Posted on 01/08/2011 8:20:04 PM PST by cunning_fish
“Make sure you aren’t closing the outside vents and you shouldn’t have any frost. Even when it’s below zero, I don’t have any issue with fogging up as long as the heater fan isn’t set to recirculate the inside air.”
Depends on the vehicle. Some are better than others at handling the cold. Also depends on the conditions. If it is first thing in the morning and I just got done with a hot steaming shower I am going to be putting out a lot of moisture due to body heat and etc. That can quickly cover the windows inside with condensation. That is why we have defrosters that use heat. But there isn’t any heat from a cold engine.
The real point is I don’t need some damn greenie to come along with another damn restriction on my freedom to make the choices I deem necessary to run my own damn life.
But I’ve only been driving in Upstate NY Winters for thirty some odd years. What the hell would I know?
Energy is not just a function of power being consumed it is also a function of how long that power is consumed. Energy = Power x Time. Yes...A running engine uses more instantaneous power than a typical block heater. But you cannot stop there. As I made the point in my post the block heater is running for hours, and the engine for only 10 minutes. Because a block heater is so slow to warm, much of the available heat escapes into the outside air during that long length of time. Do not forget that all that friction you talk about causes heat. Which is exactly what we are looking for in this case.
Kind of like saying that incandescent light bulbs waist energy. But if you are experiencing a climate that you require heat in your home then that energy is not being wasted at all during that time.
Ah yes. What you mention is a good and practical use of a block heater. I did not mean to imply that block heaters have no good purpose. However, using them is costly to the wallet. Yet sometimes necessary. This article tries to make them something they are not... IMHO- More efficient at heating a car than the engine.
Don't you DARE get caught warming up your car at ski resorts in New Hampshire...it is against the law.
horrifying. I never going to idle again. In fact, I am selling the cars so I won't even be tempted.
I'll bet the obamites would be willing to put the idlers in gitmo. terrorists get a pass. gitmo for idlers and those who refuse to buy obamasurance.
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