An Amazingly Simple Way to Add Air-Conditioning to Your Car For one reason or another, there are plenty of people who don’t have air-conditioning in their cars. I happen to be one of them. I don’t know why, it’s just been broken for years, and every time I get to the point where I have time to fix it, it’s cold outside again and I don’t care anymore. Whatever the case – you’re saving money for a European vacation or the dog got sick last spring – you may be someone with no air-conditioning when it’s disgustingly hot outside. After digging through a bunch of summer themed YouTube videos (one was even narrated in Tagalog), I’ve found a temporary (or semipermanent if you, like me, are that guy) solution to your hot weather automotive problem. I’ll preface this by saying that my personal favorites in the realm of YouTube videos aren’t the ones where the host (or whatever it is you call someone who makes a habit of posting on YouTube) buys some little gadget at the store to solve a problem.

I prefer when the Internet do-it-yourselfer makes something out of bits and pieces that cost less than $10. A fine example is the homemade air-conditioning unit featured in this video, consisting of only a cheap dash fan, a five-gallon bucket and several two-liter bottles filled with water and frozen. The guy couldn’t have spent more than $15 on this contraption, and although it would eat up a bit of legroom, looks like it would work swimmingly well in the relatively close confines of a pickup truck cab, which is where I intend to try it. I’ll let you know how it goes.When the 2017 E-class debuts next year, Mercedes-Benz will market the hell out of its self-driving capabilities and electronic safety aids. Nary a primetime TV ad will detail a decidedly unsexy yet important feature: the new air-conditioning system. Mercedes will be first to market with a carbon-dioxide refrigerant, an eco-friendly alternative that promises greater fuel economy, quicker cooling, and faster defrosting.

While this sounds counterintuitive as governments call for slashed vehicle CO2 emissions, the world’s most abundant greenhouse gas is actually the least harmful choice for A/C units in terms of what climate scientists call global-warming potential (the relative level of atmospheric heat that gases trap over 100 years compared to CO2). Among the synthetic hydrofluorocarbons in use today, the common R134a refrigerant has a global-warming potential 1430 times that of CO2. Yet compared to the chlorofluorocarbons damaging the ozone layer before their ban in 1996, R134a was and is a huge improvement.cover for central air conditioner unit But emissions laws are only getting tougher. size ac unit for roomIt’s why the European Union has banned R134a refrigerants for new cars starting in January 2017. ac unit cheap

The U.S. is requiring the same change for the 2021 model year. All automakers must switch to alternative gases, but only European versions of the 2017 E-class and S-class have leaped all the way to CO2. Estimates vary, but CO2 refrigerant—known in HVAC parlance as R744—is yet another trick automakers can wield to increase efficiency and improve cooling performance, much like the dual benefits of more power and greater efficiency delivered by direct fuel injection. But CO2 is a notoriously difficult gas to stream within existing A/C systems. To sustain a required pressure of more than 1450 psi, roughly 10 times the level of today’s R134a refrigerant, Mercedes had to redesign everything—all-new compressors, hoses, seals, you name it. It also has to ensure there’s no leaking CO2 and train service technicians on how not to asphyxiate themselves. And, yes, that’s all very expensive. And so much of the industry is instead moving to R1234yf, a hydrofluoroolefin that breaks down in the atmosphere after just a few days and has but four times the level of global-warming potential as CO2.

It’s way cheaper, widely available, and won’t require massive bouts of reengineering. But unlike R134a and CO2, R1234yf is potentially flammable. After Daimler released test results of R1234yf bursting into flames in 2013, it refused to continue using the refrigerant and recalled cars that had the gas onboard. Since then, all the German automakers “have decided to concentrate on and complete the development of air-conditioning systems that are suitable for the use of R744,” according to the German Association of the Automotive Industry, which completed a technical standard for CO2 usage. The Society of Automotive Engineers hasn’t yet adopted a CO2 standard, although it will be “considered and evaluated,” program manager Gary Pollak told us. “My observations are that R744 needs additional system design development before it is cost effective in the mainstream,” Pollak said. “R1234yf use systems are already viable.” Daimler also has reversed course on R1234yf to temporarily satisfy emissions regulations across its entire lineup, but not without its typical hyperfocus on safety.

The company is developing special crash structures to keep the refrigerant separate from the engine compartment and is installing a system that, upon a crash, will release argon gas to cool the “relevant hot spots” to prevent a fire. Until this refrigerant debate chills and we see some data from one of these Euro-spec Benzes, we’re not taking bets on better cabin comfort or fuel economy. But it’s nice to see automakers fighting over subtle improvements that every driver may one day feel. Regular versus Premium Gasoline The Biggest Waste of Speeding Energy Losses In A Vehicle Other Places to Visit Weekly California Gasoline Prices 10 Ways to Reduce Your Fuel Costs, NOW! Here are ways to reduce your fuel costs in your vehicle. Purchase Fuel Wisely - Save up to 20% Use the Right Grade of Gasoline / Don't Top Off: Most cars run fine on regular. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out what's right for your car. (See regular vs. premium.)

Don't "top off" at the pump and make sure your fuel fill cap is on tight and working right. Regular grade fuel cost about 20-cents per gallon less than premium grade. Look for the Best Price / Limit Purchases When Prices are High: Today's gasolines provide very similar engine performance (although some brands have different gasoline blends that provide other benefits), so choose stations in your area with the lowest prices. Fuel prices can vary 10% within a few blocks. Avoid filling the tank during Alter Travel Practices - Save up to 30% Use Carpooling / Public Transit / Non-Motorized Options: Ride the bus, carpool, bicycle or walk instead of drivingSharing a ride to work with a friend or two effectively doubles your fuel economy for the trip and may allow you to use the diamond lane. Take Advantage of Telecommuting / Telecommunications Technology: Many employers offer telecommuting as an option. Use the computer and telephone to replace vehicle trips for

business, shopping and services when possible. Drive More Efficiently - Save up to 20% Don't Drive Aggressively / Drive at the Speed Limit: Avoid aggressive driving and aggressive starts. vehicles lose fuel economy at speeds above 55 mph. Driving 65 instead of 75 mph reduces fuel cost 13%. Driving 55 would save 25%. Reduce Air Conditioner Use / Close Windows: Using the air conditioner increases fuel cost from 13% up toIf it's cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation instead of rolling down the windows or using Eliminate Extra Wind Resistance and Weight: Using a loaded roof rack increases fuel consumption. load inside your vehicle if you can. unnecessary weight is better still. Minimize Vehicle Idling: Today's vehicles are designed to warm up fast. Avoid idling when you can; idling is 0 miles per gallon. Improve the Efficiency of the Vehicle You Drive - save up to 50% Maintain Vehicle Efficiency: Regular maintenance as

prescribed by the vehicle owner's manual will help your vehicle achieve its best fuel economy. maintenance items, such as a dirty air filter and under-inflated tires, can increase your fuel cost up to 13%. When replacing your tires, replace them with the same make and model as the tires that were on your vehicle when it wasIt's been estimated that if all Californians properly inflated and aligned their tires, we'd save 300 million gallons of gasoline a year! Drive or Purchase a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle: Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle whenever possible. purchasing, consider the most fuel efficient vehicle and save up to 50%. Consider a hybrid-electric, a diesel vehicle, or even a motorcycle. The next best option is to purchase the most fuel efficient vehicle within the class of vehicles you are considering. Final Word on Gasoline-Saving Devices Please also be aware that many companies will try to sell you