Climate control: how is it different from an air conditioner? What is the difference?

Comfortable car interior is, probably, one of the main factors on which motorists choose their car. But even the most luxurious salon, the most comfortable chairs and excellent ergonomics can not bring pleasure, if it's hot inside or, on the contrary, it's too cold. For this reason, engineers designed and equipped cars with air conditioning and systems that would cool the air in the summer, and in winter it was heated. Now motorists are increasingly faced with a choice: air conditioning or climate control. What is the difference?

History

But in the beginning there were only air-conditioners. The first car, which was equipped with air conditioning, was developed in 1940. Naturally, it was still very far from the decisions that are being applied today. Modern air conditioners began to appear only after 13 years. But then it was considered a real technical breakthrough. And even more - the installation of air conditioning in Chrysler Imperial in 1953 gave its fruits - launched a whole industry of car air conditioners. Thanks to this subsequently appeared more functional climate systems. Today you can meet cars in different trim levels - somewhere there is an air conditioner, and somewhere - a climate system. Let's try to figure out how the climate control differs from the air conditioner, and also we learn about the device of the climatic equipment.

Definition of concepts: air conditioning and climate control

If you try to talk briefly about the difference between an air conditioner and a climate system, the first thing to say is that these are completely different terms that many people often confuse and do not know if there are differences in climate control and air conditioning in the car. And in this confusion there is nothing surprising - both solutions have similarities and solve similar problems. These systems are designed to maintain a comfortable temperature in the cabin. But I must say that air conditioners appeared much earlier. So let's start with them.

Car air conditioning

Almost every one of us has a split system on the wall. However, auto-air conditioning significantly differs from household equipment. The device is powered not by electricity, but by turning the crankshaft by means of a belt transmission. Air conditioners are designed only for cooling air in the cabin. In summer, to adjust the intensity of the operation of this device, it is necessary to change the fan speed. The faster the fan rotates, the sooner the air becomes comfortable. If it is necessary to heat the air, then the stove is started, and warm air is accelerated through the cabin with the help of the same fan. It should also be noted that when the air conditioner works, it first takes the air, then dries, and only then the flow will be heated or cooled. Control air conditioners in modern cars using mechanical or digital control systems. It all depends on the brand and model of a specific car.

Climate control

Now let's see how the climate control differs from the air conditioner. The first complex is a kind of system that automatically maintains a certain and constant temperature. The temperature regime is set by means of various electronic systems. Due to electronics and sensors, the efficiency of the auto-conditioner, heater, ventilation system is regulated.

The device of climate control

So, we have climate control. What is different from the air conditioner it? At least in that the climate system consists of several blocks. It is a control element that controls humidity and temperature with the help of sensors. There are even some models of climate equipment, where other parameters are taken into account. This is solar radiation, the temperature is overboard, but often it is not necessary. In addition to the control unit, there are no other serious differences. But it is thanks to the electronic unit that the ride becomes comfortable. Many like climate control. What is different from the air conditioner? Yes, the fact that there is no need to be distracted from the control for the regulation of stoves and air conditioners. Also, with the help of electronics, the climate system automatically regulates the temperature and humidity, it can still move the air dams independently and choose such directions that the driver or passengers do not catch cold. Air conditioners are not equipped with this function. This is how the air conditioner differs from climate control. What's better? Definitely the second option. He will not catch a cold and get sick.

The need for an electronic control unit

The control unit receives information that comes from the sensors inside and outside the machine. Further, he performs the analysis of the desired environment and, based on these data, calculates what needs to be done in order to satisfy the driver. Due to a full-fledged analysis, climate control is much better than an air conditioner. At the same time, it is possible to reduce fuel consumption - from how much it is necessary to cool or heat, the amount of energy consumed depends also. If you properly set up the air conditioning system and the stove, and the intensity of this equipment will be minimal, then the consumption can be reduced quite significantly.

How to operate the air conditioner and climate control

The first is managed only by hand. On the central console or dashboard there are special controls with a "snowflake", which is also indicated by the icon "A / C". You have to manage only with these buttons. But what if there is climate control in the car? What is different from the air conditioner? First, complex management. However, it can not be said that the management process is very complicated. On modern cars with a climate there is a button - Auto. This button also starts the climate system. After the control unit starts, the system will begin to analyze the information from the sensors and make a decision - to cool or heat the air in the passenger compartment. Naturally, we can not say that on all cars the system works that way. But in general terms everything converges.

Types of climate control systems

Depending on the technical characteristics of the system, it can create a different temperature in several areas of the car. This is helped by the sensors already familiar to us. There are one-, two-, three- and four-zone solutions. For example, we have dual-zone climate control. What is different from the air conditioner? He at the same time can create two separate microclimate in different parts of the cabin. So, usually one is near the driver, and the other - near the passenger.

The work of the climate system in the winter season

Depending on the model and brand of the car, the type of its configuration, and even the climatic system itself, the algorithm of operation may be different. Most often, these differences can be seen only in winter - for example, during the warming up of the car in the morning the control unit will automatically move the deflectors first to the glasses, then the air stream will smoothly fall to the feet. At the end, the heated air will go towards the driver's face. In this state, driving is much more comfortable. Knowing what climate control is, the principle of operation and the basic mechanisms, one must also remember that in each machine these algorithms can be individual. The thing is that in some systems the heating can be performed differently. In addition, some complexes can be configured, and others do not allow making any settings. And even more - individual systems automatically turn off the air conditioner in the event that the glass fogged from the inside.

How not to get sick under auto-conditioner

Climate control and air conditioning in the cabin - this is not a guarantee that the cabin will be as comfortable as possible. It is necessary to be able to correctly use these systems, so that the temperature is comfortable, but no more. If it is too low, and overboard is very hot, there is a huge chance of catching a cold. To avoid this, it is necessary to abandon the low temperature regimes. To not get sick, the temperature should be set 5 degrees lower than on the street. On long trips it can be reduced, but this is done gradually every 2 hours. Then the temperature regime will be as comfortable as possible, and the risk of a cold will be reduced to a minimum. In winter, climate control is set so that the cabin was not hot. Going out, there is a serious risk of getting sick. Often climatic systems expose to marks of 22-26 degrees in the winter. Which is better: climate control or air conditioning for a car in the winter? Unequivocally the climate, because the driver will not constantly engage in temperature regulation and be distracted from the road.

About shortcomings

Obviously, the climate system is more convenient to operate. With a one-time setting, it immediately provides the maximum level of comfort for long months. But is it really that good? Automation with all the advantages has disadvantages that can seriously affect the choice, and a person will choose a conventional air conditioner. The first negative is the price. It is much higher if the car is equipped with a climate. But when people want more comfort for themselves, then the manufacturer can make money on it. The second drawback is low reliability and low maintainability. Climatic equipment consists of a variety of electronic devices. Take, for example, an electronic unit that a conventional air conditioner does not have - it sometimes breaks down, and the efficiency of the whole complex depends on its behavior.

Verdict

Climate control or air conditioning - which is better? If viewed from the point of view of convenience, climate is unequivocal. But if you have a priority in reliability and a limited budget, it is better to give preference to an air conditioner.