I sort of had the impression that A/C did not zap too much. Have mine on all summer practically and never really notice it much, still plenty of GO. It does drop gas mileage by 1-2 MPG though..
1999 Amazon Green SVT Contour (#554/2760) Stock SVT Duratec V6 with: Intake- K&N filter/75mm MAF meter Exhaust- MSDS Y-pipe/Bassani catback Durability-Ford "dual mode" damper, Mobil 1/K&N oil filter 179.2 FWHP at 6900 RPM