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

If your home’s HVAC is at its peak the high repair costs and energy bills could make it worthwhile to invest in the purchase of a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best option for your home.

Most cooling systems rely upon 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 in split systems.

Evaporator

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

The evaporator is made up of a few coils of copper which are tightly packed. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils with low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into a gaseous state.

A fan blows the warm air from your home over the coil that is used to evaporate. The air is then cooled as heat is removed from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of the air inside. The cool air is circulated through the ductwork of your home to each room.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant down to a low temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator makes use of its own fans in order to achieve this goal.

The evaporator metering system ensures that the liquid refrigerant is always at a constant level. The low-side floating is designed to open if there is no liquid in the evaporator, and close when liquid gets into the coils.

There are two types of evaporators, cased and noncased. The most commonly used kind of evaporator you can find in your home is the one that is cased. It is enclosed within the casing made of metal that covers your air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same however it doesn’t come with the protective outer shell.

Both evaporators serve the same purpose but it is important to choose the one that will meet your home’s specific needs. For example, some models are better suited to extreme working environments, while others are more suitable for milder conditions. You should also consider how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator, as this can save you time, money and hassle in the long time.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three main components of your home’s air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. The condenser is outside the house and connected to the evaporator through refrigerant pipes. It contains metal fins and fans that work to remove the heat from the refrigerant that was transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas allows it to cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant which then passes into the condenser coils, which absorb the latent heat from the air around it. After it has completed its cooling process, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor where it is again pressurized before being pumped to the evaporator coil, where the process begins again.

Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris like twigs or leaves, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles can cause damage to the condenser. Adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help safeguard the equipment from damage even when it’s not in use.

It is also important to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This could result in higher energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help to ensure that the condenser works correctly. A professional service technician examine every major component of your system regularly can help to prevent any major issues from occurring. In addition, having a professional service team check the refrigerant levels on a regular basis will also help keep any problems from developing. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to extend the longevity of your cooling and heating system and lower your energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant through the system to keep everything cool. It is like the blood that flows through your body when it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with your compressor, it will stop the evaporator and condenser from performing their jobs and will leave your home uncomfortably warm.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example the reciprocating compressor features an engine that moves between up and down inside a cylinder, and this action creates suction which draws in the refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards, it reduces gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to release the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.

This type of compressor has a clutch as well as a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress air. A Rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder which help compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, which makes it a popular option for homes.

The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This creates the formation of a high-temperature, high pressure liquid. Since heat naturally flows from higher temperature substances to those with lower temperatures the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils, and change back to its original liquid state.

You can avoid most AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC 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 choose 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 the time and frequency at which the system 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 it’s off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats utilize an electronic sensor known as a thermistor to measure the temperature. The thermistor is comprised of two metals that expand in different ways when heated up, causing the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches its temperature it tells the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on the newer models make it easier to program and operate. They are often programmed to automatically heat or cool your home at specific time frames, which avoids the hassle of manually setting the temperature each day. They also provide information 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 consists of a bimetallic strip that is bonded to a vial by mercury. When the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial shifts, either completing or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped, it triggers the thermostat to start the heating or cooling system.

It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, ensure that it isn’t bent or loose. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings might be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this scenario, you’ll require an expert to fix it. If you’re experiencing a other issue, like blank displays, try changing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and maximizing its use.