In a vehicle air conditioner, a non-contact temperature sensor is used as an
inside
air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in a passenger compartment.
Based on infrared rays radiated from a predetermined area of the passenger compartment,
the non-contact temperature sensor detects a surface temperature in the predetermined
area in non-contact. Therefore, it is not necessary to blow air from the passenger
compartment to the inside air temperature sensor in order to detect the temperature
in the passenger compartment. Thus, energy consumption can be reduced while the
temperature in the passenger compartment can be accurately detected. Accordingly,
while the vehicle stops, the vehicle air conditioner can accurately determine whether
air conditioning control by an air conditioning unit needs be started while energy
consumption can be reduced.