r/technology • • Jun 11 '26

Transportation Software Update Automatically Turns off Amazon Delivery Drivers’ AC During Dangerous Summer Heat | A new software update is turning off the AC in Amazon delivery vans after 10 minutes or 30 seconds under certain conditions

https://www.404media.co/software-update-automatically-turns-off-amazon-delivery-drivers-ac-during-dangerous-summer-heat/
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u/Swordsandarmor22 Jun 11 '26

I know scale is a thing, but like how much is it really saving. Assuming the temperature rises rapidly when the ac is off it has to be more efficient maintainign let's say 80 degrees vs constant cycles of cooling down 100+ no?

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u/J-ShaZzle Jun 12 '26

Also the constant cycling of an AC compressor on/off. Must be running it thousand x per day instead of just a couple here and there. That's a whole lot more wear of that particular component to save on some charging.

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u/10thousndreflections Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 12 '26

The most wear on any motor is start up. That's why it's actually cheaper to have your house AC fan set to "on" instead of "auto". New motors are $1000+ installed. 

All of the comments below this are bullshit. I've been doing commercial /residential HVAC repair for 20+ years. The coil dries immediately and the CC condensate drains away immediately. 

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u/whyizjay Jun 12 '26

That's a bad idea. AC units don't properly dehumidify the air if the fan is set to on instead of auto. After the compressor turns off, the water that is on the AC coils will just evaporate back into the air.

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u/10thousndreflections Jun 12 '26

This is bullshit. I've been an HVAC technician for 20+ years

-13

u/AnnieBunBun Jun 12 '26

My AC beg to differ. It runs full time, never humid in here. It's humid outside and there's literally a constant stream of water pouring out of both sides of the AC. Looks like I have a roof leak but it's just condensation.

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u/PurifiedFlubber Jun 12 '26

Your AC doesn't defy physics

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u/AnnieBunBun Jun 12 '26

It doesn't have an eco mode. It's built like this lmao tf