Heating Issue During Fall and Spring

On my US 2021 Kona EV Ultimate, I sometimes encounter an issue getting the heat to turn on.

During the colder months, I am only using heat. The car is always turned off with the heat on (I don't use Auto). When I start the car, it consistently starts producing heat immediately by the time I get about a block from the house.

However, if I start the car when it had been left with the heat/AC off, the heat will not turn on simply by pressing the heat button and turning up the temp button. I seem to have to press Auto or AC and eventually it will produce heat but not quickly.

I rarely use Auto and prefer to just use the buttons for Heat, AC, or Off. I don't understand why it seems to get confused sometimes and won't simply start producing heat whenever I press Heat and turn up the temp.

This becomes an issue in the fall and spring when I might have not been using heat during the day, but then get in the car after dark and want some heat.