What can I use instead of car cooling? A portable AC is a great way to keep the car interior cool and comfortable. Other ways to cool your car include windshield shade, window tint, seat covers, car covers, and a portable fan.
Get a Car Floor Cooler or Fan
A simple car cooler device, available for around $50, can be nearly as effective as a built-in AC system. The cooler rests on the floorboard of a car and plugs into your car's 12-volt power supply.
A swamp cooler (used in the West where you have low humidity) can be effective and is cheaper to operate. These work by circulating water over coils (outside, usually in a tower) and then the cooler water is circulated back into your home and air blows across those coils.
What's more, many of today's newest cars use the latest refrigerant called R-1234yf. You cannot mix refrigerant types, and putting the wrong refrigerant in your car will cause damage to the air conditioning system!
The best thing for it is to keep temperatures down in the first place. Window tint, sun shades in the windshield, venting while parked in the sun, trying to park in the shade, using garages when possible, etc. all seem to do more.
Refrigerant Levels and Recharging
Refrigerant can dissipate very slowly from seals, and a recharge is required to restore the performance you're used to. A repair shop can check for leaks and recharge the system in about an hour or so. Or, you can get a kit from AutoZone and recharge your own AC.
What should you do? DO: Call your mechanic. AC systems are complicated, so to fix the problem as soon as possible without damaging your car, contact a trustworthy auto technician. Call as soon as you can, especially if the forecast promises hot and sunny days.
Other ways to cool your car include windshield shade, window tint, seat covers, car covers, and a portable fan.
A DIY air conditioner uses a fan to blow air either through a duct embedded in ice or through copper tubing suspended on the front of a fan.
My top pick is the Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner; it does an outstanding job of cooling and was among the quietest models we tested. For a budget option, I recommend the LG Portable Air Conditioner.
Ceiling fans. The most popular solution for air circulation inside the room, fans facilitate the downward movement of air and help displace the warmer air around you. Similarly, exhaust -fans help remove hot air from kitchens and bathrooms.
We often hear, “Is it OK to run the fan without the AC?” The short answer is: Yes. You can run the fan with the AC off.
If you've noticed that your car's AC system isn't as cool as it once was, start by troubleshooting issues you can take care of at home. Replace the air filters, clean the ducts and recharge the system. After that, if you're still having problems with the AC, bring your car to a mechanic.
While trivial amounts of freon can be naturally lost over time, your air conditioner is a sealed system designed to keep freon recirculating—often for the full lifespan of your vehicle.
Portable air conditioners are a great option to use in a car, RV, van, or truck to keep things comfortable when the temperatures begin to drop or climb. Make sure that any installation and charging is possible in your vehicle, or opt for a compact unit that doesn't require installation.