In Australia’s current economy, where fuel prices are constantly on the rise, fuel efficiency has become a top priority for most car owners. Everyone is looking for ways to reduce their consumption and save money on their fuel. Whilst many take the route of driving slower, there is also a very efficient method to reduce consumption that most overlook… car window tinting.
Car window tinting is mainly used to improve the aesthetic of a car or to add a layer of privacy from the outside world, but it offers a big practical benefit that goes beyond how it looks. One big advantage is its efficiency in saving money. This happens due to the reduction of heat entering your car from the tint, which results in less of a need for air conditioning, which in turn, reduces fuel consumption.
In this article, we will look into how car window tinting can help to improve fuel efficiency and in return save you some dollars over time.
So, What Is Window Tinting?
Car window tinting is when a thin and transparent film is applied to the interior of a cars window. This film is applied for many reasons:
- Reduce the amount of UV rays penetrating the glass
- Increasing privacy
- Reducing unwanted glare
- Improved fuel efficiency
- And many more reasons.
Tinting Reduces The Need For Air Conditioning
One of the main ways window tinting helps improve fuel economy is by reducing the amount of heat that enters your car. During hot months in Sydney, the weather can get pretty hot, which will cause most people to crank up the AC, your AC is connected to the engine which results in an increase in fuel used.
This can be done in 2 ways:
- Reflectivity: Window tinting helps to reflect sunlight that hits the surface of the windows, which results in less heat entering the car. The level of reflectivity will depend on the type and quality of the tint film used.
- UV Protection: Ultraviolet radiation (UV) that comes from the sun can affect not only your skin but also your interior, which can fade and deteriorate over time.
Effects on Air Conditioning Usage
The reduced heat in the car from window tinting has a big improvement on the AC system, Here’s how:
Less Heat Needed
With the heat reduction, the inside temperature of the car will remain cooler even when it’s hot. This means the AC system doesn’t have to work as hard as it would normally to maintain a comfortable temperature, as a result, this leads to lower fuel economy.
Less Cooling Needed
When a car is parked in the sun for too long, the inside gets pretty hot, this usually requires the AC to work overtime to cool the car. Window tinting helps to reduce this build-up of heat, which allows the AC to only cool the car down a few degrees.
Extended AC Lifespan
By reducing the workload on the AC system, window tinting can help extend its lifespan and reduce the likelihood of breakdowns or malfunctions. This not only saves money on repairs but also contributes to overall vehicle reliability and longevity.
Picking The Right Tint For Fuel Economy
Picking the right window tint for your car is important when factoring in the potential fuel savings long term, here are some factors you may want to include:
Tint Darkness – How dark the tint is will affect the amount of light and heat that gets in the car, although this is not always the case, some quality tints like ceramic tints can reflect light up to 99% even in some of the lower % tints. It’s also important to take into consideration Sydney’s rules for tinting, so you can stay compliant.
UV Reflection – As a follow-on from what we said above, it’s best to look for tint film that offers high levels of UV and infrared reflection to ensure a high bar of UV protection and heat reduction.
Quality and Durability – Investing in high quality tint films that are scratch resistant, fade resistant, and durable is important to keep up performance over the long term.
Summary of How Car Window Tinting Can Save You Money on Fuel
Window tinting offers a multitude of different benefits to not only yourself but your vehicle from reducing heat transfer and minimising air conditioning usage to making your car look stylish and blocking harmful rays that can cause cancer. By understanding the types of window tints that are out there and their pros and cons, you can make more of an informed decision to help your car reduce its fuel economy.
It also keeps the inside of your car much cooler, reduces glare from oncoming traffic/sun, and provides a layer of security. Whilst there is an initial investment in window tinting, it is often offset by long term savings on fuel, interior preservation, and maintaining a higher resale value for the vehicle.
If you are looking for quality tinting for your car, get in contact with our team today!