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

It might be worth investing in a replacement unit if your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC professional can help you select the right option for your needs.

Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners make use of natural gas to heat and condensers that run.

Evaporator

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

The evaporator consists of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed. The refrigerant enters the coils at a low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates to a gaseous state.

A fan blows the warm air from your home over the coil that is used to evaporate. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which alters the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers the temperature of your home’s air. The cooled air then moves through the ductwork of your home to each room which is where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system via return ducts.

Unlike the compressor, which has to produce refrigerant gas at extremely high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator has to bring its boiling point to a low temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator has its own fan in order to achieve this final goal.

The evaporator metering device makes sure that the liquid refrigerant remains at an unchanging 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 kinds of evaporators: cases and uncased. The most common type of evaporator that you will find in your home is the cased one. It is housed inside the casing made of metal that covers the 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’s crucial to select the one that will meet the specific requirements of your home. Certain models are more suited to more harsh environments, while others could be more appropriate for milder 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 run.

Condenser

Condensers are one of the three primary components of the cooling system in your home. They aid in the operation of the system efficiently. It is located outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines. It also houses several metal fins and fans that remove heat from the refrigerant gas that was transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas allows it to cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been taken from the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant which then passes into the condenser coils to take in latent heat from the air around it. Once the cooling cycle is complete the refrigerant is pushed into the compressor, where it will be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.

The condenser unit is exposed elements due to its location outside. Leaves and twigs grass clippings or even roofing shingles can damage the condenser. Adding an universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help protect the equipment from damage when it’s not in use.

It is also essential to not shade the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This could result in more expensive energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating efficiently. Regularly having a professional technician check all major components of your HVAC system can assist in avoiding major problems. Additionally having an expert service team monitor your refrigerant levels frequently can also help to prevent any problems from developing. Follow these steps to extend the life of your cooling and heating system and cut down on energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep everything cool. It is as the blood flowing through your body, since it moves the coolant between your evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able to do its job and your home will get extremely hot.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors, and each one has distinct advantages and disadvantages. For instance the reciprocating compressor is comprised of an engine that moves between up and down inside the cylinder. 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 let the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are inside the cylinder to aid in compressing the air. This type of compressor is quiet, making it a popular option for residential use.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid as it is being compressed, ensuring that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-temperature and high-pressure. It is normal for heat to flow from high-temperature materials down to lower-temperature substances, so the hot vapor will travel to the evaporator and return to its liquid state.

You can prevent most AC issues by staying on top with your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for a long time and will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always at ease. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair option if you experience a compressor problem.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, enabling it to regulate the timing and manner in which it turns off and on. It compares the temperature of the air to a pre-set desired level. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature using a digital sensor known as a thermosistor. The thermistor is made up of two metals which expand differently when heated which causes the metals to flex in an opposite direction. When the thermistor is at the temperature that it is set it informs the circuit board that your heating or AC should be switched on.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to operate and program. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at specific times. This saves you from having to set them manually every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage so that you can figure out how to cut down on costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model the method of operation is a bit more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial with mercury. If the temperature changes and the mercury inside a vial shifts, either completing or breaking an electrical circuit. When the vial is tilted, it triggers the thermostat to activate the heating or cooling system.

To keep your thermostat in good working condition You must clean it regularly to remove any dust that may have accumulated. Also, make sure that it is not crooked or loose. In some cases the thermostat may be experiencing issues with its readings because of an unclean evaporator coil or a damaged thermistor. In this case you’ll need to call in a professional to fix the issue. If you’re experiencing other issue, like a blank display Try changing your batteries or checking that your breaker is not in a state of being tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and maximizing its use.