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

If your home’s HVAC is at its peak, high repair costs and energy bills could be a reason to consider the purchase of a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best solution for your needs.

Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners make use of natural gas for heating and condensers to run.

Evaporator

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

The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils that are packed tightly together. The refrigerant enters the coils at a low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into a gaseous state.

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

Unlike the compressor, which has to produce refrigerant gas in high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator requires it to raise its boiling point to a lower temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator makes use of its own fans to achieve this final goal.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant has a constant level of liquid in it. The low-side float is designed to be open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators, noncased and cases-based. A cased evaporator is the one you’re most likely to find in your home, since it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cases, but they do not have an outer shell that is protected.

Both evaporators have the same function, but it’s important to select one that is able to meet the specific requirements of your home. For instance, some models are better suited for harsher working environments, while others are better suited for milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you time, money and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three main components of the air conditioning system in your home that helps keep it operating efficiently. The condenser is outside the house and is connected to the evaporator by refrigerant pipes. It has metal fins and fans that work to remove the heat from the refrigerant which was transported from the evaporator. The heat removed allows the refrigerant to be cooled and transform to a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to a condenser unit. It works to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped out of the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, and it is transferred to the condenser unit to absorb latent heat in the air. When the cooling process is completed the refrigerant is introduced into the compressor to be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.

Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris, such as twigs grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles may get into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. By adding an universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help to protect the equipment from damage when it isn’t in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can result in more energy costs and a possibility of losing refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect all major components of your HVAC system can assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant level. By following these steps, you can help to extend the longevity of your cooling and heating system and reduce your energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep everything cool. It is like the blood in your body, as it moves coolant back and forth between the condenser and evaporator coils. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the evaporator and condenser from doing their job and will make your home warm and uncomfortable.

There are a variety of HVAC compressors and each has its own pros and cons. A reciprocating compressor, for example it has a piston that moves upwards and downwards within a cylindrical. This creates a suction that draws in the refrigerant. When the piston moves downwards, it reduces the gas volume, and the discharge valve opens to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are inside the cylinder, which assist in compressing the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, making it a popular option for residential applications.

Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the refrigerant liquid when it is compressed, so that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-temperature and high-pressure. Since heat naturally flows from higher temperature substances to those with lower temperatures, the hot vapor is able to move into the evaporator coils, and return to its original liquid state.

While you cannot avoid the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for many years, and it will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always in good condition. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair options if you have a compressor issue.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your cooling and heating system, enabling it to regulate the timing and manner in which it turns off and on. It determines the temperature of the air and compares it with the desired temperature set by a preset. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats gauge temperature with an electronic sensor referred to as the thermosistor. The thermistor is composed of two different metals that expand at different rates as they get hot and cause them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its temperature it tells the circuit board to start your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on newer models make it simple to program and operate. They are usually programmed to automatically heat or cool your home at specific times, which eliminates the headache of having to set it each day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage to help you figure out how to cut back on costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way it operates is a bit more complicated. It consists of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial by mercury. When temperatures change the mercury in the vial tilts, completing or breaking an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it turns on the cooling and heating system.

To keep your thermostat in good working order You must clean it regularly to remove any dust that may have accumulated. Also, make sure it isn’t crooked or loose. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings might be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this situation, you’ll require an expert to fix it for you. If you’re experiencing a different issue, for instance a blank display Try changing your batteries or making sure that your breaker is not connected. This is an illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you take the time to understand it and improve its use.