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

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

The majority of cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, however some, called gas-powered or propane air conditioners, use natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers within a split system.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil inside your air conditioner is what cools your home. The evaporator is located in a box attached to your gas furnace, or inside it (if you own one). If you don’t have one, the coil can be found in an air handler. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and then absorbs heat in your home’s air.

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

A fan blows the warm air from your home to the coil that is used to evaporate. The air is then cooled as heat is removed from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then circulated through the ductwork in your home to each of the rooms.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to ensure efficient air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fans to accomplish this final goal.

The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at an unchanging 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: noncased and cased. The most common type of evaporator that you will find in your home is a cased model. It is enclosed within the metal casing that surrounds the air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar however it doesn’t come with the outer shell that protects it.

Although both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s crucial to select one that is suitable for the requirements of your house. For example, some models are better suited for more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited for more moderate conditions. It is also important to consider how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this could save you time, money, and hassle in the long in the long.

Condenser

Condensers are among the three primary components of the cooling system in your home. They aid in the operation of the system efficiently. The condenser is situated outside the house and connected to the evaporator through refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans that help remove heat from the refrigerant that is being transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas helps it to cool and turn back into liquid form.

A compressor is connected to an condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which then passes into the condenser coils, which absorb the heat that is not being absorbed by the air surrounding it. After it has completed its cooling process the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is pressurized again before being pumped to the evaporator coil where the process starts all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Debris like twigs or leaves 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 essential to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. Shades can limit air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. A professional service technician examine all of the major components of your system on a regular basis will assist in preventing any major issues from occurring. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant level. Follow these easy steps to help extend the life of your heating and cooling system and lower 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’s similar to the blood that flows through your body, pumping the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. 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 one has its own pros and cons. A reciprocating compressor, as an example it has a piston that moves up and down in the cylindrical. This creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston is moved 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 is also equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress air. A rotary compressor, on the other hand, has blades inside the cylinder that help to compress the air. This type of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular choice for residential use.

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

While you can’t avoid the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can avoid the majority of AC problems by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for years and give you peace-of-mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. If you do have a problem with the compressor or the compressor itself, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining which repair options are most suitable for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brains of your cooling and heating system, allowing it to control the time and frequency at which it is turned on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it to an established desired level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if it’s off a few degrees. Most modern thermostats use an electronic sensor known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates when they warm up and cause them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature set it informs the circuit board that your heating or AC should be switched on.

The touchscreens on the newer models make it easy to program and operate. They are usually programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at certain times, which eliminates the hassle of having to manually set it every day. In addition, they provide information on energy usage so that you can figure out how to reduce expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, it is a little more complicated. It is made up of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial with mercury. When the temperature changes in the vial, it causes the mercury inside the vial to shift, completing or interrupting an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped, it triggers the thermostat to start the heating or cooling system.

To keep your thermostat in good working order It is essential to be sure to clean it on a regular basis to remove any dust that may have accumulated. Also, you should ensure that it isn’t sagging or bent. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings could be inaccurate due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In this instance you’ll need to contact a professional to fix the problem. If the problem is something else, such as blank screens, you can try changing the batteries or checking that your breaker has not been activated. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you spend the time to understand it and make the most of its use.