Idling in your big truck not only wastes gas and costs money, it’s also bad for the environment; in fact, many areas of the country are passing anti-idling laws that prevent truckers from running their engines regardless of the outside temperature. So what are the best ways to keep your cabin cool during the hot summer months?

Truck Stop Electrification
Sometimes also known as IdleAire truck stops, electrified truck stops allow truckers to “plug in” to an electrical system using a large yellow hose that connects to their cab. The hose provides a power source so truck drivers can cool or heat their trucks, run electricity, watch cable, and surf the Internet without being idle. And at about $2 an hour, it’s also a much cheaper substitute for idle.

Cabin cooling systems
Since IdleAire truck stops are still relatively new and therefore largely unavailable, another ideal alternative to idling is a cab cooling system, such as BlueCool (a 300-pound black box that is mounted on the truck frame rail). While its initial price can be high (it can cost up to $6,000 to install), a cooling system typically pays for itself within a year.

Auxiliary power units and generator
Mounted on the truck, the generators and power units burn less than a quarter of fuel per hour, allowing people with CDL driver jobs to save gas and reduce emissions while complying with local idling regulations. They are also a more cost effective way to avoid idling compared to more expensive methods.

Automatic shutdown devices
Such devices automatically turn off a large truck’s engine after five minutes of inactivity; if the parking brake is not activated, it turns off after 15 minutes. Auto shut-off devices are not adjustable and are tamper resistant as they are installed by the manufacturer.