Does Using Air Conditioning in Winter Consume More Fuel?
2 Answers
Using air conditioning in winter does not consume additional fuel because the vehicle's heating system utilizes the heat generated by the engine to warm the cabin. Based on the type of heat source, automotive heating systems are mainly divided into two categories: one uses engine coolant as the heat source (employed by the majority of vehicles today), and the other uses fuel as the heat source (adopted by a few mid-to-high-end cars). When the engine coolant reaches a sufficiently high temperature, it flows through a heat exchanger in the heating system (commonly referred to as the heater core). The air blown by the fan undergoes heat exchange with the engine coolant, and the heated air is then distributed into the cabin through various vents. Precautions for using air conditioning in winter: When the heating system is set to recirculation mode for an extended period, the air inside the car becomes stale, especially given the limited space. Therefore, it is essential to periodically open the windows for ventilation when using the heater in winter. When using the heater, it is advisable to partially open the windows to allow some air circulation. Enabling convection mode can prevent the cabin from becoming too dry and improve air quality. Before parking, remember to turn off the air conditioning. The residual warmth inside the cabin will last for a short while, so there's no need to worry about feeling too cold. Additionally, switch to the fresh air mode to clean the air ducts of the HVAC system, preventing bacterial growth.
This question hits the nail on the head! Using the heater in winter is completely different from using the AC in summer. You see that AC button on the dashboard? That controls the compressor. The heater utilizes the engine's waste heat and hardly consumes any extra fuel. However, turning on the heater right after starting the car can slightly increase fuel consumption because the engine coolant hasn't warmed up yet, and the ECU will inject more fuel to heat it up. I've tried driving at -10°C, and if I wait until the coolant temperature gauge reaches the middle before turning on the heater, there's basically no change in fuel consumption. Also, remember not to press the AC button, as activating the compressor will indeed consume fuel.
