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 a bit old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in choosing the best option for your home.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners use natural gas for heating and running condensers.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil can be found in a box attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or inside an air handler if you don’t. The evaporator is where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat in your home’s air.
The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant is at low pressure when it gets to the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.
A fan blows warm air from your home to the evaporator coil. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which alters the refrigerant’s temperatures and lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then moved through the ductwork of your home to every room which is where it circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system through return ducts.
The evaporator, unlike 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 achieve this goal.
The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid remains 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 detects liquid entering the coils.
There are two types of evaporators: cased and noncased. The most common kind of evaporator you can find in your home is the cased one. It’s enclosed inside the metal casing that protects the air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like the cased evaporators, however they don’t have an outer shell that is protected.
Both evaporators have the same purpose, however it’s crucial to select one that is able to satisfy your home’s particular needs. Some models are more suited to harsher environments, whereas others might be better suited to milder conditions. Think about how easy it would be to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you money, time and effort.
Condenser
Condensers are one of the three major components of your home’s cooling system. They aid in the operation of the system efficiently. The condenser is outside the house and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans which help to remove heat from the refrigerant that has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas aids it cool and then return to liquid form.
A compressor is attached to a condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is 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 to absorb heat that is not being absorbed by the surrounding air. After it has completed its cooling cycle and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor where it is pressed again prior to being pumped to the evaporator coil. There, the process begins again.
The condenser unit is exposed to elements since it is outside. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles may be thrown into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. The addition of the universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help protect the equipment from damage when it’s not in use.
It is also crucial to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. This can impede air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs and potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating properly. Having a professional service technician inspect all of the major components of your system on a regular basis can aid in preventing major issues from arising. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant level. By following these easy steps, you’ll be able to extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling system as well as reduce the cost of energy.
Compressor
The compressor is the main component of your air conditioning. It circulates refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It’s similar to the blood in your body when it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able to do its job and your home will get extremely hot.
There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each one has its own advantages and drawbacks. A reciprocating compressor, as an example, has a piston moving up and down in a cylindrical. This movement creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves down it reduces the volume of gas, and the 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 air. A Rotary compressor, on other hand, has blades inside the cylinder which help compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, which makes it a popular option for homes with a small space.
Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the liquid refrigerant while it is compressed, so that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances down to lower temperature substances and the hot vapor will move to the evaporator and return to its liquid state.
While you can’t prevent the occasional problem with the compressor, you can avoid the majority of AC problems by staying on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for years and provide peace of mind that your home will always be comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options should you experience a compressor problem.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it controls the time and frequency at which the system is turned on and off. It compares the temperature of the air to a set desired temperature. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it is off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats utilize the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor to measure the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates when they warm up and cause them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature set, it signals to the circuit board that your heating or AC should be turned on.
The touchscreens on the latest models make it easy to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at specific times. This means you don’t have to worry about 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 complicated. It is composed of a bimetallic band that is joined to mercury in the vial. When the temperature changes in the vial, it causes the mercury inside the vial to tilt and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it turns on the heating and cooling system.
It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat to get rid of dust. Also, ensure that it is not crooked or loose. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In that case, you will require an expert to fix it. If you’re experiencing a different issue, for instance an unresponsive display try replacing your batteries or making sure that your breaker isn’t connected. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you take the time to research it and make the most of its use.