Reply #36: Air conditioning does draw a huge amount of electricity. [View All]

[Tesha]

> The a/c unit doesn't pull electricity from the alternator

While you're correct in stating that (in most gasoline
powered vehicles) the compressor itself isn't driven
by the alternator, the A/C still draws a huge amount
of electricity.

If your car is like most and has an electric radiator
cooling fan, that fan is switched on to run constantly
while the A/C is on, and that draws 25-50 Amps.

The ventilating blower is always electric and draws
10-25 amps.

And the electric clutch of the A/C compressor draws
an amp or three.

An electric-only car, of course, powers the A/C compressor
itself using electricity as do the second-generation Prius
hybrid cars (so the A/C can keep working even when the
internal combustion motor is turned off).

Tesha