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by tw04 1851 days ago
Because the button is connected to a relay that turns the AC compressor on or off. The compressor actually draws quite a bit of power.

The hot/cold adjustment is adjusting a baffle/mixer that can either let in "cold" outside air, or air that's been heated by the engine compartment into the car. Think of it like driving around on a sunny day in the fall - sun is heating up the inside of the car, but the outside air is cold enough it would be silly and a waste of gas to turn on the A/C compressor.