How do Climate controls work?

[Mark-E Mark]

If I turn on Auto, both A/C and Heater are illuminated, even when it is 72 degrees outside. Does that mean they are both running at the same time? Am I wasting energy? Should I turn off certain controls off if not needed. I'd be happy with just some outside air ventilation on a nice day like the old car days.

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[Mach-Lee]

Yes, heat and A/C may run at the same time for dehumidification. No that is not wasting energy. Because likely only a tiny amount of heat is being used, probably even waste heat from the motors.

It’s best to just use the AUTO setting and adjust the temperature to your preference, and don’t worry about the rest. The HVAC is optimized to use the least amount of energy to keep the cabin conditioned.

HVAC is also only a small amount of the total energy used in most cases. You would only need to worry about shutting that stuff off if you are running really low on range.

 

[AliRafiee]

AC barely uses any battery power. But Heat is a different story.

 

[rhougey]

If I turn on Auto, both A/C and Heater are illuminated, even when it is 72 degrees outside. Does that mean they are both running at the same time? Am I wasting energy? Should I turn off certain controls off if not needed. I'd be happy with just some outside air ventilation on a nice day like the old car days.

You can avoid using heat or A/C by not using “auto”, and then by selecting the dash vents only and manually adjusting the fan speed to your desired speed. It will be just like old school vents. That’s all I need the vast majority of the time here in California.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Even though both the heat and A/C buttons are highlighted, they’re systems that are automatically controlled by the car’s HVAC module. If one or the other is not highlighted, the car cannot activate the one with the dimmed button. The vast majority of the time the car will be using one or the other. There will be times when the car will cycle both on in order to handle humidity or for other reasons. These are normal transient events.

 

[Space_Pony]

You can avoid using heat or A/C by not using “auto”, and then by selecting the dash vents only and manually adjusting the fan speed to your desired speed. It will be just like old school vents. That’s all I need the vast majority of the time here in California.

Most people do not live in your environment and would need to be making constant adjustments using your strategy. Ford wisely made an auto mode for people with a changing environment. We had 72f and tornados yesterday and 35f and snow today.

 

[rhougey]

Most people do not live in your environment and would need to be making constant adjustments using your strategy. Ford wisely made an auto mode for people with a changing environment. We had 72f and tornados yesterday and 35f and snow today.

The OP wanted to sometimes just have outside air and didn’t know how. I simply told him how. I sometimes use heat if it’s below 45 and sometimes use A/C when it’s over 85. Heat and A/C have their place.

 

[kamorela]

<snip> We had 72f and tornados yesterday and 35f and snow today.

Note to self: don't ever move to Indiana. (jk)

 

[Bad Dolphin]

You can avoid using heat or A/C by not using “auto”, and then by selecting the dash vents only and manually adjusting the fan speed to your desired speed. It will be just like old school vents. That’s all I need the vast majority of the time here in California.

That's what we do here in Maui, too, in the mornings and evenings when we don't need AC.

Looking at OP's image, if you turn off Auto and AC buttons you at the bottom of the top level screen and on the displayed climate screen touch the middle of the three icons--the one with the arrow pointing to the icon's torso--that turns on the vents. And as stated, the fan will then control the air volume.

You can further adjust the air volume on each individual vent, too.

 

[devmach-e]

I leave it in Auto mode and set a temperature that gives me the desired airflow on my face. I don't try to micromanage whether it is using heat, AC, or vent-only. I (mostly) trust the system to do the right thing and not use power needlessly for HVAC.

 

[AtomicInternet]

Personally, I leave HEAT off unless I need it. I'm sure the computer will pick from whatever it needs without causing excess energy drain, but I like knowing I'm not adding any heat unless I want it.

 

[AliRafiee]

Personally, I leave HEAT off unless I need it. I'm sure the computer will pick from whatever it needs without causing excess energy drain, but I like knowing I'm not adding any heat unless I want it.

Does the e-heat stay off? Most people complain that it comes back on after they turn it off. I don’t know first hand because I let the car do its thing.

 

[AtomicInternet]

Does the e-heat stay off? Most people complain that it comes back on after they turn it off. I don’t know first hand because I let the car do its thing.

Oh yeah it def comes back on at some point. Less often than the recycle air turns off though. That's my road trip game, pressing the heat and recycle air buttons lol.

 

[rhougey]

Does the e-heat stay off? Most people complain that it comes back on after they turn it off. I don’t know first hand because I let the car do its thing.

Mine’s a 2021. In the first year I had a constant problem with the e-heat turning itself back on. But after 3 warranty visits, the dealer fixed the problem with some sort of an update. It doesn’t happen anymore.

 

[Sawdusty]

One problem I've had with this car that I don't recall having with other cars that had an auto climate system is that when it's sunny but cool outside (say, mid 40s Fahrenheit), if I get in the car in the afternoon and it's very warm from the sun- say 75-85- the AC will come on. Temp is set to around 69 or 70 usually. I understand it thinks it's cooling off the interior, but it's cold out so I don't want cold air blasting out of the vents at me. I end up turning the temp up to maybe 75, then gradually lowering the temp setting as the car gradually cools. Kind of annoying.

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