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

It could be worthwhile to invest in a replacement unit if your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC professional can assist you to choose the best option for your needs.

Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners use natural gas for heating and running condensers.

Evaporator

An evaporator coil is a component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is 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 turns into a liquid and then absorbs heat from the air inside your home.

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

A fan blows warm air from your home to the coil that is used to evaporate. This air is cooled when heat is removed from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of the air inside. The cooled air is then moved 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.

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant down to a low temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help in achieving this objective.

The metering device in the evaporator helps to ensure that the refrigerant has an even amount of liquid in it. The low-side floating is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator, and close when liquid enters the coils.

There are two main types of evaporators: cased and uncased. The most common kind of evaporator you can find in your home is the cased one. It’s enclosed inside the casing made of metal that covers the air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same, except it doesn’t have the protective outer shell.

While both evaporators have the same purpose, it’s important to select a model suitable for your home’s unique requirements. Some models are better suited for extreme environments, while others could be more suitable in more moderate conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you money, time and effort.

Condenser

Condensers are one of the three major components of the cooling system in your home. They aid in the operation of the system efficiently. It is located outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines and contains an array of metal fins and fans that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that was transported here from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas allows it to cool and turn back into liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeeze action increases the temperature, which is then carried into the condenser to absorb latent heat in the air. After the cooling process, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor where it is again pressurized before being pumped to the evaporator coil. There, the process starts all over again.

Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings, grass clippings, or roofing shingles, can cause damage to the condenser. By adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help safeguard the equipment from damage even when it’s not in use.

It is also essential to not shade the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can lead to more expensive energy bills as well as a loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. Having a professional service technician examine every major component of your system regularly can aid in preventing major issues from occurring. A professional service team can also keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant levels. By following these easy steps, you’ll be able to prolong the longevity of your cooling and heating system and reduce your energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It’s like the blood in your body, pumping the coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails and the evaporator fails, it will not be able to do its job and your house will get extremely hot.

There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. For instance the reciprocating compressor features pistons that move upwards and downwards within a cylinder, and this movement creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston is moved down it decreases 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, on the other hand, has blades inside the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, making it an ideal option for homes with a small space.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid refrigerant while it is compressed, ensuring that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. The heat naturally flows from high-temperature materials down to lower temperatures, so the hot vapor will move into the evaporator, and then return to its liquid state.

While you cannot avoid the occasional problem with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for many years and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will always be comfortable. If you do experience a problem with the compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can help you decide what repair options are most suitable for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your cooling and heating system, which allows it to regulate the time and frequency at which it turns off and on. It compared the temperature of the air to a pre-set level. If it is off by a few degrees, the thermostat will send an electronic signal to bring it to bring it closer to the desired temperature. Most modern thermostats use the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor to gauge the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates when they get hot, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches its temperature set, it signals the circuit board to start your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on newer models make it easier to program and operate. A lot of thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home according to specific times. This saves you from having to manually set them every day. They also provide reports on energy usage so that you can find ways to cut costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way that it works is a bit more complex. It consists of a bimetallic strip which is attached to a vial using mercury. When temperatures change, the mercury in a vial moves, either complete or breaking an electrical circuit. When the vial tips the thermostat, it turns on the cooling and heating system.

To keep your thermostat in good working condition, you must be sure to clean it on a regular basis to remove any dust that may have accumulated. You must also ensure that it isn’t sagging or bent. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be inaccurate due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In that scenario, you’ll need to call a professional to fix the problem for you. If you are experiencing a other issue, like an unresponsive display, try changing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and maximizing its use.