Why You Should Use Your Air Con in Winter

When the temperature drops, many drivers assume air conditioning isn’t needed. After all, if it’s already cold outside, why use it?

Switching your air con off for months at a time can actually harm the system and reduce efficiency. Here’s why it’s important to keep it running all year round:

1. Clears Fogged-Up Windows Quickly

The issue:
Moisture from damp clothes, breath, and cold air causes windscreens to mist up quickly in winter. Warm air alone often isn’t enough to clear it fast.

How air con helps:
Your air con removes excess moisture from the air, speeding up demisting. Combining heat with air con is the most effective way to clear fogged glass, improving safety and visibility.

Tip: Switch your air con on when defrosting for faster, clearer results.

2. Protects Your Air Con System

The issue:
If air con isn’t used for long periods, rubber seals can dry out and refrigerant may leak. Gas and oil inside the system can also settle, causing blockages.

How to prevent this:
Run your air con for at least 10 minutes every week—even in winter—to keep the system lubricated and working smoothly.

Tip: A little use now avoids bigger repair bills later.

3. Prevents Bacteria & Odours

The issue:
When left idle, air con systems can develop bacteria and mould inside, causing unpleasant smells when you switch it back on in summer. These particles can also trigger allergies or irritation.

How to prevent this:
Regular use keeps air circulating and stops bacteria building up. If you notice musty smells, an antibacterial treatment or service will refresh the system.

Tip: Book an air con service every 12–24 months to keep your car fresh and healthy.

4. Maintains Fuel Efficiency

The issue:
A system that hasn’t been used in months has to work harder when restarted, increasing fuel consumption.

How to prevent this:
Running your air con periodically keeps everything circulating properly, so the compressor doesn’t strain when you need it most.

Tip: Using your air con year-round keeps it running at peak efficiency.

At Read Motor Group, our service teams are here to help keep your air conditioning in top condition with specialist servicing and antibacterial treatments.

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Regulated Complaints Post: Ingeni Services Group Limited, 11 Atlas Works, Foundry Ln, Earls Colne, Colchester CO6 2TE Telephone: 01787 221 909, E-mail: info@ingeni.co.uk. If we cannot resolve your complaint within 8 weeks, you may refer your dispute to the Financial Ombudsman Service. This service is free to use. Their consumer helpline is available on 0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9123 or you can visit their website at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

Altyre Way, Humberston, Grimsby, United Kingdom, DN36 4RJ

Reg Office: Altyre Way Humberston, Grimsby United Kingdom DN36 4RJ

Reg. Company Number: 07110298

VAT Reg. No. 613 7400 70

Financial disclosure

Read Derby Limited, Read Automotive Grimsby Limited, Read Hyundai Boston Limited, Read Hyundai Doncaster Ltd, Read Hyundai Kings Lynn Limited, Read Hyundai Limited, Read Hyundai Lincoln Limited, Read Hyundai Worksop Limited is an Appointed Representative of Ingeni Services Group Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number is 747381).

Ingeni Services Group Limited permissions as a Principal Firm allows Read Automotive Grimsby Limited, Read Hyundai Boston Limited, Read Hyundai Doncaster Ltd, Read Hyundai Kings Lynn Limited, Read Hyundai Limited, Read Hyundai Lincoln Limited, Read Hyundai Worksop Limited to act as a credit broker, not as a lender, for the introduction to a limited number of lenders.

We are a credit broker and not a lender. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders and their finance products. We are not an independent financial advisor, and we act on their behalf for this introduction. We may advise you on the products, subject to your personal circumstances, though you are not obliged to take our advice or recommendation. We do not charge you a fee for our services. Whichever lender we introduce you to, we will typically receive commission from them (either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow). For your reassurance, all of the lenders we work with could pay commission at different rates, but the commission we receive does not influence the interest rate you will pay.

Our aim is to secure finance for you at the lowest interest rate you are eligible for from our panel of lenders. If you ask us what the amount of commission is, we will tell you in good time before the Finance agreement is executed. All finance applications are subject to status, terms and conditions apply, UK residents only, 18s or over. Guarantees may be required.

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