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

It may be worth investing in a new unit if your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repair. 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. However, some, called propane or gas-powered air conditioners, utilize natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers in split systems.

Evaporator

An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a box that is attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or inside an air handler in the event that you don’t have. The evaporator is where the refrigerant liquid transforms into gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils which are tightly packed. The refrigerant is at low pressure when it gets to the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.

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

Unlike the compressor, which needs to produce refrigerant gas at high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator only needs to bring its boiling point to a lower temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help to achieve this final goal.

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

There are two types of evaporators: noncased and cases-based. The most commonly used type of evaporator that you will find in your home is a cased model. It is enclosed within the casing made of metal that covers the air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar but it doesn’t have the protective outer shell.

Both evaporators share the same purpose, however it’s important to select one that is able to meet the specific requirements of your home. Some models are better suited to harsher environments, whereas others might be better suited to milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can save you time, money and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three primary parts of your home’s air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. It is located outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines. It is also home to several fans and metal fins that remove heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transferred from the evaporator. The heat removed helps the refrigerant to be cooled and transform into a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It helps to pressurize the low pressure liquid refrigerant that was pumped from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeeze action increases the temperature, which is carried into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. After the cooling cycle is completed, the refrigerant will be pushed into the compressor, where it will be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.

Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is vulnerable to the elements. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves, and roofing shingles too can get into the condenser unit and damage it. A universal HVAC condenser will protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.

Do not shade the condenser. This can decrease air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in higher energy bills as well as a loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. A professional service technician inspect all of the major components of your system on a regular basis can aid in preventing major problems from occurring. A professional service team can also keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant level. Follow these simple steps to prolong the life of your heating/cooling system and lower your energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep everything cool. It’s like the blood in your body, pumping the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the evaporator and condenser from doing their job and leave your home uncomfortably warm.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has its own pros and cons. For instance the reciprocating compressor is comprised of an engine that moves up and down within the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in the refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This kind of compressor also has a clutch as well as crankshaft, which assists the piston in compressing the air. A rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, making it an ideal option for homes with a small space.

The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid as it is compressed. This creates the formation of a high-temperature, high pressure liquid. Since heat naturally flows from higher temperature substances to lower temperature ones the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils, and return to its original liquid state.

You can avoid the majority of AC problems by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for 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 have a compressor issue.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your cooling and heating system, which allows it to regulate the timing and manner in which it is turned on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it with an established desired level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it’s off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats gauge temperature using an electronic sensor referred to as a thermosistor. The thermistor consists of two different metals that expand at different rates when they heat up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its temperature it sends a signal to the circuit board to switch on your heating or AC system.

The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. A lot of thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This will save you from having to set them manually every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage to help you figure out how to cut down on expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way it operates is a bit more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic band that is joined to mercury in a vial. If the temperature changes the mercury in the vial moves, either complete or breaking an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it activates the cooling and heating system.

You should regularly clean your thermostat in order to eliminate dust. Also, you should ensure that it’s not tangled or bent. In some cases the thermostat’s readings might be inaccurate due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In this case, you’ll need to contact a professional to fix the problem. If the problem is something else, such as an unresponsive screen or a blank screen, you can try changing the batteries or making sure that your breaker has not been activated. This is a good example of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and optimizing its use.