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

It might be worth investing in a new unit if your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the right option 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 power furnaces and run condensers within a split system.

Evaporator

An Evaporator coil is the component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a box attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler in the absence of. The evaporator is where the refrigerant liquid is transformed into a gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.

The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils that are packed tightly together. The refrigerant is at low pressure when it reaches the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows warm air through the coil that is used to evaporate the air. The air is then cooled through the removal of heat from the evaporator, which alters the refrigerant’s temperatures and lowers the temperature of your home’s air. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork of your home to each of the rooms.

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

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant maintains a constant level of liquid within it. The low-side float is designed to open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator, and it closes when sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two types of evaporators: cased and noncased. The most commonly used type of evaporator that you will find in your home is the cased one. It’s enclosed inside the casing made of metal that covers your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar to cased evaporators, but they do not have an outer shell with protection.

Although both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s crucial to select a model capable of meeting the requirements of your house. Some models are better suited for harsher environments, while others could be more suitable in more moderate conditions. Also, you should think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator as this can save you time, money and hassle in the long in the long.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three primary parts of your home’s air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. The condenser is located outside the home and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans which help remove heat from the refrigerant that was transferred from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas helps it cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the 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, and it is carried into the condenser to absorb latent heat in the air. When the cooling process is complete the refrigerant is moved into the compressor, where it will be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.

The condenser unit is exposed the elements because it is outside. Debris such as twigs, grass clippings, leaves, and even roofing shingles can fall into the condenser unit and damage it. A universal HVAC condenser will protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.

Do not shade the condenser. This can impede air flow and make the compressor 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 correctly. Regularly having a professional technician check every major component of your HVAC system will help prevent major problems. Additionally having an expert service team monitor the refrigerant levels on a regular basis can also help to keep any problems from developing. Follow these simple steps to help extend the life of your heating and cooling system and lower your energy costs.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant through the system, keeping everything cool. It’s similar to the blood that flows through your body as it pumps the coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it can stop the condenser and evaporator from completing their tasks and will make your home warm and uncomfortable.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. For instance, a reciprocating compressor has an engine that moves up and down within a cylinder, and this movement creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves downward it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This kind of compressor also includes a clutch and a crankshaft, which helps the piston in compressing the air. A rotary compressor, on the other hand, has blades inside the cylinder that help to compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, which makes it a popular choice for homes.

The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to raise temperature of the liquid as it is compressed. This results in a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures, the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils before it can change back to its original liquid state.

You can prevent most AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for a long time and it will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always at ease. If you do experience a problem with the compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining which repair options are best for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it controls the time and frequency at which the system turns on and off. It compares the air temperature to a set desired temperature. If it is off by one or two degrees it will send an electronic signal to bring it closer to the desired temperature. Most modern thermostats use a digital sensor called the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is comprised of two metals that expand differently when heated up which causes the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its set temperature it sends a signal to 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 can be programmed to automatically heat or cool your house at specific time frames, which avoids the hassle of having to set it each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so that you can discover ways to reduce costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model the way that it works is a bit more complicated. It is made up of a bimetallic band that is joined to mercury in a vial. When temperatures change and the mercury inside a vial shifts, either completing or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tilted it triggers the thermostat to start the heating or cooling system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good working condition You must clean it regularly to remove any dust that has accumulated. Also, make sure that it isn’t crooked or loose. In some cases the thermostat could be having trouble with its readings because of an unclean evaporator coil or the thermistor being damaged. If that is the case, you will have to contact an expert to fix it for you. If you’re experiencing different problem, such as blank displays, try changing your batteries or ensuring that your breaker isn’t in a state of being tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you spend the time to learn about it and improve its use.