What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
If the air conditioning in your home is getting old the high repair costs and energy bills can make it worthwhile to invest in an upgrade. A residential HVAC professional can assist you to select the right option for your needs.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners, make use of natural gas to heat and condensers that run.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil can be found in a container that is attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, in the absence of. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant liquid is transformed into a gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.
The evaporator has one or more copper coils that are packed tightly together. The refrigerant enters the coils with low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates into a gaseous state.
A fan blows your home’s warm air through the evaporator coil. The air is then cooled as heat is removed from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air then moves through your home’s ductwork to every room which is where it circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system through return ducts.
In contrast to the compressor, which requires to produce refrigerant gas at high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator has to raise its boiling point to a low temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator makes use of its own fans to accomplish this final goal.
The evaporator’s metering device helps to ensure that the refrigerant has an even amount of liquid inside it. The low-side floating is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator. It will close when liquid is introduced into the coils.
There are two types of evaporators: cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’ll likely to see in your home since it is enclosed inside the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same but it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.
Both evaporators serve the same purpose, however it’s crucial to select one that is able to meet your home’s specific needs. For example, some models are better suited to extreme working environments, while others are better suited to more moderate conditions. Also, you should consider how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator as this could save you time, money and effort in the long time.
Condenser
The condenser is one of three primary parts of the air conditioning system in your home that help keep it working efficiently. It is located outside the home, and is connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines. It also houses a series of fans and metal fins which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed helps the refrigerant reduce in temperature and then transform into a liquid state.
A compressor is attached to the condenser unit and works to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been transferred from the evaporator. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, which is transferred to the condenser unit to absorb the heat that is trapped in the air. Once it has completed its cooling cycle and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor, where it is pressurized again before being pumped to the evaporator coil, where the process begins again.
The condenser unit is exposed to elements since it is outside. Leaves and twigs grass clippings or even roofing shingles, could cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.
It is also important to not shade the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs and possibility of losing refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help to ensure that the condenser is working properly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect the major components of your HVAC system can assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant level. Follow these steps to help extend the life of your cooling and heating system and lower your energy costs.
Compressor
A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It is like the blood of your body when it pumps coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able to perform its job and your home will get extremely hot.
There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. For example the reciprocating compressor features pistons that move up and down within a cylinder, and this movement creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. When the piston moves downwards it reduces the volume of gas, then a discharge valve is opened to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress air. A rotary compressor has blades inside the cylinder to aid in compressing the air. This type of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential use.
The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid as it is compressed. This results in a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower-temperature substances which is why the hot vapor will move to the evaporator and return to its liquid state.
You can avoid most AC problems by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for many years, and it will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options if you have a compressor issue.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your cooling and heating system, enabling it to regulate when and how it turns off and on. It reads the air temperature and compares it with a preset desired level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it is off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats employ a digital sensor called a thermistor to measure the temperature. 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 reaches the temperature it was set to, it signals to the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.
Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. They are usually programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at certain times, which saves you the hassle of having to manually set it every day. They also provide information on energy usage so that you can discover ways to reduce expenses.
If you have an old electromechanical model, it’s somewhat more complicated. It consists of a bimetallic strip that is attached to a vial with mercury. When the temperature changes 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 cooling or heating system.
You must regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, you should ensure that it’s not tangled or crooked. In some instances the thermostat could be having issues in its readings due to a dirty evaporator coil or a damaged thermistor. If that is the scenario, you’ll require an expert to fix it for you. If the issue is something else, such as an unresponsive screen or a blank screen, you can try replacing the batteries or making sure that your breaker has not been tripped. This is a good example of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by understanding it and maximizing its use.