The compressor and the heating tube are two components with completely different functions, and they play a core role in the cooling and heating systems. Their “cooperative operation” is mainly manifested in the heat pump system of air conditioners.
To ensure a thorough understanding, we will explain in two modes: cooling mode and heating mode.
Core concept: Heat pump technology
First and foremost, the most crucial point is that an air conditioner (heat pump type) is not merely a “refrigerator” or an “electric heater”, but rather a heat transporter.
The compressor is the “heart” of this transportation system.
The refrigerant is the “truck” used for transporting heat.
The heating tubes (typically referring to PTC electric auxiliary heating or resistance wire) are an independent “backup generator”, which directly generates heat when the “truck” has insufficient transportation capacity.
Mode 1: Cooling Mode (Summer)
In this mode, only the compressor operates while the heating tube does not.
1. The function of the compressor:
The compressor sucks in the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant and compresses it into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas.
This high-temperature and high-pressure gas is pumped into the condenser of the outdoor unit (which functions as a radiator at this time), and is cooled by the fan to the outdoor air. The refrigerant then condenses into a medium-temperature and high-pressure liquid.
After passing through the throttling device (capillary tube or electronic expansion valve), the liquid becomes a fog-like liquid at low temperature and low pressure, and enters the evaporator of the indoor unit.
In the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the indoor air and evaporates, turning into a low-temperature and low-pressure gas, which returns to the compressor to complete a cycle.
Summary: In the cooling mode, the compressor drives the refrigerant to “transport” the indoor heat to the outside, thereby lowering the indoor temperature.
2. Status of the heating tube:
Completely closed. In the cooling mode, the system’s objective is to lower the temperature. There is no reason for the heating tube to be activated.
Mode 2: Heating Mode (Winter)
In this mode, the compressor and the heating tube may work together. This is the key to understanding their relationship.
Phase 1: Primarily relies on the compressor (for heating using a heat pump)
This is the most energy-efficient and highly effective method for heating.
Post time: Oct-28-2025