craneplaneguy
10 kW
I just bought a small electric heater, how small? Would you believe 250 watts?! Walmart, $10.00! It's like a miniature regular electric space heater, UL rated, with a tip over switch and everything. I always thought most small electric heaters were 750-1500 watts, and didn't know anyone made them this tiny, and so inexpensive. My usage will be when I park the PluginPrius in my unheated garage and I know it's going to be well below freezing. On the drivers floor right under the steering wheel.
One drawback to a very efficient car is less waste heat to get things comfortable, and since I have a surplus of free energy (over 10,000 KWH right now shown as a credit on my latest utility bill, due to a large grid tie system) I will probably just leave it on all night, assuming I have an early morning departure planned. Yes I have heated seats, and they really help while the ICE warms up enough to put out heat, but everything else is ice cold. I need to find ways to burn up some of my surplus power anyway, and getting into a warm cabin first thing seems like a good way to do it. It will be interesting to see how 250 watts deals with the heat loss of a car interior, for some reason I'm thinking it will be adequate.
[moderator edit to fix title]
One drawback to a very efficient car is less waste heat to get things comfortable, and since I have a surplus of free energy (over 10,000 KWH right now shown as a credit on my latest utility bill, due to a large grid tie system) I will probably just leave it on all night, assuming I have an early morning departure planned. Yes I have heated seats, and they really help while the ICE warms up enough to put out heat, but everything else is ice cold. I need to find ways to burn up some of my surplus power anyway, and getting into a warm cabin first thing seems like a good way to do it. It will be interesting to see how 250 watts deals with the heat loss of a car interior, for some reason I'm thinking it will be adequate.
[moderator edit to fix title]