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

If your home’s air conditioning is getting old cost of repair and energy bills can make it worthwhile to invest in a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in choosing the best option for your home.

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

Evaporator

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is the one 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 inside an air handler in the absence of. The evaporator is where the refrigerant liquid is transformed into gas and absorbs heat from your home’s indoor air.

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils that are tightly packed. The refrigerant reaches the coils with low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates into a gaseous state.

A fan blows warm air through the coil that is used to evaporate the air. This air is cooled when heat is taken away from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of the air inside. The cool air is circulated through the ductwork in your home, and then to each room.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help it in achieving this objective.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant maintains the same amount of liquid inside it. The low-side floating is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid enters the coils.

There are two primary kinds of evaporators: cases and uncased. The most commonly used kind of evaporator you can find in your home is the one that is cased. It’s enclosed inside the metal casing that protects your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cases, but they do not have an outer shell with protection.

Although both evaporators serve the identical purpose, it’s vital to select a model capable of meeting the requirements of your house. For instance, some models are better suited for extreme working environments, while others are better suited 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 major components of the air conditioning system in your home that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is situated outside the house and connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans that help remove heat from the refrigerant which was transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas aids it to cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit and is used to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that was taken from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, which is then passed into the condenser to absorb the heat that is trapped in the air. Once it has completed its cooling process the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil, where the process begins again.

Because the condenser is located outside, it is exposed to the elements. Debris such as twigs, leaves, grass clippings and even roofing shingles can fall into the condenser unit and damage 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 ensure that the condenser is not shaded. Shades can limit air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in higher energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect all major components of your HVAC system can help prevent major problems. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant levels. By following these simple steps, you will be able to extend the life of your heating and cooling system and reduce your energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit and it circulates refrigerant through the system to keep it cool. It’s similar to the blood of your body, pumping the 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 house will get extremely hot.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors, and each one has distinct advantages and disadvantages. For example, a reciprocating compressor has a piston that moves between up and down inside a cylinder, and this movement creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves down, it reduces the volume of gas, then a discharge valve opens to let the refrigerant that is pressurized out into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor has a clutch as well as a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress the air. A Rotary compressor, on the other hand, has blades inside the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential use.

The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to raise temperatures of the liquid when it is compressed. This results in an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure vapor. 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 original liquid state.

While you can’t avoid the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC problems by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and give you peace-of-mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you determine the best repair options if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it determines when and how the system is turned on and off. It compares the temperature of the air to a set desired temperature. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats gauge temperature with the digital sensor, also known as the thermistor. The thermistor is composed of two different metals that expand at different rates when they heat up and bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its temperature set, it signals the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.

Newer models of thermostats have touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. They are usually programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at specific times, which saves you the hassle of having to manually set it every day. They also provide reports on energy consumption so that you can learn ways to reduce costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the method of operation is a bit more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded with mercury to a vial. When the temperature fluctuates, it causes the mercury inside the vial to move, completing or interrupting an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped, it triggers the thermostat to turn on the heating or cooling system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good working order It is essential to clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that has accumulated. Also, make sure it isn’t crooked or loose. In some cases, the thermostat may be having issues in its readings due to an evaporator coil that is dirty or a damaged thermistor. In that case, you will require a professional to fix it for you. If you’re experiencing different problem, such as a blank display Try changing your batteries or checking that your breaker is not tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and optimizing its use.