To Heat or Not to Heat? Ask the Thermostat.

Cory Bowles writes:

"I have a great question for you, one that's been a raging debate in my family for YEARS.  However, living down in sunny Texas, this is probably not a problem you run into much. Anyway, here goes:
 
"When the temperatures are cold (I live in the far-north suburbs of Chicago) and you go out to warm up your car, is it best to let the car run for a few minutes with the heater off so you are just letting the engine warm up? Or, to turn the heater on, so that when the engine does warm up, it starts pumping warm air into the car.   Perhaps down south you do the opposite with the air-conditioning?"

So, you guys really have "raging debates" about this stuff, huh?  Here in Texas, the only thing that generates really heated debates is what camoflage pattern to wear on the next hunting trip.  Not really!!  I'm just kidding.  We don't debate camoflage patterns.  Fashion is, after all, a personal choice.

Turn on the heater or don't turn on the heater.  I'll give you my best take on the subject, but it probably won't end the debate once and for all.  Let's start with how car heaters work.  Once a car engine starts, regardless of the outside weather, it begins to generate heat.  This heat is removed from the engine by circulating water through the engine block and then out to the radiator where the heat is transfered to the outside air.  I admit, this is a simplified description, but for this situation, it works.  In order to help the engine warm up more quickly, the water circulation system is fitted with a temperature sensitive valve called a thermostat.  By remaining closed when water temperatures are cold, this valve prevents water from circulating through the engine block and radiator, allowing the water temperature inside the engine to rise more rapidly. 

So if you turn the heater on when you start the engine, the thermostat will remain closed until the water in the engine block is nice and toasty.  Then the thermostat opens, heated water begins to flow, and the heater starts to warm the car's interior.  Consequently, you are better off turning both the engine and the heater on at the same time.  After all, who wants to sit in a freezing car anyway?  

Here in Texas heat is the problem.  Our solution is to turn the AC on full blast, roll down the windows and drive fast.  I don't know if that's the most effecient way to do it but who cares?  It feels good!

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The global warming does have an effect on every state.