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

It might be worth investing in a new unit when your home’s HVAC is old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC expert can help you determine the best solution for your needs.

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

Evaporator

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

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils tightly bonded. The refrigerant has a low pressure when it gets to the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows your home’s warm indoor air over the evaporator coil. This air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator, which alters the refrigerant’s temperatures and lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cool air then flows through the ductwork of your home to every room and 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 to a lower temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help to achieve this final goal.

The evaporator metering system ensures that the liquid refrigerant remains at an unchanging level. The low-side float is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two main types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’ll likely to find in your home because it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cased evaporators, but they don’t have an outer shell that is protected.

While both evaporators have the identical purpose, it’s vital to select one that is able to meet your home’s unique requirements. For instance, some models are better suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited for milder conditions. It is also important to take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this can save you time, money and effort in the long in the long.

Condenser

Condensers are one of the three primary components of your cooling system. They help it work efficiently. The condenser is situated outside the house and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of fans and metal fins which help to remove heat from the refrigerant that was transported from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted allows the refrigerant to be cooled and transform to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It helps to pressurize the low pressure refrigerant liquid that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which is then pumped into condenser coils to take in heat that is not being absorbed by the air surrounding it. Once it has completed its cooling process and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor, where it is pressed again prior to being pumped to the evaporator coil, where the process starts all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed to the elements because it is outside. Debris, such as twigs leaves, grass clippings and roofing shingles may get into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. By adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help to protect the equipment from accidental damage when it’s not in use.

Beware of shading the condenser. This can reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs and possibility of losing refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working correctly. Regularly having a professional technician examine the major components of your HVAC system can assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can also prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant levels. By following these steps, you can help to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and reduce your energy bills.

Compressor

The compressor is the main component of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, which keeps everything cool. It’s as the blood that circulates through your body, since it circulates coolant back and forth between your condenser and evaporator coils. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will stop the condenser and evaporator from doing their job and leave your home warm and uncomfortable.

There are a myriad of different kinds of HVAC compressors. Each one has its own advantages and drawbacks. For instance the reciprocating compressor features an engine that moves between up and down inside the cylinder. This motion creates suction that 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 is equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress the air. A Rotary compressor, on other hand, has blades inside the cylinder which help compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, which makes it a popular option for homes.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid refrigerant when it is compressed, so that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. The heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances down to lower temperature substances which is why the hot vapor moves to the evaporator before returning to its liquid state.

While you can’t avoid the occasional problem with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for many years and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will always be comfortable. If you do experience problems with your compressor or the compressor itself, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are best for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your heating and cooling system, enabling it to regulate when and how it turns off and on. It determines the temperature of the air and compares it with a preset desired level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if it is off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature with an electronic sensor referred to as the thermosistor. The thermistor consists of two metals which expand differently when heated, causing the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches its set temperature it tells the circuit board to switch on your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on the newer models make it easier to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at specific times. This will save you from having to set them manually every day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy usage so you can learn how to cut back on costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model the method of operation is a bit more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial with mercury. When the temperature fluctuates in the vial, it causes the mercury inside the vial to move and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it turns on the heating and cooling system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good working condition It is essential to clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that may have accumulated. You must also ensure that it is not loose or bent. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. If that is the situation, you’ll require a professional to fix it. If you’re experiencing a different issue, for instance a blank display try replacing your batteries or checking whether your breaker has not connected. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you make the effort to research it and make the most of its use.