How does the heat work in a Chevy Volt?

The Chevy Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that uses both an electric motor and a gasoline engine to power the vehicle. The heat in a Chevy Volt is generated through a combination of the electric motor, the gasoline engine, and a dedicated heating system.

Electric Motor Heating

The Chevy Volt's electric motor generates heat as a byproduct of its operation. This heat is captured and used to warm the cabin of the vehicle. The electric motor's heat is circulated through a coolant system and then distributed throughout the cabin using the vehicle's HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system.

Gasoline Engine Heating

When the Chevy Volt's gasoline engine is running, it also generates heat that can be used to warm the cabin. The engine's coolant system circulates the heat from the engine to the HVAC system, which then distributes the warm air throughout the cabin.

Dedicated Heating System

In addition to the heat generated by the electric motor and gasoline engine, the Chevy Volt also has a dedicated heating system that can be used to supplement the cabin heating. This system uses an electric heater to generate additional heat, which is then circulated through the HVAC system.

Heating Modes

The Chevy Volt has several heating modes that the driver can select from, depending on their needs and the current driving conditions:

• Electric-only Heating: When the Volt is operating in all-electric mode, the cabin is heated using only the heat generated by the electric motor.


• Hybrid Heating: When the gasoline engine is running, the heat from both the electric motor and the engine is used to warm the cabin.


• Supplemental Heating: The dedicated electric heater can be used to provide additional heating when the electric motor and gasoline engine are not generating enough heat to keep the cabin warm.

The Chevy Volt's heating system is designed to provide efficient and effective cabin heating, regardless of the driving mode or environmental conditions.

How do electric cars provide heat in winter?

To warm up an electric car in the winter, precondition the cabin and battery while the car is still plugged in to use grid power instead of the car's battery. You can schedule this using the mobile app or the car's infotainment system, or you can do it manually before you unplug. Other methods to conserve range include using seat and steering wheel warmers, keeping the car in a garage, and inflating tires to the proper pressure.
 
This video demonstrates how to precondition your EV using the mobile app to warm up the cabin and battery: 56sDave Takes It OnYouTube · Nov 21, 2024
Precondition the car

• While plugged in: Connect your EV to a charger and use the car's mobile app or infotainment system to set a departure time. The car will automatically precondition the cabin and warm up the battery using power from the grid. This is the most energy-efficient method and ensures a full battery for driving. 
• Remote start: Use the mobile app to turn on the climate control remotely before you leave. This is helpful if you can't schedule it in advance, but it is most effective when the car is plugged in. 
• On the go: If you are heading to a public fast-charging station, enter the destination into your car's navigation system to pre-condition the battery en route. This warms up the battery so it can accept a charge more quickly upon arrival. 

Save energy while driving

• Use heated seats and steering wheel: These use less energy than heating the entire cabin, even with a heat pump. 
• Use seat warmers instead of the cabin heater: This is a more efficient way to warm up passengers compared to using the main cabin heater. 
• Drive efficiently: Avoid hard acceleration and braking, which can drain the battery faster. Many EVs have an "eco" or economy mode that helps increase efficiency. 

Other tips

• Park in a garage: If possible, park your car in a garage or covered area to keep it warmer and reduce the energy needed to preheat it. 
• Check tire pressure: Cold temperatures can reduce tire pressure, which can decrease your EV's efficiency. Check the pressure and inflate to the recommended level found on a sticker inside the driver's door. 

Why is my heat on but not blowing heat?

A furnace blowing cold air could be due to several reasons, including a temporary hold-up in heating (common at the start of a cycle), issues with the gas supply, a malfunctioning pilot light in gas furnaces, or problems with the thermostat setting.

Why is the heat not working on my Chevy Volt?

A Chevy Volt's heat might not work due to low coolant, a clogged heater core, or issues with the heating system's electrical components, such as a faulty electric coolant pump or a failed heater control module. A clogged heater core, trapped air in the coolant system, or a malfunctioning thermostat are also common culprits. 
Common causes
This video explains how to diagnose a bad heater coolant pump in a Chevy Volt: 1m1D10CRACYYouTube · Feb 8, 2020

• Low coolant: Insufficient coolant means there isn't enough fluid to circulate and heat the cabin. This can be caused by leaks or evaporation. 
• Clogged heater core: Debris can build up and block the flow of coolant through the heater core, preventing it from heating the air. 
• Air in the system: Air can get trapped in the complex coolant loops of the Volt, especially in the heater circuit. This requires a specific process, often involving a scan tool, to properly bleed the system and remove the air. 
• Electrical problems:
  • Faulty electric coolant pump: This pump circulates coolant when in electric mode. If it fails, the heater won't work. 
  • Failed heater control module: This high-voltage component is crucial for the heating system. 
  • Malfunctioning thermostat: The thermostat, which regulates coolant flow, can fail, leading to heating issues. Some Volts have a heated thermostat that can cause problems. 
• Coolant issues: Poor-quality coolant or blockages in the coolant system can disrupt heating. 

What to check

• Coolant level: Check all coolant reservoirs, particularly the one for the high-voltage battery, and top off if needed using the correct coolant mix. 
• Cabin air filter: A clogged cabin air filter can restrict airflow, making the heater seem less effective. 
• Thermostat settings: Ensure the temperature and settings are on "Max" and not "Eco" mode. 
• Electrical connections: Check for any obvious signs of damage to electrical components.

You can watch this video to learn about the Chevy Volt's heated thermostat: 1mMr.ElectricYouTube · Jul 31, 2020
If the problem persists

• Air bleed: Since the Volt's system is complicated, the most common solution for air in the system is to have a dealer or mechanic use a scan tool to properly bleed the coolant loops. 
• Professional diagnosis: A mechanic can use a diagnostic scan tool to identify specific faults in the heating system, which is often necessary for a definitive diagnosis. 

How does the Chevy Volt heater work?

Those who aren't as familiar with the heater system on the Volt it uses an electric heater to heat the coolant for cabin heat while in electric mode. It has an electric coolant pump and a valve assembly to switch over to engine heat when the engine is running.