Eli5: If I get in a cold car and want the temperature inside to be 71, so I set it for 71 or set it higher until I am uncomfortable?

Question

What is the fastest way to heat the inside of a car or room. Set the heater to desired temperature or initially set it higher than wanted?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Well, in a house, the heater kicks on full blast and then turns off when the thermostat senses that it’s acheived the desired temperature, so setting your thermostat hotter won’t make it get warm quicker.

As for a car, however, I’m not positive, but I believe that your temperature knob usually controls the voltage going to the heating element, therefore THEORETICALLY turning it all the way up can help get hot quicker. Maybe someone else can fact check me on that one.

Edit: Spelling