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 repairs. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the best solution for your home.

The majority of cooling systems rely on 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 within a split system.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil inside your air conditioner is what cools your house. The evaporator coil is in a container that is attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or inside an air handler in the absence of. The evaporator is where refrigerant transforms into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator consists of a few copper coils that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant is at low pressure when it reaches the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows warm air from your home over the coil that is used to evaporate. This air is cooled as heat is taken away from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cool air is circulated through the ductwork in your home to each of the rooms.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to allow for effective air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fan in order to achieve this goal.

The metering device in the evaporator helps to ensure that the refrigerant has the same amount of liquid inside it. The low-side float 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 uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’re most likely to find in your home because it is enclosed inside the metal casing of your 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 important to select the one that will meet the specific requirements of your home. Some models are better suited for extreme environments, while others could be more suitable in milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can help you save time, money and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three major components of the air conditioning system in your home that helps keep it operating efficiently. The condenser is situated outside the house and is connected to the evaporator by refrigerant pipes. It has metal fins and fans which work to remove the heat from the refrigerant which has been transported from the evaporator. The heat that is removed helps the refrigerant to cool down and transform back to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to an condenser unit. It is used 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 is then pumped into condenser coils to take in heat that is not being absorbed by the air around it. After the cooling process the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is pressed again prior to being pumped into the evaporator coil. There, the process starts all over again.

Since the condenser is situated outside, it is exposed to the elements. Leaves and twigs grass clippings or even roofing shingles, can cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.

Beware of shading the condenser. This can decrease air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This could result in increased energy costs and potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is working effectively. Having a professional service technician look over every major component of your system regularly can assist in preventing any major problems from occurring. A professional service team can keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant levels. Follow these simple steps to extend the life of your heating and cooling system and cut down on energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit, and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep everything cool. It’s like the blood that flows through your body as it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the condenser and evaporator from performing their jobs and will leave your home warm and uncomfortable.

There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for instance is one that has a piston moving up and down in a cylinder. This motion creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston is moved 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 is also equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft which helps the piston compress the air. A rotary compressor has blades that are inside the cylinder, which help compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, making it a popular option for homes.

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

You can avoid the majority of AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for years and provide peace of mind that your home will remain comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options if you have a compressor issue.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it decides the time and frequency at which the system is turned on and off. It compares the air temperature to a set desired temperature. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if off a few degrees. Most modern thermostats use an electronic sensor known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is comprised of two metals that expand differently when heated up, causing the metals to bend in an opposite direction. When the thermistor is at its temperature it sends a signal to the circuit board to start your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on newer models make it simple to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at certain times. This saves you from having to set them manually each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so 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 strip which is attached to a vial by mercury. If the temperature changes in the vial, it causes the mercury in the vial to shift and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it activates the cooling and heating system.

You should regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, you should ensure that it isn’t sagging or bent. In some instances the thermostat may be experiencing issues in its readings due to a dirty evaporator coil or the thermistor being damaged. In that case, you will need to call an expert to fix the problem for you. If the problem is something else, like blank screens it is possible to try changing the batteries or making sure that your breaker has not been activated. This is a good example of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you take the time to learn about it and improve its use.