Press Release

Drivers Underestimate the Advantages of Air Conditioning During Cold Seasons

Schwäbisch Hall, October 2009. It's obvious that air conditioning is required in the summer heat - but in autumn and winter? Many drivers underestimate the advantages of air conditioning during this part of the year. Yet the advantages are obvious - in particular in the damp and cold autumn and winter months, an air-conditioning system ensures that the humidity is drawn out of the air, thus clearing the condensation off windows quickly. When heated with the air conditioning switched on, the air is not only warmed up but also dried out. Many heater control units take this into account and automatically switch on the defrost setting of the air conditioning. Those without an automatic air-conditioning system should manually switch on the cooling system. This will clear the car windscreen very quickly in defrost function. The function is not only convenient; it is also a major safety plus in a season in which visibility conditions are already poor.

In this way, the air-conditioning system fulfils its purpose all year round: in summer, it cools the air, and in autumn and winter it collaborates with the heating system to turn cold air into pleasantly warm air, removing its annoying humidity. Regular operation of the air conditioning also has a positive effect on the lifetime. It prevents refrigerant loss and expensive repairs. Allowing the air conditioning to run for a few minutes a few times every month lubricates the compressor and the seals. "To ensure long-term and perfect functioning of the air-conditioning system, the key components compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion valve should be checked regularly by the garage in an annual air-conditioning check", says Jörg Laukenmann, Head of Marketing at the Behr Hella Service. Since the air-conditioning system works under permanent pressure, its components are exposed to a natural wearing process. Hoses and seals also age, dry out and can then become leaky. This leads to evaporation of the refrigerant and reduced cooling performance. A system check-up and replenishment of the refrigerant quantity can remedy the situation. In addition, it is advisable to have a comprehensive air-conditioning service carried out every two years. During this service, the refrigerant is changed, air-tightness checked and the dryer replaced if necessary.

Behr Hella Service GmbH, Schwäbisch Hall: The joint venture by the automotive suppliers Behr (specialist for vehicle air conditioning and engine cooling) and Hella (specialist for components and systems for lighting technology and electronics) deals with the global independent aftermarket for vehicle air conditioning and engine cooling. The joint venture combines Behr Service activities on the independent aftermarket and the air-conditioning sector of the Hella aftermarket organization. Behr and Hella each have a 50% share in the joint venture. The combination of the global Hella sales organisation with Behr product know-how as well as the links to activities in the vehicle climate control and engine cooling business for the aftermarket has produced Behr Hella Service, a consistent development on previous collaboration between Behr and Hella in climate control and front end modules.

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