Do You Need to Turn on AC for Heating?
3 Answers
Heating does not require turning on the AC; the AC is only needed for cooling. Here are some details: 1. The AC button activates the compressor, which is used when you need cooling. The compressor is the most fuel-consuming component of the air conditioning system. 2. The heating function of the air conditioner does not require the compressor to work. The car can be warmed up entirely by utilizing the residual heat generated by the engine. Below are the steps to turn on the car's heating system: (1) After starting the car, wait approximately 8-15 minutes until the water temperature rises to the normal operating temperature (when the temperature gauge reaches the middle). (2) Adjust the air conditioning circulation mode to internal circulation. (3) Switch to the heating mode. Some cars indicate this with a red zone, while others use a sun symbol. (4) Do not turn on the AC switch, as the heating system uses the car's own heat cycle to save energy. (5) Adjust the air conditioning to a suitable setting and direct the airflow to distribute the heat throughout the cabin.
Years of driving experience have taught me that you really don't need to turn on the AC for warm air! The AC is an air conditioning system mainly responsible for cooling; while warm air comes from the heat generated by the engine during operation, which heats the air sent into the car through the heater core. You just need to turn the temperature knob to the high-temperature zone, turn on the fan and increase the airflow, and warm air will naturally come out. Turning on the AC might actually increase fuel consumption because the compressor consumes energy when activated. However, in high humidity or when the windshield fogs up, briefly turning on the AC can help dehumidify, making the air drier and reducing fogging issues. But this isn't necessary; for daily heating, simply operating the warm air controls is sufficient, avoiding unnecessary engine burden, especially when starting the car in winter—just wait patiently for a few minutes, and the warm air will come up. In short, turning on the AC for warm air is purely an optional aid; it's better to save some fuel money by not going the extra mile.
As a practical-minded veteran driver, I often remind friends: the heater doesn't rely on AC at all. The heating system utilizes waste heat from the engine - just turn up the temperature and increase fan speed. The AC is a compressor component for cooling. Although turning on both heater and AC can dehumidify and reduce windshield fogging, it's only recommended for brief use in humid or foggy conditions. Otherwise, it causes extra fuel consumption and reduces efficiency. Personally, I only activate AC for dehumidification when dealing with foggy windshields in winter or after rainy days. For regular heating, I simply adjust the heater settings for hassle-free warmth. Remember, the heat source comes from engine warmth - AC isn't essential. Mastering these tools flexibly optimizes driving comfort.
