Should the A/C Be Turned On in Winter for Car Air Conditioning?
2 Answers
In winter, turning on the air conditioning is for heating, and there is no need to turn on the A/C. Below are the specific reasons and the principle of how the air conditioning provides warm air: Reasons not to turn on the A/C: The A/C light indicates that the air conditioning compressor is activated, which increases the engine load and fuel consumption. The warm air in a car's air conditioning system is provided by the engine coolant, so there is no need to turn on the A/C when using the heater in winter. Principle of how the air conditioning provides warm air: The warm air from the air conditioning is supplied by the engine coolant, which is the "water" in the radiator. Two hoses are connected from the engine coolant circulation loop to the heater core inside the air conditioning assembly. The warm air is delivered into the cabin by the fan, which transfers the heat from the heater core. Using the air conditioning for heating in winter neither affects the vehicle's power nor increases fuel consumption.
Having driven for over a decade, I've learned there's real nuance to using A/C in winter. The key is assessing dehumidification needs – when the car's crowded or during rainy days, windows fog up easily. Engaging A/C rapidly removes moisture, proving far more efficient than relying solely on heated air. While compressor activation does consume some fuel, modern vehicles are intelligently designed to avoid summer-level strain. My routine is activating AUTO mode immediately; it automatically determines A/C necessity. During long drives in heavy fog, disabling A/C often leads to dangerous recurring fogging. However, in arid northern regions, the heater alone suffices without wasting that extra fuel.
