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

If your home’s air conditioning is at its peak the high repair costs and energy bills may make it worthwhile to invest in a new unit. A residential HVAC professional can help you determine the best option for your needs.

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

Evaporator

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is the one that cools your home. The evaporator is within a box connected to your gas furnace or within it (if you own one). If you don’t, the coil can be found inside an air handler. The evaporator is the place where refrigerant transforms into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator consists of a few coils of copper which 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 your indoor air temperature. The cooled air then moves through your home’s ductwork system to every room which is where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system via return ducts.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant down to a low temperature to allow for effective air cooling. The evaporator has its own fan in order to accomplish this final goal.

The evaporator metering system ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at a constant level. The low-side floating is designed to open if there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid enters the coils.

There are two types of evaporators: cased and uncased. The most common type of evaporator in your home is a cased model. It is enclosed within the metal casing that surrounds the air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar but it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.

Both evaporators have the same purpose but it’s important to select a model that can meet your home’s specific needs. For instance, certain models are better suited to harsher working environments, while others are more suitable for milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could help you save time, money and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three main components of the air conditioning system in your home that help keep it working efficiently. It is situated outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines. It also houses a series of metal fins and fans that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transported here from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted helps the refrigerant to be cooled and transform to liquid form.

A compressor is connected to the condenser unit and is used to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been transferred from the evaporator. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, which is then passed into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. After the cooling cycle is completed the refrigerant will be introduced into the compressor, where it will be pressurized prior to being pumped back to the evaporator coil.

The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. 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.

It is also important to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. This can reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This can result in more energy costs and a possibility of losing refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is running properly. Regularly having a professional technician check the major components of your HVAC system can aid in preventing major issues. Additionally having a professional service team check the refrigerant levels on a regular basis will also help keep any problems from developing. Follow these simple steps to help extend the life of your cooling and heating system and lower your energy costs.

Compressor

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

There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for example is one that has a piston moving upwards and downwards in the cylindrical. This movement creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This type of compressor also comes with a clutch and crankshaft, which assists the piston in compressing the air. A rotary compressor comes with blades that are within the cylinder, which assist in compressing the air. This type of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular option for homes.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid while it is compressed, so that the vapor which 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 which is why the hot vapor will travel into the evaporator, and then return to its liquid state.

While you cannot avoid the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC problems by staying on top of your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for many years, and it will provide you with peace of mind knowing your home is always comfortable. If you do encounter 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 your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it controls when and how the system turns on and off. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it to a preset desired level. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if it’s off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature with a digital sensor known as a thermistor. The thermistor consists of two metals that expand in different ways when heated, causing the metals to bend in an opposite direction. When the thermistor is at the temperature set, 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. A lot of thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This will save you from having to manually set them every day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy usage to help you figure out how to cut back on expenses.

If you have an old electromechanical model, it is a little more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic strip which is bonded to a vial by mercury. When the temperature changes the mercury in the vial shifts, either completing or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped it triggers the thermostat to turn on the heating or cooling system.

It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, make sure that it isn’t bent or loose. In some cases the thermostat’s readings may be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In that scenario, you’ll require a professional to fix it. If the issue is something else, like an unresponsive screen or a blank screen, you can try replacing the batteries or making sure 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 understanding it and optimizing its use.