In the summer, cars get really hot, blistering hot, so much so that you might think your backside is fusing the with the seats. That is why there is air conditioning in cars. However, your AC increases fuel usage which means that it winds up costing you more money to run it. We live in a world that is becoming increasingly aware of how humans affect the environment in a negative way. This is why there is an increasing demand for solar-powered AC for cars. Let’s take a closer look at this to see what it’s all about.
The Benefits Of Solar-powered AC For Cars
Solar power and other forms of clean energy are becoming increasingly popular in today’s world. There is no doubt about the fact that it’s much cleaner than burning fossil fuels and it doesn’t pollute the planet. There is also the fact that using solar power ends up being quite bit cheaper to use in the long run. Let’s take a look at the various benefits that come with using solar-powered air condition for cars.
It’s cleaner and greener
Perhaps the biggest benefit that you get from using solar-powered air conditioning for your car is that it is a clean form of energy. Using gasoline or other fuel sources, when combusted, release carcinogens, disease-causing chemicals, greenhouse gasses and more.
That smoke coming out of your tailpipe is poisonous to humans and to the environment as a whole. Even if you don’t have a solar-powered car, using solar power to run your AC is a step in the right direction. It will cut down on fuel emissions, thus helping to preserve our planet and our lungs.
It works well for smaller cars and in sunny areas
Solar-powered AC for your car is a great way to go if you live in a sunny area. Make no mistake about it, this requires a fair amount of constant sunlight to charge and/or to run efficiently. So, if you live in a really sunny place, solar-powered AC will work well for you. On that same note, solar-powered AC is best for smaller cars.
You are supporting green tech
Oil companies have had a firm grip on the automotive industry for quite a long time now. However, things are slowly starting to change, especially with the implementation of solar-powered AC units. If you are tired of the big oil companies polluting the world and dictating prices, supporting solar power oriented automotive companies is a big deal no doubt.
Saving on fuel costs
One of the big benefits that you get when you use a solar-powered AC unit in your car is that you will end up saving on fuel costs. Here we are not talking about cars that totally rely on solar energy, but about cars that still use gasoline or diesel, but have been outfitted with a solar air conditioning unit.
The bottom line is that gas and diesel are both becoming increasingly unaffordable, so much so that many people are choosing to use public transportation rather than driving their own vehicles. It might not seem like cooling your car uses too much gas, but every little bit counts.
Simply put, besides the initial cost of the solar AC unit, the cold air provided for your car is totally free. You charge up the air conditioner with the sun, which is free, and you can then cool your car. The larger your car is, and the hotter the climate you live in, the more money you will end up saving with a solar-powered AC unit, after the initial expense of the purchase.
Solar-powered AC For Cars – Some Disadvantages
In terms of solar-powered air condition for cars, there are a couple of drawbacks that do need to be considered. Let’s talk about these real quick.
High startup cost
Yes, solar-powered AC units will save you money in the long run. However, if you want an efficient and durable solar-powered AC system for your car, you will need to deal with pretty high starting costs. The technology is not cheap to purchase, which is true not matter what the type of solar AC you get. Be prepared to spend a few thousand dollars for a good unit.
Weather reliant
Solar power has come quite a long way over the past decade, but it is still far from perfect. The bottom line is that if you want to run the AC at max, or make sure that the solar panels charge the battery well, you need to have a lot of sunlight. if you live in an area where it is rainy, or overcast a good portion of the time, a solar-powered AC unit is probably not the best.
Installation
The other problem that comes with using solar power for your car’s AC unit is that installing them can be tricky. There are a few different setups to go with, but the bottom line is that you might have to modify the car, or at least spend a good amount of money for professional installation.
A Quick Word on the Types of Solar-powered AC for Cars
One thing that you need to know is that, generally speaking, there are two main types of solar-powered AC units for cars. On one hand, you have a solar panel setup. This means installing solar panels on the roof of your car, and a fairly large AC unit within the car. This can be expensive, but they are efficient, they work well, and they save money.
The other kind you can go with is a small portable unit. There are smaller portable AC units available which you can actually just place in your car. They need to be taken out in order to charge, but they don’t take up too much room and have low startup costs. With that being said, their small size does limit efficacy a bit.
Solar-powered AC for Cars
The bottom line is that using a solar-powered AC unit for your car has many benefits that outweigh the cons. If you want to be green and save money too, it’s definitely a good idea to keep in mind. If you’re looking for a solar-powered AC for you car, you can try various online stores.
