Do You Need to Turn on AC for Heating in a Tesla?
3 Answers
Tesla heating does not require AC. The AC button in a car's air conditioning system is for cooling, so it should be turned off when heating is needed. Methods of Car Air Conditioning Heating: It primarily utilizes the heat from the car's coolant circulation to maintain the interior temperature. During this process, the compressor does not work, and you only need to adjust the fan speed. Turning on the AC button may lead to unnecessary fuel consumption. Principle of Car Air Conditioning Heating: Simply adjusting the fan speed button can blow warm air. This warm air is generated by utilizing the internal heat cycle of the car, transferring the heat dissipated by the radiator into the cabin without increasing any fuel consumption.
I've been driving a Tesla Model Y for over two years now and frequently deal with winter heating issues. You don't need to turn on the AC button at all for heating. Tesla's heating primarily relies on the heat pump or high-voltage electric heater. Just turn the temperature knob up to your desired warmth, say 22°C, and warm air will start blowing in the car. So what is AC? It's the switch for the air conditioning compressor, mainly used for cooling or dehumidifying. If your car tends to fog up in cold weather, like on rainy days, briefly turning on the AC can quickly remove moisture and prevent window blurring, but don't keep it on to avoid wasting electricity. Overall, heating operation is very simple—just press the heating button, which is both energy-efficient and convenient, making it smarter than traditional cars.
As someone who has been studying electric vehicles for years, I always enjoy researching Tesla's air conditioning system. Heating doesn't necessarily require turning on the AC, because the warmth is generated by a high-voltage electric-driven heat pump or PTC heating element to produce hot air. The AC's role is to control the cooling and dehumidification processes; in a Tesla, when you select heating mode, the system automatically manages the heat output. Turning on the AC would cause unnecessary compressor activation, increasing power consumption and affecting range. However, if high humidity inside the car leads to fogging issues, activating the AC can speed up air drying to prevent safety hazards. It's recommended to prioritize using the heating button for warmth in cold weather and flexibly adjust with the defogging function as needed.
