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 old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the right solution for your home.

The majority of cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, but certain gas-powered or propane air conditioners, utilize natural gas to fuel furnaces and operate condensers in a split system.

Evaporator

An evaporator coil is a component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator can be found inside a box that is attached to your gas furnace, or inside it (if you have one). If you don’t have one, the coil can be found inside an air handler. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant turns into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator is comprised of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed. The refrigerant enters the coils at a low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates into gaseous form.

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 alters the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cool air then flows through your home’s ductwork to every room and circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system through return ducts.

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

The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid remains at an unchanging level. The low-side float is designed to open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator, and closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators: noncased and cases-based. A cased evaporator is one you’ll likely to see in your home, since it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar but it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.

Although both evaporators serve the identical purpose, it’s vital to select a model able to meet your home’s unique requirements. Some models are better suited to extreme environments, while others could be more appropriate for more moderate conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can save you money, time and effort.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three main components of your air conditioning system that helps keep it operating efficiently. It is situated outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines. It is also home to a series of metal fins and fans that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that was transported from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted helps the refrigerant to be cooled and transform into a liquid state.

A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been taken from the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant which then passes into the condenser coils, which absorb the heat that is not being released from the air around it. Once it has completed its cooling cycle, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil where the process begins all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed to elements since it is outside. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves, and even roofing shingles can be thrown into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.

It is also essential to not shade the condenser. This can impede air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in more energy costs and a possibility of losing refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is operating correctly. A professional service technician look over all the major components of your system on a regular basis can assist in preventing any major issues from arising. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant level. Follow these simple steps to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and reduce energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit, and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It’s similar to the blood in your body as it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the evaporator and condenser from completing their tasks and leave your home warm and uncomfortable.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each one comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. A reciprocating compressor, for example is one that has a piston moving upwards and downwards within a cylindrical. This creates a suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve then opens to release the pressurized refrigeration to the condenser.

This kind of compressor also includes a clutch and a crankshaft, which helps the piston to compress the air. A rotary compressor has blades inside the cylinder, which help compress the air. This type of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential applications.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant’s liquid as it is being compressed, so that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature materials down to lower temperature substances, so the hot vapor moves to the evaporator and return to its liquid state.

You can avoid most AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for many years and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will always be comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair options if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brains of your cooling and heating system, allowing it to decide the time and frequency at which it turns off and on. It compares the air temperature to a set desired temperature. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats utilize a digital sensor called the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is comprised of two metals that expand differently when heated which causes the metals to bend in opposite direction. When the thermistor is at its temperature, it signals the circuit board to switch on your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on the newer models make it simple to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home according to specific times. This saves you from having to manually set them each day. Additionally, they offer information on energy usage so you can learn how to reduce expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way it operates is a bit more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic band which is bonded with mercury to the vial. When the temperature fluctuates, it causes the mercury in the vial to move in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped, it triggers the thermostat to start the cooling or heating system.

It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, you should ensure that it’s not tangled or unbalanced. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings might be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In this case, you will have to contact an expert to fix the problem for you. If the problem is something else, like a blank screen it is possible to try replacing the batteries or ensuring that the breaker hasn’t been activated. This is a good illustration of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and maximizing its use.