According to a study by the National Automobile Dealers Association, around 25 percent of all new vehicles sold in the United States in 2016 had a sunroof.
So, how effective is the sunroof in cooling the cabin? The answer to that question depends on a few factors. The size of the sunroof, the placement of the sunroof, and the tint of the sunroof all play into how effective it is at cooling the cabin. Keep reading to get detailed explanations.
Purpose of a sunroof in cars?
Before we talk about how effective a sunroof is in cooling the cabin first let us talk about its purpose, Sunroofs were originally designed for luxury vehicles. Back in the day, only high-end cars had sunroofs because they were such a novelty. Nowadays, sunroofs are available in all sorts of vehicles from economy cars to full-size SUVs.
The purpose of a sunroof is to let sunlight and fresh air into the cabin. This is especially nice on a beautiful day when you want to enjoy the weather but doesn’t necessarily want to deal with the elements like wind and rain. Sunroofs can also be opened a crack to ventilate the cabin without letting in too much sunlight.
Effectiveness of sunroof in cooling the cabin
Now that we know the purpose of a sunroof, let’s talk about how effective they are in cooling the cabin. The answer to this question depends on four main factors: size, placement, angle, and tint.
1. Size
The first, and perhaps most obvious, is size. The size of the sunroof plays a big role in how effective it is at cooling the cabin. A small sunroof is not going to do much to cool the cabin, but a large sunroof can make a significant difference because it lets in more sunlight and fresh air.
On a very hot day, A larger sunroof will admit more sunlight and fresh air than a smaller one. Have you noticed that on a hot day, the car with the sunroof open is usually cooler than the car without a sunroof? That’s because the sunroof helps to ventilate the cabin and circulate air from outside rushing in and filling up the cabin.
When the sunroof is only open a crack, there’s not as much of a difference, but you’ll still notice that the car cools more quickly when the sunroof is fully open.
2. Placement
Another factor that plays into how effective the sunroof is in cooling the cabin is placement. If you have a sunroof that’s placed near the front of the car, it will do a better job of cooling the cabin because the air will be circulated better.
However, if the sunroof is placed near the back of the car, it won’t be as effective at cooling the cabin. This is because when the sunroof is placed near the back of the car, the air doesn’t circulate as well and it doesn’t cool the cabin as effectively.
3. Tint
The third factor that plays into how effective a sunroof is in cooling the cabin is tint. The tint of the sunroof also has an effect on how well it cools the cabin.
A light-colored sunroof will reflect more sunlight and heat than a dark-colored sunroof. This means that a light-colored sunroof will do a better job of cooling the cabin than a dark-colored sunroof.
4. Angle
The final factor is the angle of the sunroof. If the sunroof is tilted at a steeper angle, it will admit less heat than if it’s parallel to the glass.
This is because the sunroof is acting as a shield, blocking some of the heat from the sun. When it’s tilted at a steeper angle, it’s more effective at blocking the heat.
Now that we’ve looked at all of the factors that play into how effective a sunroof is in cooling the cabin, let’s put them all together and see what we can conclude.
When it comes to size, the larger the sunroof, the more air it will admit. But, placement is also important. If the sunroof is placed closer to the front of the car, it will also admit more air. And, finally, tint also makes a difference. A darker tint will block more of the sunlight and thus keep the cabin cooler.
So, if you’re looking for a sunroof that will help keep your car cool during the summer, look for a large sunroof that’s placed towards the back of the car and has a darker tint. following these guidelines will help you find a sunroof that’s more effective at cooling the cabin.
Keep reading to find out ways to keep your car cool during the summer
Ways to keep your car cool during the summer (Tips & tricks)
There are several ways to keep your car cool during the summer. Many of these are common sense, but some of them may surprise you.
1. Park in the shade
One of the best ways to keep your car cool during the summer is to park in the shade. This will help prevent the car from heating up in the first place. When you leave your car parked outside in the scorching sun, the interior can heat up to dangerously high temperatures.
2. Use a sunshade
Another way to keep your car cool during the summer is to use a sunshade. A sunshade is a piece of fabric that you place over the windshield to block the sun. This can help keep the car cooler, even when it’s parked in the sun.
3. Crack the windows
Another way to keep your car cool during the summer is to crack the windows. This will allow for air circulation and will help prevent the car from becoming a sauna. Just be sure not to crack the windows too much, or you’ll defeat the purpose.
4. Use a sunshade
Another way to keep your car cool during the summer is to use a sunshade. A sunshade is a piece of fabric that you place over the windshield to block the sun. This can help keep the car cooler, even when it’s parked in the sun.
5. Turn on the AC
One of the most obvious ways to keep your car cool during the summer is to turn on the air conditioning. The AC will help circulate cool air and keep the car from becoming a hot box.
6. Use your fan wisely
Another way to keep your car cool during the summer is to use your fan wisely. If you have the AC on, make sure that you’re not also using the fan on high. This can cause the AC to work less effectively.
By following these tips, you can help keep your car cool during the summer and prevent it from becoming a hot box.
Final Thought
As discussed sunroofs in cars have an advantage in keeping your car cool over the summer. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure that your sunroof is working effectively to keep your car cool.
Do you have any other tips for keeping your car cool during the summer? Let me know in the comments below!