johnrhansen
Well-known member
I'd be interested to know just how much more efficient the heat pump installed on the premium 2013 leafs are compared to the basic resistance heaters installed in the s type. My recent experience driving in cold weather has shown that the heat wasn't as energy consuming as I thought it would be when I looked at all the other range reducing factors that the cold weather subjects my car to, and actually compared the range with the heater on or off in the same conditions.
Last summer I installed the most efficient 12000 btu mitsubishi mini split heat pump in my home and with this colder weather I was able to measure the power consumption of my new unit. It was drawing 1500 watts. If I calculated it correctly thats only 2.3 times better than resistance heat. This whole experience makes me think the heat pump on the leaf performs similarly, probably worse because it is a mobile unit that can't have as large or as heavy evap and condser coils as a stationary unit can.
looking at amount of power consumed by the traction motor vs the heater and the other factors reducing range in cold weather, I cant imagine having a heat pump would increase your range that much vs the resistance ones.
Last summer I installed the most efficient 12000 btu mitsubishi mini split heat pump in my home and with this colder weather I was able to measure the power consumption of my new unit. It was drawing 1500 watts. If I calculated it correctly thats only 2.3 times better than resistance heat. This whole experience makes me think the heat pump on the leaf performs similarly, probably worse because it is a mobile unit that can't have as large or as heavy evap and condser coils as a stationary unit can.
looking at amount of power consumed by the traction motor vs the heater and the other factors reducing range in cold weather, I cant imagine having a heat pump would increase your range that much vs the resistance ones.