AC duty cycle or heat blending?
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AntleredRuin
New member
I don't have an accurate comparison, but living in Houston, my AC stays on 95% of the time (even in winter, I just crank the heat up and leave the AC button alone).
Even with AC blasting, I still have a hand calculated 22.9 MPGs full highway, so AC compressor strain must be negligible. Also, my compressor has had a slight knock for the past 80k miles (i'm assuming bad bearing) so it can't be running too efficiently, and I still managed that MPG.
Results may vary, especially depending on altitude where the air is thinner. I'm 60 feet above sea level here.
Even with AC blasting, I still have a hand calculated 22.9 MPGs full highway, so AC compressor strain must be negligible. Also, my compressor has had a slight knock for the past 80k miles (i'm assuming bad bearing) so it can't be running too efficiently, and I still managed that MPG.
Results may vary, especially depending on altitude where the air is thinner. I'm 60 feet above sea level here.
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nevada
Senior Member
as said, it blends in heat. however the compressor does not run constantly. it will cycle on/off as the pressures hit their marks.
so that means that running the ac on max with blower on power 1 out of 4 will consume less fuel than running the ac on max with blower power on 4 out of 4, correct?
as the blower would put more heat into the heat exchanger and therefore the pressures will drop faster.
Mackalicious
New member
A/C compressor always cycles no matter what temp you set it at and blower speed you set it at. Cycling doesn't cycle for load or gas mileage reasons, just to prevent the evap core from freezing. It uses the pressure switch for that. Only time compressors cut out is when you go ~WOT.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Yes, to some degree. You just don't save energy by turning the heat dial up from full cold towards heat.
-Charlie
