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

It could be worthwhile to invest in a new unit if your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC professional can help you select the right option for your needs.

Most cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, however some, such as propane or gas-powered air conditioners, utilize natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers in split systems.

Evaporator

An Evaporator coil is the component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a box that is attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, in the event that you don’t have. The evaporator is the place where refrigerant transforms into a liquid and then absorbs heat in your home’s air.

The evaporator is comprised of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant has a low pressure when it gets to the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows warm air that is escaping your home over the evaporator coil. The air is then cooled through the removal of heat from the evaporator which changes the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then moved through your home’s ductwork system to each room, where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system via return ducts.

In contrast to the compressor, which has to make the refrigerant gas at high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator only has to raise its boiling point to a lower temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help achieve this objective.

The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at a constant level. The low-side float is designed to be open when there’s 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 is one you’ll likely to see in your home because it is enclosed inside the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same however it doesn’t come with the outer shell that protects it.

While both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s important to choose a model that’s capable of meeting your home’s unique requirements. For example, some models are better suited to harsher working environments, while others are better suited to milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you money, time and effort.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three major components of the air conditioning system in your home which helps to keep it running efficiently. It is located outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to several metal fins and fans which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transported from the evaporator. The heat that is removed allows the refrigerant to cool down and transform back to a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeeze action increases the temperature, which is then carried into the condenser to absorb latent heat in the air. After the cooling cycle is complete the refrigerant is introduced into the compressor, where it will be pressurized prior to being pumped back to the evaporator coil.

Since the condenser is situated outdoors, it is vulnerable to the elements. Debris, such as twigs grass clippings, leaves and even roofing shingles can fall into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser will protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. This can decrease the flow of air, causing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in higher energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is running properly. Regularly having a professional technician check every major component of your HVAC system will assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant levels. Follow these steps to extend the life of your heating and cooling system and lower your energy costs.

Compressor

The compressor is the main component of your air conditioning. It circulates refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It is like the blood in your body as it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able perform its job and your home will be extremely hot.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, as an example is one that has a piston moving upwards and downwards in a cylindrical. This motion creates a suction which draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.

This type of compressor is also equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston compress air. A rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder that help to compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, making it a popular option for homes with a small space.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the refrigerant liquid when it is compressed, ensuring that the vapor that leaves the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to lower temperature ones, the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils and change back to its liquid state.

While you can’t avoid the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can stop the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for years and provide peace of mind that your home will remain comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options should you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it determines the time and frequency at which the system turns on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it to an established desired level. If it is off by just a few degrees it will send an electronic signal that changes it closer to the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats employ a digital sensor called a thermistor to measure the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two metals which expand differently when heated up which causes the metals to bend in an opposite direction. When the thermistor is at the temperature set it informs the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.

The touchscreens on newer models make it easier to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at certain times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to manually set them every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage so you can learn how to reduce expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model the method of operation is a bit more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic strip which is attached to a vial using mercury. When the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial moves, either complete or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tilted, it triggers the thermostat to start the cooling or heating system.

You must regularly clean your thermostat to get rid of dust. Also, make sure it isn’t bent or loose. In certain cases, the thermostat may be having issues in its readings due to an evaporator coil that is dirty or the thermistor being damaged. In this situation you’ll have to call in an expert to fix the problem. If you’re experiencing a other issue, like blank displays Try changing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not connected. This is a good illustration of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and maximizing its use.