AC & Heat Pumps: Motor Vehicle Solutions

[Jobrag]

On a hot day the AC in my car starts working immediately pumping cool air, on a cold day I have to wait till the cooling system heats up before I get warm air. It would be perfectly possible (with the aid of a couple of solenoid valves) for the AC unit to run as a heat pump providing immediate warmth, why don't motor manufactures fit a system like that? Is it just cost?

 

[dlgoff]

So you don't want to use the heat generated by the engine; just loose it?

 

[russ_watters]

It is a big expense for something only used for 5 min per day.

 

[Averagesupernova]

Yeah it's pretty much the same old story. Anything that is physically possible can be done, but at a cost.

 

[Highspeed]

Simple fix, and it's found in most hybrid cars and some diesels...PTC heater.

 

[johnbbahm]

My son in law in the cold north, uses a remote starter.
Starts his car about 5 min before he gets out of work.
This method also works for cooling the car down in summer.
It does cost some extra fuel, but if it's -20F, it's worth it.
The answer to your original question is Yes it is possible,
but the engine heat is already there, no need to squeeze
your own out of the air.