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

It may be worth investing in a new unit if your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can help you determine the best option for your needs.

Most cooling systems rely upon electricity to cool and heat homes, however some, called propane or gas-powered air conditioners use natural gas to fuel furnaces and operate condensers in split systems.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is what cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a box that is attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, if you don’t. The evaporator is where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat from the air inside your home.

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils that are tightly packed. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils with low pressure, which makes it easier for it to transfer heat as it evaporates to gaseous form.

A fan blows your home’s warm indoor air over the coil that is used to evaporate the air. The air is then cooled as heat is taken away from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork in your home, and then to each room.

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator makes use of its own fan in order to accomplish this goal.

The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at an unchanging level. The low-side floating is designed to be open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid is introduced into the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators: noncased and cased. The most commonly used type of evaporator in your home is the cased one. It’s enclosed inside the metal casing that surrounds the air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar however it doesn’t come with the protective outer shell.

While both evaporators serve the identical purpose, it’s vital to select a model able to meet the requirements of your house. Certain models are more suited to harsher environments, while others could be more suitable in more moderate conditions. You should also take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator, as this can save you time, money and hassle in the long run.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three primary parts of your air conditioning system that helps keep it operating efficiently. The condenser is outside the house and connected to the evaporator by refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of fans and metal fins which help remove heat from the refrigerant which has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas aids it cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It helps to pressurize the low pressure liquid refrigerant that has been taken from the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant which then flows into the condenser coils, which absorb the latent heat from the surrounding air. After the cooling process the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil where the process begins all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed to elements since it is outside. Debris such as leaves or twigs, grass clippings, or roofing shingles, can cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage while 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 could result in increased energy costs and possibility of losing refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure that the condenser is working properly. A professional service technician inspect every major component of your system on a regular basis will assist in preventing any major issues from arising. A professional service team can also prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these easy steps, you’ll be able to prolong the life of your cooling and heating system as well as reduce your 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, as it circulates coolant between your evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able perform its job, and your home will get extremely hot.

There are a myriad of different kinds of HVAC compressors. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, as an example it has a piston that moves up and down in the piston. This creates a suction that draws in refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This kind of compressor also comes with a clutch and a crankshaft, which helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are within the cylinder to help compress the air. This type of compressor is very quiet, making it a popular option for homes.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant’s liquid when it is compressed, so that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-temperature and high-pressure. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils before it can transform back to its original liquid state.

While you cannot avoid 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 ensure that your equipment will last for a long time, and it will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always comfortable. If you do encounter an issue with the compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are most suitable for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it decides the time and frequency at which the system turns on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it to a preset desired level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if it’s off by a few degrees. 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 heat up and cause them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature set it informs the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.

Newer models of thermostats have touchscreens that make them simple to operate and program. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home according to specific times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to manually set them each day. Additionally, they offer information on energy usage to help you figure out how to cut back on costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the method of operation is a little more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic band which is bonded to mercury a vial. When the temperature changes, it causes the mercury in the vial to move in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial tipping the thermostat, it activates the heating and cooling system.

You should regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, ensure that it is not crooked or loose. In certain cases, the thermostat’s readings might be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. If that is the situation, you’ll have to contact an expert to fix it. If you’re experiencing a different issue, for instance an unresponsive display try replacing your batteries or making sure that your breaker is not in a state of being tripped. This is a good example of how your HVAC system can be more efficient if you spend the time to research it and optimize its use.