuel consumption?
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One of the problems with our climate is that for half the year, we don't need a/c for the cooling aspect and many people switch it off.
Without use, components in the system perish and the cost of repair/replacement would probably outweigh the small additional cost of fuel consumption.
Even in winter an a/c system is useful as a dehumidifier inside the vehicle.
Colin
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No. You need to circulate refrigerant through the system because the lubricant for the seals is contained in it. Some Japanese cars automatically clutch in the a/c pump for a minute or two after start-up to make sure this happens. But to make sure the best thing to do is leave the a/c permanently on and switch to cold (to clutch in the pump) once a week for 5 minutes or so. Immediately afterwards, switch to high heat to dry out the vent passages of condensation leaving nothing for bacteria to grow in. If the a/c is on, but the temperature is set to hot, the pump is not clutched in and you are not wasting any energy.
HJ
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Do I also need to switch the blower on to circulate the refigerant and dry out the passages or is it sufficient to just leave the a/c switched on and move the temperature dial without the blower (X reg vectra 2.0 16v)
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Ian Hart wrote:
>
> Do I also need to switch the blower on to circulate the
> refigerant and dry out the passages or is it sufficient to
> just leave the a/c switched on and move the temperature dial
> without the blower (X reg vectra 2.0 16v)
The two actions are separate.
Turning on the a/c will keep the refridgerant system happy.
Turning on the blower with the heat on after giving the a/c a tickle
will ensure that the air ducts are kept dry.
/John
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Most if not all a/c systems will not operate if the blower fan is off. Try it and listen/watch for the compressor clutch to click in/out as the fan is switched on/off.
This has been debated here at great great length before - try a search.
I leave my a/c operational at all times.
Rgds
David
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The air conditioning is fitted to cool the air AND reduce moisture. In spring and autumn the a/c will reduce moisture even if cooling is not required.
As others have said, leave a/c on all year and use the temperature control to regulate the temperature. The main increase in fuel consumption comes from hauling 30kg of extra equipment at all times, not from switching it on.
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