What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
If the air conditioning in your home is in its senior years, high repair costs and energy bills could make it worth investing in the purchase of a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in choosing the right option for your home.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners make use of natural gas for heating and condensers that run.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is in a box 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 the place where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat in your home’s air.
The evaporator is comprised of a few coils of copper which are tightly packed. The refrigerant reaches the coils with low pressure, which makes it easier for it to transfer heat when it evaporates into gaseous state.
A fan blows the warm air that is escaping your home over the evaporator coil. The air is then cooled as heat is taken away from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of the air inside. The cool air then flows through the ductwork of your home to every room which is where it circulates until it returns 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 achieve effective air cooling. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help it in achieving this goal.
The evaporator metering device makes sure that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at a constant level. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator, and closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.
There are two types of evaporators: cased and noncased. The most popular type of evaporator that you will find in your home is the cased one. It’s enclosed inside the metal casing that surrounds your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cases, but they don’t have an outer shell with protection.
While both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s important to select one that is capable of meeting the specific requirements of your home. For example, some models are more suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited to 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 one of three main components of the air conditioning system in your home that helps keep it operating efficiently. It is located outside the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines. It also houses a series of fans and metal fins that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas helps it to cool before turning back into liquid form.
A compressor is attached to the condenser unit and helps to pressurize the low pressure liquid refrigerant that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which then flows into the condenser coils, which absorb the latent heat from the air surrounding it. Once the cooling cycle is completed, the refrigerant will be introduced into the compressor, where it will be pressurized before being pumped back to the evaporator coil.
Since the condenser is situated outside, it is exposed to the elements. Debris like twigs or leaves, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles can damage 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 not shade the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in more energy costs and a possibility of losing refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working correctly. Regularly having a professional technician check every major component of your HVAC system can aid in preventing major issues. In addition, having a professional service team check your refrigerant levels regularly will also help prevent any problems from developing. By following these easy steps, you’ll be able to prolong the longevity of your heating and cooling system as well as reduce your energy bills.
Compressor
A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep everything cool. It’s like the blood in your body, as it moves coolant back and forth between your condenser and evaporator coils. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able to do its job and your house will become uncomfortably hot.
There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for example is one that has a piston moving upwards and downwards in the cylinder. This motion produces a suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves down, it reduces the gas volume, and then a discharge valve opens to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor also comes with a clutch and crankshaft, which assists the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential applications.
The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to raise temperatures of the liquid when it is compressed. This creates an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure vapor. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to lower-temperature ones the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils and change back to its original liquid state.
While you can’t prevent the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by staying on top of your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for many years, and will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always comfortable. If you do encounter problems with your compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repairs are the best for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it decides the frequency and manner in which the system turns on and off. It compared the temperature of the air to a pre-set level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it is off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature using an electronic sensor referred to as a thermistor. The thermistor is composed of two different metals that expand at different rates as they heat up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature it was set to it informs the circuit board that your heating or AC should be turned on.
Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. They can be programmed to automatically heat or cool your home at specific time frames, which avoids the hassle of manually setting it every day. They also provide reports on energy usage so that you can discover ways to reduce expenses.
If you have an older electromechanical model, it’s slightly more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic piece that is attached to a vial with mercury. If the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial moves, either complete or breaking an electrical circuit. When the vial tipping the thermostat, it turns on the cooling and heating system.
It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, make sure it isn’t crooked or loose. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this case, you will need to call a professional to fix it for you. If you’re experiencing other issue, like a blank display Try changing your batteries or ensuring that your breaker is not connected. This is an illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you make the effort to understand it and optimize its use.