[Mikeinohio]

Does anyone understand the way the HVAC system works? Does the Insight have a heat pump or does it heat and cool the cabin like a conventional car? Let me ask it another way... Does the heater work off hot engine coolant or does the heater have electric heating elements? Does AC compressor run off the engine or is it electrically driven?

 

[Wolverine51]

Here's a subject that really deserves a learned reply. Someone please start a discussion on this. I've been assuming that the gas engine is doing all the heavy lifting.

 

[insightfully]

Per the "Climate Control Systems" section of the 2019 Insight Press Kit, "the air conditioning compressor is electrically driven to provide consistent climate control performance even when the engine is not operating."

 

[hasarad]

A/C is total electric. Heat uses engine coolant (non-electric). I have found I take much more of an MPG hit with heat than I did with A/C.

 

[Wolverine51]

If you remote start the power does the A/C get its electricity from the lithium battery? And then wouldn't the gas engine have to run to keep the lithium battery charged?

 

[hasarad]

If you remote start the power does the A/C get its electricity from the lithium battery? And then wouldn't the gas engine have to run to keep the lithium battery charged?

Electric power needs to come from somewhere. In reality, the ICE powers everything. The A/C is electrically operated, but the engine still needs to keep the batteries charged.

Remote start, if I recall, sets the HVAC system to 72 degrees and employs whatever method (heat or a/c) to get to that point. If battery power exists to run the a/c, the engine will not run until it drops enough to trigger charging. In such cases, you can hear the whirl of the a/c compressor by itself when the ICE is dormant. The same can occur with heat once the engine is warm, but that takes much longer at idle.

 

[Mobilcams]

Also note that the ac does work in conjunction with the heat to keep humidity to a comfortable level inside the cabin (and keep windows from fogging up).

 

[Wolverine51]

Great answers hasarad and mobilcams !! Thank you

 

[pasei]

Do you guys know if the AC is on by default when it's cold outside and AUTO is selected? Let's say it's 40°F outside and I set the cabin temperature to 70°F. Or do I need to select "A/C OFF" every time if I want it off?

I'm also assuming it comes on automatically with the windshield defrost.

 

[andrew28]

Do you guys know if the AC is on by default when it's cold outside and AUTO is selected? Let's say it's 40°F outside and I set the cabin temperature to 70°F. Or do I need to select "A/C OFF" every time if I want it off?

I'm also assuming it comes on automatically with the windshield defrost.

The car should know not to turn on AC under those conditions if you're using Auto.

 

[hasarad]

The compressor only comes on when needed. Turning on the heat when it's cold won't trip it. Defrost might though.

 

[insightfully]

Do you guys know if the AC is on by default when it's cold outside and AUTO is selected? Let's say it's 40°F outside and I set the cabin temperature to 70°F. Or do I need to select "A/C OFF" every time if I want it off?

I'm also assuming it comes on automatically with the windshield defrost.

Defrost will trigger the A/C while in AUTO mode. The A/C button should also light up when it's in use; if its not lit, it's not in use even in AUTO mode.

 

[pasei]

Do you guys know if the AC is on by default when it's cold outside and AUTO is selected? Let's say it's 40°F outside and I set the cabin temperature to 70°F. Or do I need to select "A/C OFF" every time if I want it off?

I'm also assuming it comes on automatically with the windshield defrost.

Defrost will trigger the A/C while in AUTO mode. The A/C button should also light up when it's in use; if its not lit, it's not in use even in AUTO mode.

I dont think my AC button has a light? Maybe touring is different.

 

[insightfully]

I dont think my AC button has a light? Maybe touring is different.

Sorry, I meant "A/C ON" light/text on the display will show when A/C is on/running. When not illuminated, the A/C should not be in use, even in AUTO mode.

 

[pasei]

Sorry, I meant "A/C ON" light/text on the display will show when A/C is on/running. When not illuminated, the A/C should not be in use, even in AUTO mode.

Oh I see thanks! I was getting jealous of the light already haha. I'll pay more attention to the display then. On my previous Mazda and my wife's Focus, the AC comes up when when the knob is at the foot position all the way to the windshield, but the light stays off. I think it's the case in many cars actually (and people don't realize they are losing mpg's on AC). Good thing the Insight is transparent!

 

[andrew28]

Sorry, I meant "A/C ON" light/text on the display will show when A/C is on/running. When not illuminated, the A/C should not be in use, even in AUTO mode.

Maybe I'm not remembering this correctly but I thought you don't see AC on or AC off indicators when Auto is used. For example, if I have the temp set at 70F Auto without outside temp at 95F. The Insight will activate AC and not indicate AC ON since it's in Auto.

 

[insightfully]

Maybe I'm not remembering this correctly but I thought you don't see AC on or AC off indicators when Auto is used. For example, if I have the temp set at 70F Auto without outside temp at 95F. The Insight will activate AC and not indicate AC ON since it's in Auto.

I'm not sure that's correct... even if the climate control is in Auto, I don't think A/C engages unless the button/message is on. A reverse case of this is where we discussed that the defroster can be used without the A/C on (which is a mode I use on all my Hondas, old and new). - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/2...-area/3688-new-touring-owner-3.html#post28312

Right or wrong, I draw analogy to how I understand the climate control on my older Hondas to work...

 

[andrew28]

I'm not sure that's correct... even if the climate control is in Auto, I don't think A/C engages unless the button/message is on. A reverse case of this is where we discussed that the defroster can be used without the A/C on (which is a mode I use on all my Hondas, old and new). - https://www.gen3insight.com/forum/2...-area/3688-new-touring-owner-3.html#post28312

Right or wrong, I draw analogy to how I understand the climate control on my older Hondas to work...

I will see if I remember to post an update here when it gets warm enough to do a test of the Auto AC.

 

[Wifey'sInsight]

I will see if I remember to post an update here when it gets warm enough to do a test of the Auto AC.

Going through my camera roll, I found a day where I had auto 70* set, and it was 78*F outside, there was just 70, and auto on the display, no a/c indicator at all.