Heating & Air Conditioning

Air conditioning

Most vehicles today have a standard air conditioning system. Whether in your vehicle, home, office (or even your refrigerator) the purpose of A/C is to cool and dehumidify the air.
The vehicle’s air conditioning system removes heat from the cabin and releases it to the outside air through a three-step process that includes pressurization, condensation, and vaporization. The process of vaporization removes moisture and heat from the air in your vehicle, circulating cooler air from the fan.
Important to note is the dehumidifying function. A vehicle’s air conditioning needs to be in working order even when outside temperatures do not require cooling. It dries the air, which is why the A/C system cycles when the defrost option is selected — the air blown onto the windshield is dry, getting rid of fog more quickly. Otherwise, moist air blown onto a cold windshield will cause frost to form on the inside – potentially unsafe.
Lack of refrigerant is the main cause of A/C problems. In the case of refrigerant leaks, the lubricant won’t work properly, which can damage the compressor, the most expensive part of the system.

An air conditioning system is reliable when maintained properly. It should have refrigerant evacuated, filtered, and refreshed with new lubricant on a regular basis. Specialized equipment and training are required for this, as system pressures can be quite high (over 300psi) on the pressurized side (known as the high side) and can be dangerous to the untrained or unqualified.

Heating

In Canadian climates, a malfunctioning heating system is more than an inconvenient comfort issue: it can dramatically compromise your safety on the road. Without heated air to defrost windows and keep drivers comfortable, visibility is obstructed and winter conditions become perilous. When trouble arises with this vital component of any vehicle’s infrastructure, two components should be checked first—the thermostat which controls temperature flow in addition to the heater core responsible for producing hot air that circulates into the cabin's interior.