Drivers just realising that switching off common feature found in most new cars can boost AC and save fuel for free
EXPERTS have revealed that switching off a common feature found in most new cars can boost your air con and save fuel for free.
The tech is designed to reduce pollution but could leave you hot and bothered as a hot weather health alert comes into force today.
The Met Office is forecasting peaks of up to 31C this week as the mercury soars across the UK.
And the UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat alert covering every region of England bar the far North East.
Forecaster Dan Rudman said: “Fine conditions will return today for the beginning of next week.
“For much of the UK this will be accompanied by a boost in temperatures with many places reaching the mid-20°Cs.
“Some central and southern areas are likely to see temperatures approaching the values needed for heatwave conditions.
“By the beginning to middle of next week it is possible that some parts of the UK could be reaching heatwave thresholds.”
Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat
IT can be really difficult - and costly - to keep kids cool when it's hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mum-of-two Sarah Bull shares five ways to help, and they won't break the budget either.
Strip them off
It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it’s warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun.
Cool down bedrooms before nighttime
When it’s hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep – especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that’s not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It’s also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up.
Wear a hat
Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they’ve got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you’ve got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help.
Avoid the car
The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it’s better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car.
Stay hydrated
This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you’re regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it’s as cold as it can possibly be.
With that in mind, every little helps when it comes to boosting your blower this summer.
Boffins at the Center for Disease Control in America estimate that just one hour in 26C sun could send the temperature inside your motor rocketing over 50C.
But many drivers might not realise the an increasingly common gadget could be holding their climate control back.
The team at Consumer Reports suggest that the auto start/stop function may make your air con less efficient.
The gizmo is designed to reduce idling emissions by shutting off your engine when you come to a halt.
However, this can also shut down the compressor which feeds air into the cooling system.
This means the air con has to work harder for longer to keep cool air flowing around the cabin, using more fuel in the process.
Fortunately, cars with auto start/stop have an opt-out where drivers can shut off the feature with just the push of a button on the dashboard.
This is usually marked with a letter A encircled by an arrow, often with the word “off” marked underneath.
Signs of heatstroke you need to know
HEATSTROKE is a serious condition caused by your body overheating.
If not treated quickly, heatstroke can be life threatening.
Here are five symptoms you must know:
- Feeling confused
- Becoming unresponsive or losing consciousness
- Having a fit or seizure
- Having a temperature above 40C
- Having rapid or irregular breathing
The NHS recommends that if you call 999 if you show any of these symptoms.
It is also often accompanied by a small light which, when ignited, means the auto start/stop has been disabled.
The advice comes after it was revealed how you can make your AC “shoot out ice cold air” for free using just an old scrap of fabric.