Should the AC be turned on when using the car heater in winter?
2 Answers
In winter, the car's air conditioning does not need to have the AC turned on because the heater, which provides warm air, is required during this season. More information about the car is as follows: 1. The heater operates by converting the heat from the engine's coolant to produce warm air; 2. The AC button is for the air conditioning cooling function. Pressing this button activates the air conditioning compressor, with some models illuminating an indicator light on the button, while others display a prompt on the central control screen. If this switch is turned off, the car's air conditioning can only blow natural or warm air. During winter use of the air conditioning, since most vehicles now come with automatic air conditioning, turning on the air conditioning may automatically activate the AC function. The reason for this is: if the driver sets the air outlet direction to the front windshield, the defrost function will be activated, and the automatic air conditioning system will automatically turn on the AC switch. This is a normal phenomenon, as this design allows for the quickest removal of fog using cold air.
Should you turn on the AC when using the heater in winter? I think it depends. During my daily commute in sub-zero temperatures, the first thing I do is turn on the heater. The AC is for cooling, which is unnecessary in winter because simply raising the temperature delivers heat from the engine's waste heat, with the compressor inactive, saving some fuel. However, occasional window fogging can be annoying. I've tried using just the heater without AC, and the fog clears slowly; turning on the AC for a few minutes helps absorb moisture and dehumidify, clearing it up instantly. Older cars fog up more easily, so using the AC more often is fine; modern cars often have automatic defogging, making AC less critical. In short, no need for AC when heating, only turn it on if fogging occurs—don't overthink it.
