How much does using an air conditioner in a hybrid car affect its fuel economy?

Question

How much does using an air conditioner in a hybrid car affect its fuel economy?

Answer 1

Typically a Hybrid has just enough HP to get by. Unfortunately the A/C compressor uses about the same as on the other production vehicles with a higher HP. Your relative drag on the engine is therefore proportionately higher. This means that the penalty in economy will be--percentage wise--higher as well.



It is noted by fuel economy pundits that using an air-conditioner in the city is often a real fuel burner and at highway speeds, the difference between windows up/air on vs. windows down/air off is negligible.



I have found this to not be true. My vehicle uses considerably more fuel (2.5-2.8 mpg loss) at 55mph with windows up and air on than at 55mph front windows cracked open air off.



Your hybrid car probably has instantaneous mpg readout. Just try it and see.

Answer 2

It depends - It is best to run with the air on while driving on the highway with the windows shut. This improve dynamics. While in the city at slow speeds running the air has a minor negitive affect on fuel economy - How hot do you like to be?