Recently in Hybrid (Gas-Electric) Category

I recently installed an Engine Block Heater (EBH) into my 2008 Prius -- just in time before this artic frigid weather struck New England. The part is a stock Prius Canada part that fits directly into American Prii without modification -- you don't even have to drain the antifreeze or remove an engine block plug like you do in other cars.

The part itself was US$59 from PriusChat Shop and the installation was around $45 (half an hour's labor) at my local dealer, A-1 Toyota of New Haven, CT. I could have done it myself, but I get nervous working underneath a car on jack stands.

Here are some online instructions:

• http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/35035-want-install-engine-block-heater-yourself-guide-may-help.html
  
  
  
  • These are the instructions my mechanic (Mike) followed. They are the simplest and don't require removal of any major engine parts. This allowed him to do it in less than 30 minutes of mechanic time -- the major portion was used in properly routing the power cable up to the front bumper
    
  
  
• http://www.techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/heatgames/pagetwo.html

About two hours of 120 VAC juice brings the engine up to around 30°C which I think is a good break-even point. The engine block heater consumes 400 watts so....... 2 hours = 0.8 kWh @ roughly 22 cents/kWh = 16 cents per "charge."

According to my ScanGauge II, even with $1.70 gasoline, I'm saving around 20 cents on each startup with a faster warm-up using less fossil fuels. As the price of gas goes up again, I'll save more -- and I plan on hooking the EBH up to my (future) garage solar panel system. What's more important to me is:

• Less CO2 emissions for future generations
  
• Less wear and tear on the engine, especially in terms of having to crank up at subzero temps
  
• Warmer cabin as soon as I get in... brrr!
  

Today it's -10°C during the daytime in New Haven CT, brrr!