It does seem like a waste.
Recently driving to Okteenerfest at about 11pm thru the mtns of GA. If I was cold, I would reach down and pull the lever up. When I got hot, I would reach down and push the lever down.
I could keep my eyes on the road that way.
If I was cold and the lever was up, I would have to re-direct the warm air via the dash levers, they are poorly back-lit, so again, I had to feel around.
Now that is the way to drive, not all these LCD screens with tiny lettering on them. Just good ole levers.