What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
If your home’s HVAC is in its senior years the high repair costs and energy bills could be a reason to consider a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the best option for your home.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners, make use of natural gas for heating and condensers to run.
Evaporator
The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is what cools your home. The evaporator can be found within a box connected to your gas furnace or within it (if you have one). If you don’t, the coil is located in an air handler. The evaporator is where the refrigerant turns into a liquid and absorbs heat in your home’s air.
The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant is in low pressure when it reaches the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.
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 reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then 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 efficient air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fans to achieve this objective.
The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant in the liquid is always at the same level. The low-side floating is designed to be open when there is no liquid in the evaporator. It will close when liquid is introduced into the coils.
There are two types of evaporators, noncased and cases-based. A cased evaporator is the one you’ll likely to find in your home since it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar to the cased evaporators, however they do not have a protective outer shell.
While both evaporators have the identical purpose, it’s vital to select a model suitable for the specific requirements of your home. Certain models are more suited to extreme environments, while others may be more appropriate for more moderate conditions. Also, you should think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this could save you time, money and effort in the long time.
Condenser
Condensers are among the three primary 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 by refrigerant lines. It also houses an array of fans and metal fins that remove heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas aids it to cool and then return to liquid form.
A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action increases the temperature, and it is carried into the condenser to absorb latent heat in the air. Once the cooling cycle is complete the refrigerant will be introduced into the compressor to be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.
The condenser unit is exposed to elements since it is outside. Debris like twigs, leaves, grass clippings and roofing shingles may fall into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.
It is also essential to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can lead to higher energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect every major component of your HVAC system will assist in avoiding major problems. In addition having a professional service team check your refrigerant levels regularly can also help to keep any problems from developing. By following these simple steps, you can help to extend the longevity of your heating and cooling system as well as reduce your energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the core of your air conditioner. It pumps refrigerant through the system, keeping everything cool. It’s like the blood that flows through your body as it pumps the coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able to do its job and your house will be extremely hot.
There are a variety of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own pros and cons. For instance the reciprocating compressor features an engine that moves upwards and downwards within a cylinder, and this movement creates suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards, it reduces gas volume. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration to the condenser.
This type of compressor is also equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft which helps the piston compress air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades inside the cylinder to aid in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular choice for homes.
The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to raise temperature of the liquid as it is compressed. This results in a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures, the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils and return to its original liquid state.
While you cannot avoid the occasional problem with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for a long time, and it will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always in good condition. If you do experience a problem with the compressor then your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are best for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it controls the frequency and manner in which the system is turned on and off. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it with an established desired level. If it is off by just a few degrees the thermostat will send an electronic signal to bring it towards the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats utilize a digital sensor called a thermistor to gauge the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates as they heat up and bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature set, it signals to 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. A lot of thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at specific times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to manually set them every day. They also provide reports on energy usage so that you can learn ways to reduce costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model the way that it works is a bit more complicated. It consists of a bimetallic strip that is attached to a vial by mercury. If the temperature changes the mercury in the vial tilts, completing or breaking a circuit. When the vial is tipped it triggers the thermostat to start the cooling or heating system.
You should regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, make sure that it isn’t bent or loose. In some cases, the thermostat may be having trouble with its readings because of an evaporator coil that is dirty or a damaged thermistor. In this instance you’ll need to get an expert to resolve the problem. If you’re experiencing a other issue, like blank displays, try changing your batteries or checking that your breaker is not in a state of being tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you take the time to understand it and optimize its use.