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

It may be worth investing in a replacement unit when your home’s HVAC is old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the right solution for your home.

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

Evaporator

An evaporator coil is a component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is in a box 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 the place where the refrigerant turns into a liquid and absorbs heat from the air inside your home.

The evaporator has one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant reaches the coils with low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into gaseous state.

A fan blows warm air from your home over the evaporator coil. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which alters the refrigerant’s temperature and reduces your indoor air temperature. The cool air is circulated through the ductwork in your home to each room.

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 uses its own fan in order to accomplish this goal.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant maintains an even amount of liquid inside it. 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 types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is one you’re most likely to find in your home, since it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cases, but they do not have an outer shell with protection.

While both evaporators serve the identical purpose, it’s vital to choose a model that’s capable of meeting the specific requirements of your home. Some models are more suited to extreme environments, while others may be more suitable in more moderate conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you money, time and hassle.

Condenser

Condensers are among the three major components of your cooling system. They aid in the operation of the system efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and connected to the evaporator through refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans which help to remove heat from the refrigerant which has been transported from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted helps the refrigerant reduce in temperature and then transform into a liquid state.

A compressor is connected to a condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped out of the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, which is transferred to the condenser unit to absorb latent heat in the air. Once it has completed its cooling cycle, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor where it is pressurized again 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, leaves, grass clippings and even roofing shingles can fall into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.

Beware of shading the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in more energy costs and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure that the condenser works properly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect all major components of your HVAC system can aid in preventing major issues. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant levels. By following these simple steps, you will be able to prolong the longevity of your cooling and heating system and reduce your energy bills.

Compressor

The compressor is the main component of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. You can think of it like the blood in your body, in that it moves coolant between the condenser and evaporator coils. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able to do its job, and your home will get extremely hot.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors, and each one has distinct advantages and disadvantages. For instance the reciprocating compressor features pistons that move between up and down inside a cylinder, and this motion creates suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This type of compressor also has a clutch as well as a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress the air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are within the cylinder, which aid in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, making it a popular choice for residential applications.

Both types 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-temperature and high-pressure. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower-temperature ones the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils, and return to its liquid state.

While you can’t avoid the possibility of having a problem with your 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 a long time and it will provide you with peace of mind knowing your home is always comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you determine the best repair option if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, which allows it to regulate the time and frequency at which it is turned on and off. It determines the temperature of the air and compares it to the desired temperature set by a preset. 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 gauge temperature with an electronic sensor referred to as the thermosistor. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates as they get hot and cause them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches its temperature set, it signals the circuit board to switch on your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on the newer models make it easier to program and operate. A lot of 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 each day. They also provide reports on energy consumption so you can learn ways to reduce costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the method of operation is a bit more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded to mercury 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 turn on the heating or cooling system.

You should regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, make sure it is not crooked or loose. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. If that is the situation, you’ll need to call an expert to fix it. If you’re experiencing different issue, for instance a blank display, try changing your batteries or checking that your breaker is not connected. This is an illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient if you take the time to learn about it and optimize its use.