Winter is here! Heat pump comparison tests?

[hajalie24]

Now that cold days are here are there any direct comparisons on how much the heat pump helps with efficiency?

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[Athrun88]

Hasn't gotten terribly cold up here yet, but I do run with the heat on. Currently set at 23C (73F) when I drive my kid to and from school. Travel about 25km (15mi) one way and the truck averages around 3.1km (1.92mi)/kwh with a mix of highway/local speeds at about a 50/50 split for distance. Would be cool to see if there is any tangeble difference between the heat pump vs non heat pump vehicles though I think it may be fairly minimal. Too many variables to keep track of imo.

 

[RickLightning]

Hasn't gotten terribly cold up here yet, but I do run with the heat on. Currently set at 23C (73F) when I drive my kid to and from school. Travel about 25km (15mi) one way and the truck averages around 3.1km (1.92mi)/kwh with a mix of highway/local speeds at about a 50/50 split for distance. Would be cool to see if there is any tangeble difference between the heat pump vs non heat pump vehicles though I think it may be fairly minimal. Too many variables to keep track of imo.

Reality in bold.

The only way this works is a scientific test done by like Consumer Reports, a 2023 vs. a 2024.

 

[WildBlue]

Reality in bold.

The only way this works is a scientific test done by like Consumer Reports, a 2023 vs. a 2024.

What I can say is the heat pump is a bit noisy and has vibrations you can feel in the steering wheel and center console. Mildly annoying.

I had a 2023 XLT ER and I can't say I am seeing much efficiency boost from the heat pump, if anything, right now. Perhaps when it gets colder here.

 

[Hammick]

Maybe the Out of Spec guys will do a range test with a 22 or 23 and a 24 at the same time.

 

[MountainAlive]

What I can say is the heat pump is a bit noisy and has vibrations you can feel in the steering wheel and center console. Mildly annoying.

I had a 2023 XLT ER and I can't say I am seeing much efficiency boost from the heat pump, if anything, right now. Perhaps when it gets colder here.

Second report I’ve read of the heat pump being loud and causing vibration. That would really bug me.

 

[Maineiac12]

Maybe the Out of Spec guys will do a range test with a 22 or 23 and a 24 at the same time.

I was thinking the same thing

 

[Ricks Lightning]

What I can say is the heat pump is a bit noisy and has vibrations you can feel in the steering wheel and center console. Mildly annoying.

I had a 2023 XLT ER and I can't say I am seeing much efficiency boost from the heat pump, if anything, right now. Perhaps when it gets colder here.

Isn't a heat pump the same as the AC but just reversing the flow?

I have a few mini split AC / Heating units in bedrooms. If it wasn't for the digital thermostat, I wouldn't know the difference in sound.

Rick

 

[WildBlue]

Isn't a heat pump the same as the AC but just reversing the flow?

I have a few mini split AC / Heating units in bedrooms. If it wasn't for the digital thermostat, I wouldn't know the difference in sound.

Rick

Theoretically, yes. However, during the hot months, the A/C didn't buzz like this so I am thinking it may be a separate system? I really don't know.

 

[flyin525]

Maybe the Out of Spec guys will do a range test with a 22 or 23 and a 24 at the same time.

or @tommolog

 

[sotek2345]

I had a 2023 XLT ER and I can't say I am seeing much efficiency boost from the heat pump, if anything, right now. Perhaps when it gets colder here.

Opposite actually. The heat pump should provide the most benefit when it is cool, but not cold. The efficiency of the heat pump will drop off the colder it gets.

 

[LHoffmanjr22]

Second report I’ve read of the heat pump being loud and causing vibration. That would really bug me.

This is my first EV, and first experience with a heat pump, but the first time this came on I actually thought something was wrong with the truck. Mine usually causes a little vibration and noise that's noticeable for the first few minutes, but once it warms up in the truck it quiets down. I do also notice noise and vibration with the AC in mine for a few minutes while things get cool, but I guess that wasn't shocking to me because it was similar in my ICE F150 to when the AC was on. I was used to things being a bit noisier I suppose. It really doesn't bother me now that I know what it is.

 

[Albern]

I've had my truck for only a few months (mid-Summer until now) and have only noticed the heat pump recently when pre-conditioning or when providing heat to the cab. While I can hear the heat pump under operation when either standing in front of the truck (especially with frunk open) or inside the cab, it just sounds like an additional fan is on with no vibrations through the steering wheel, cab, or firewall. As someone who has a noise sensitivity and is particular about NVH, the HP isn't a problem for me.

As far as improved efficiency goes, I think what the HP brings to the table is best described as "resiliency". I've driven a 2022 Lariat and more recently my own 2024 Platinum from Toronto to NYC in similar conditions and I was much more efficient in the 2024 with HP.

Case in point, during those trips in similar conditions was the following:
2022 Lariat - ~350Wh/km for the duration of the trip
2024 Platinum - ~301Wh/km for the duration of the trip
(Specific to 2024 with HP - Consumption: 4% Climate | 91% Driving | 3% Accessories | 2% Exterior Temperature)

Both sets of trips occurred in early to mid-October with temperatures just above 0-degrees C to 10-degrees C.

Obviously there are a lot of variable differences here but these are the data points that I have available.

 

[potato]

I think any comparison would have to be done in a highly controlled scientific way. In particular, two trucks would have to be on the exact same road at the exact same time. I say this because wind has a HUGE impact on efficiency at highway speeds. Even a slight breeze (or slight variation in driving speed) could have a much bigger impact than the heat pump.

For the heat pump alone to be saving 5 kWh / 100 km the resistive heater would have to be drawing 5 kW *more* than the heat pump the entire time. Assuming you're driving near 100 km/h. I don't know if the heater runs flat out even if it's -40 C. It certainly wouldn't when it's above zero.

 

[Kev12345]

Maybe the Out of Spec guys will do a range test with a 22 or 23 and a 24 at the same time.

They did a great comparison with model 3. I’d be shocked if they didn’t do the same test with Lightning!

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