Crossword Genius

It cools the car; warms the house (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

radiator

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This clue could be a double definition.

'it cools the car warms' is the first definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'house' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for radiator that I've seen before include "House-warmer; engine-cooler" , "Domestic heat source" , "Room warmer" , "It distributes heat in home, filled with hot water" , "It spreads heat around room or cools engine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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