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

It may be worth investing in a new unit in the event that your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC professional can help you select the right solution for your needs.

Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to 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 can be found in a box attached to your gas furnace or within it (if you have one). If you don’t, the coil can be found inside an air handler. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant liquid turns into a gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.

The evaporator consists of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed. The refrigerant is in low pressure as it reaches the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.

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

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fans in order to accomplish this objective.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant is at an even amount of liquid within it. The low-side float is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator, and it closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators, noncased and cases-based. The most commonly used type of evaporator that you will find in your home is the one that is cased. It is enclosed within the metal casing that surrounds the air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar, except it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.

While both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s crucial to select a model capable of meeting your home’s unique requirements. For example, some models are more suited to extreme working environments, while others are better suited to milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can save you money, time and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three main components of your air conditioning system that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is located outside the home and is connected to the evaporator by refrigerant pipes. It has fans and metal fins which help to remove heat from the refrigerant that was transported from the evaporator. The heat that is removed helps the refrigerant be cooled and transform into a liquid state.

A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been transferred from the evaporator. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, which is then transferred to the condenser unit to absorb latent heat in the air. After the cooling process the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is pressed again prior to being pumped to the evaporator coil where the process starts all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed to elements due to its location outside. Debris, such as twigs grass clippings, leaves, and even roofing shingles can fall into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.

Beware of shading the condenser. This could reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could lead to more energy costs and a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. Regularly having a professional technician check all major components 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 prevent any problems from developing. Follow these easy steps to extend the life of your heating/cooling system and cut down on energy costs.

Compressor

The compressor is the core of your air conditioning. It circulates refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It’s similar to the blood of your body when it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the condenser and evaporator from performing their jobs and leave your home feeling uncomfortable warm.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own pros and cons. For example the reciprocating compressor is comprised of an engine that moves between up and down inside the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downward it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This type of compressor also has a clutch as well as a crankshaft that helps the piston in compressing the air. A rotary compressor, on the other hand, has blades inside the cylinder which help compress the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential use.

The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid as it is compressed. This creates the formation of a 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 liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the occasional problem with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by staying on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time, and will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always at ease. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your heating and cooling system, enabling it to control the time and frequency at which it is turned on and off. It compares the temperature of the air to a pre-set level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature by using the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor. The thermistor consists of two different metals that expand at different rates as they get hot and bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its set temperature, it signals the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. They can be programmed to automatically cool or heat your house at specific times, which saves you the headache of having to set the temperature each day. They also provide information on energy usage so that you can learn ways to reduce costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way it operates is a little more complex. It is composed of a bimetallic band which is joined to mercury in a vial. If the temperature changes and the mercury inside a vial tilts, completing or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts, the thermostat turns on the cooling and heating system.

You must regularly clean your thermostat to get rid of dust. You should also make sure that it isn’t sagging or bent. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings may be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In this instance, you’ll need to get an expert to resolve the problem. If the issue is something else, such as blank screens it is possible to try changing the batteries or ensuring that your breaker has not been activated. This is a good example of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and optimizing its use.