What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?

It might be worth investing in a new unit if your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best option for your home.

Most cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, however some, called propane or gas-powered air conditioners, use natural gas to fuel furnaces and operate condensers in a split system.

Evaporator

An Evaporator coil is the component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is in a box that is attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler in the absence of. The evaporator is where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat in your home’s air.

The evaporator is made up of a few copper coils which are tightly packed. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils at low pressure, making it easier for it to transfer heat when it evaporates into gaseous state.

A fan blows your home’s warm indoor air over the coil of the evaporator. The air is then cooled as heat is removed from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air then moves through your home’s ductwork to every room which is where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system through return ducts.

Unlike the compressor, which requires to produce refrigerant gas at extremely high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator needs to raise its boiling point to a low temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help it in achieving this goal.

The metering device in the evaporator helps to ensure that the refrigerant has the same amount of liquid in it. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators, noncased and cased. A cased evaporator will be the one you’re most likely to find in your home because it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar but it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.

Both evaporators have the same purpose, however it’s crucial to select a model that can meet your home’s specific needs. Certain models are better suited for extreme environments, whereas others might be more appropriate for more moderate conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you time, money and effort.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three main components of your air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans that work to remove the heat from the refrigerant which was transported from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted helps the refrigerant to cool down and transform back to a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been taken from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action increases the temperature, which is passed into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. After the cooling cycle the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is pressed again prior to being pumped to the evaporator coil where the process begins all over again.

Since the condenser is outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles too can be thrown into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.

Beware of shading the condenser. This can impede air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This could result in more expensive energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working efficiently. Regularly having a professional technician check the major components of your HVAC system will aid in preventing major issues. Additionally, having an expert service team examine your refrigerant levels frequently can help prevent any problems from developing. Follow these simple steps to prolong the life of your heating/cooling system and cut down on energy costs.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, which keeps everything cool. It is like the blood that flows through your body as it pumps the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the evaporator and condenser from performing their jobs and will make your home uncomfortably warm.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for instance, has a piston moving upwards and downwards in the piston. This creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downward it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to release the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that aids the piston to compress air. A Rotary compressor, on other hand, has blades inside the cylinder that help to compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, making it a popular option for homes.

The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to raise temperatures of the liquid when it is compressed. This results in the formation of a high-temperature, high pressure vapor. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances down to lower-temperature substances and the hot vapor will move to the evaporator before returning to its liquid state.

You can prevent most AC problems by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for many years, and will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home is always in good condition. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair option if you have a compressor issue.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it decides the time and frequency at which the system turns on and off. It compares the temperature of the air to a set desired temperature. If it is off by a few degrees the thermostat will send an electronic signal that changes it closer to the desired temperature. Most modern thermostats use a digital sensor called the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two metals which expand differently when heated and cause the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature it was set to it sends a signal to the circuit board that your heating or AC should be turned on.

The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at specific times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to set them manually each day. In addition, they provide information on energy usage so that you can figure out how to cut down on costs.

If you have an old electromechanical model, it’s somewhat more complicated. It is made up of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial using mercury. If the temperature changes the mercury in the vial moves, either complete or breaking a circuit. When the vial tipping the thermostat, it activates the cooling and heating system.

To keep your thermostat in good working condition You must clean it regularly to remove any dust that has accumulated. You should also make sure that it is not loose or bent. In some cases the thermostat’s readings may be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. If that is the situation, you’ll need to call a professional to fix it for you. If the problem is something else, such as a blank screen, you can try changing the batteries or making sure that your breaker hasn’t been tripped. This is a great example of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and optimizing its use.