Car Heating

Heating & Air Conditioning

Your car’s engine provides both heating and air conditioning.  The heating and A/C systems also share other components.

Heating System

Heat is created by the engine’s combustion process. The heat is absorbed by the coolant. The coolant is then circulated through the heater core located behind your dashboard 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 helps you to get the desired temperature and direct the flow of warm air.

Air Conditioning System

This system shares the same 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:

Compressor

This is a pump that pressurizes and circulates the refrigerant through the system.

Condenser

As the refrigerant flows through the condenser, it gives up heat and converts from gas to liquid.

Receiver/Dryer or Accumulator

This is where clean, dry refrigerant is stored as it circulates through the system.

Orifice Tube or Expansion Valve

This is a metering device that controls the flow of refrigerant through the system.

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.