Why does turning on the AC in winter still produce heat?
2 Answers
The reason why turning on the AC in winter still produces heat is: some car models have an automatic air conditioning function. When the automatic air conditioning is turned on in winter, the AC button will also be activated. However, at this time, the role of the AC is not to cool but to achieve a dehumidifying effect. The vehicle uses warm air for dehumidification, so when the AC is turned on in winter, the air blown out will still be warm. The functions of car air conditioning are: 1. Using the continuous phase change cycle of refrigerant to achieve a cooling effect; 2. Removing dust, odors, smoke, and toxic gases from the air inside the car to freshen the air, and humidifying the air inside the car to increase the relative humidity.
It makes technical sense to turn on the air conditioning in winter and still feel warm. When the AC button is pressed in a car, the compressor activates to dehumidify, drying the air to prevent window fogging, which is particularly useful in cold weather. However, the heating system is also working at this time, with heat coming from the engine coolant. If the temperature setting is high, warm air will mix with the dehumidified air and be output. Automatic air conditioning systems intelligently control fan speed and temperature, prioritizing safety and comfort; manual knobs make it easier to achieve a mixed effect. This is how the system is designed—it's not a malfunction. Simply adjusting the temperature setting lower can achieve a balance. Remember to maintain the air conditioning filter in cold weather to avoid blockages and improve efficiency.
