Heating & Air Conditioning —
what happens when you turn it on
Your car's engine is
the power source for both heating and air conditioning systems.
The systems also share other components, as the following diagram
shows. Here's what happens when you flip on the heat or the air
conditioner:
| |
1
|
Heating
System
Heat is a byproduct of the engine's combustion process.
The heat is absorbed by the coolant in your car's
radiator. The coolant is then circulated through the
heater core before returning to the radiator. The heating
system also includes a series of air ducts, a blower motor
and fan, and temperature and duct controls, which selct
the desired temperature and direct the flow of warm air. |
 |
Air
Conditioning System
This system shares air ducts, controls and a blower with
the heater, but has its own refrigerant system. The air
conditioning system is comprised of the following
components:
|
|
2
|
Compressor
This is a pump that pressurizes and circulates
the refrigerant through the system. |
| |
3
|
Condensor
As the refrigerant flows through the condensor,
it gives up heat and converts from gas to liquid. |
| |
4
|
Receiver/Dryer
or Accumulator
This is where clean, dry refrigerant is stored
as it circulates through the system. |
| |
5
|
Orifice
Tube or Expansion Valve
This is a metering device that controls the
flow of refrigerant through the system.
|
| |
6
|
Evaporator Core
Refrigerant enters the evaporator core as a
liquid. Heat from the air converts the liquid refrigerant
back into a gas, which cools the air before it enters you
car. |
|
