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Old 12-13-2008, 01:08 PM   #1 (permalink)
oisiaa
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: United States
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'01 Jeep Cherokee - '01 Jeep Cherokee
90 day: 18.3 mpg (US)

2011 Cruze Eco - '11 Chevy Cruze Eco
90 day: 34.55 mpg (US)
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Does the Heater Waste Gas?

This is a discussion that I had with a coworker a while back. He has a mechanical engineering degree so he should be quite knowledgeable and have a fair bit of common sense and intuition.
The question is weather or not having the heater on burns more fuel. His answer was flat out "no", that it is waste heat and would be lost anyway.
My assessment was that during engine warm up, having the heater turned on would prolong the amount of time that the engine is below operating temperature and therefore increase fuel consumption. Once operating temperature is reached I agree with him that there is no loss in efficiency.
Does anyone here have any insight into this? Thanks.

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