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

It may be worth investing in a replacement unit if your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in choosing the right option for your home.

Most cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes. However, some, such as gas-powered or propane air conditioners use natural gas to power furnaces and run condensers within a split system.

Evaporator

An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil can be found in a container 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 the refrigerant turns into a liquid and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils at a low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates to gaseous state.

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

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve efficient air cooling. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help it in achieving this objective.

The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant in the liquid is always at the same level. The low-side floating is designed to be open when there is no liquid in the evaporator, and close when liquid is introduced into the coils.

There are two types of evaporators, cased and noncased. The most common type of evaporator in your home is a cased model. It’s enclosed inside the metal casing that protects your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar to the cased evaporators, however they don’t have a protective outer shell.

While both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s important to select one that is suitable for your home’s unique requirements. Some models are more suited to harsher environments, whereas others might be better suited to more moderate conditions. Think about how easy it would be to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can save you money, time and hassle.

Condenser

Condensers are among the three primary components of your home’s cooling system. They assist in making it operate efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It has metal fins and fans which work to remove the heat from the refrigerant that was transported from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas helps it cool and turn back into liquid form.

A compressor is connected to an condenser unit. It works to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant, which then flows into the condenser coils to take in latent heat from the air surrounding it. After the cooling process and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor, where it is pressed again prior to being pumped to the evaporator coil where the process begins all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Debris such as leaves or twigs, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles could cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can lead to increased energy costs as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure that the condenser works effectively. A professional service technician inspect all the major components of your system on a regular basis can assist in preventing any major problems from occurring. A professional service team can prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these easy steps, you can help to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and lower the cost of energy.

Compressor

A compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant through the system to keep everything cool. It’s similar to the blood that flows through your body as it pumps the coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will stop the condenser and evaporator from doing their job 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 instance is one that has a piston moving up and down in a piston. This produces a suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

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

Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid when it is compressed, so that the vapor that leaves the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. It is normal for heat to flow from high-temperature substances down to lower temperature substances, so the hot vapor moves into the evaporator, and then return to its liquid state.

While you cannot avoid the occasional problem with the compressor, you can avoid the majority of AC issues by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time, and will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home is always at ease. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair option if you experience a compressor problem.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your cooling and heating system, which allows it to decide the time and frequency at which it is turned on and off. It determines the temperature of the air and compares it to an established desired level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats employ the digital sensor, also known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor consists of two metals that expand differently when heated up which causes the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its temperature set it tells the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on newer models make it easy to program and operate. They can be programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at certain times, which saves you the effort of having to set it every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy consumption so you can learn how to cut back on expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model the method of operation is a bit more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic strip that is attached to a vial with mercury. When the temperature fluctuates, it causes the mercury in the vial to tilt in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it activates the heating and cooling system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good working order You must clean it regularly to remove any dust that may have accumulated. Also, make sure that it isn’t bent or loose. In some cases the thermostat could be experiencing issues with its readings because of a dirty evaporator coil or the thermistor being damaged. In that situation, you’ll need to call a professional to fix it for you. If you’re experiencing a different problem, such as blank displays try replacing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not connected. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient if you spend the time to understand it and make the most of its use.