Ah, the sweet relief of stepping into a warm car on a chilly morning or the cool embrace of air conditioning on a sweltering summer day. These are the modern comforts that we often take for granted, until, of course, they stop working. 

Have you ever wondered what wizardry lies behind the push of a button that magically adjusts the temperature to your liking? We can say that it is certainly not magic, but you will have to stick to the article for the full answer.

The Heating System

Imagine yourself on a chilly day, the world outside is a frosty spectacle, and yet, within the confines of your car, it's as cozy as a snug cottage by the fire. This comfort is courtesy of your car's heating system, which operates on the principles of heat exchange. At the heart of this system is the engine's coolant. As your engine runs, it generates heat, and some of this thermal energy is absorbed by the coolant circulating through the engine block.

This hot coolant then flows through a mini-radiator known as the heater core located inside your dashboard. When you turn on your heater, a fan blows air over this core. The air absorbs the heat from the coolant and wafts into your cabin, wrapping you in warmth. It's like having a little dragon under your hood, sharing its fiery breath with you!

The A/C System

But what about those days when the sun beats down with relentless fury? That's when your car's air conditioning comes to the rescue. Your A/C system is essentially a refrigerator for your car – only instead of keeping milk cold, it keeps you from melting into your seat. 

The process begins with a high-pressure gas called refrigerant. When you hit that A/C button, the refrigerant compresses and heats up even more – strange as it sounds to get colder by first getting hotter.

This hot compressed gas then flows through coils allowing outside air to dissipate the heat, turning it into a high-pressure liquid. This liquid makes its way to an expansion valve, which releases pressure and cools it down rapidly – much like when you open a can of compressed air and it feels cold. The cool low-pressure liquid passes through another set of coils (the evaporator), where cabin air is blown over it. The refrigerant absorbs heat from this air, and voilà! Cold air is pumped back into your cabin.

Balance Between Both

Now, here's where it gets even more interesting – these two systems are not completely separate entities; they can work together harmoniously for your comfort. On those days when humidity is high, or when your windshield fogs up in winter, both systems activate to clear up that fog while maintaining a comfortable temperature.

Understanding how these systems work not only satiates curiosity but also makes us more empathetic towards our trusty four-wheeled companions that keep us comfortable no matter what Mother Nature throws our way.

If you want to get your A/C checked or services, make sure to give us a call at One Stop Auto Care, and we will be happy to book you for a visit!