A/C system heat pump option? with element as back heat?

[Moreboost]

Just wondering if this would work out better for heating for lower demands and have the electric element as a backup if needed. This would need a reversing valve on the piping system and software to make this happen.

Thanks for looking

[daryllafferty]

This has been discussed here before in other threads.

One problem with a heat pump is that they are not very efficient at very low temperatures. They are very efficient at moderate temperatures. Perhaps some combination of heat pump and resistive or gas engine heating would be optimal.

[larry4pyro]

The Volt would make a really good platform for a heat pump since it turns on the ICE if it gets really cold, at other times the heat pump could extract enough heat from the outside air to work relatively well.

[Fulgerite]

I believe GM is working on a heat pump for the Spark. I think it would be helpful in some situations. But as others have pointed out... In extreme cold heat pumps just don't cut it. You would still need an auxiliary heat source. This subject does make an argument for a CNG version of the volt... CNG or propane could be used for a small auxiliary heater. In fact... you could use a small tank of propane that runs a very small catalytic heater to heat the car in extreme cold climates. (Just an idea.)