What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
If your home’s air conditioning is at its peak cost of repair and energy bills can make it worthwhile to invest in an upgrade. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best 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 component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator can be found within a box connected to your gas furnace, or inside it (if you own one). If you don’t, the coil can be found inside an air handler. The evaporator is where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat from the air inside your home.
The evaporator is made up of one or more copper coils that are tightly packed. The refrigerant has a low pressure when it gets to the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.
A fan blows the warm air from your home to the evaporator coil. The air is then cooled through the removal of heat from the evaporator, which changes the refrigerant’s temperature and reduces your indoor air temperature. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork in your home to each of the rooms.
The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve efficient air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fan in order to accomplish this goal.
The evaporator’s metering device helps to ensure that the refrigerant is at an even amount of liquid inside it. The low-side floating is designed to be open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid enters the coils.
There are two kinds of evaporators, noncased and cases-based. A cased evaporator is one you’ll likely to see in your home, since it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators resemble the cased evaporators, however they do not have a protective outer shell.
While both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s important to choose a model that’s capable of meeting the specific requirements of your home. For instance, some models are more suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are more suitable for milder conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can save you time, money and hassle.
Condenser
Condensers are among the three main components of your cooling system. They assist in making it operate efficiently. The condenser is located outside the home and is connected to the evaporator by refrigerant pipes. It has fans and metal fins which help to remove heat from the refrigerant which was transported from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted helps the refrigerant cool down and transform back to a liquid state.
A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been transferred from the evaporator. The squeeze action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant which then flows into the condenser coils to absorb heat that is not being absorbed by the surrounding air. Once it has completed its cooling cycle, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil, where the process starts all over again.
Because the condenser is located outside, it is exposed to the elements. Leaves and twigs grass clippings, grass clippings, or roofing shingles, can cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser will protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.
It is also essential to not shade the condenser. This could reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could lead to higher energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help to ensure that the condenser works correctly. Regularly having a professional technician examine all major components of your HVAC system can assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant levels. Follow these easy steps to prolong the life of your cooling and heating system and reduce energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the core of your air conditioner. It pumps refrigerant through the system, keeping everything cool. It is like the blood that flows through your body when it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the condenser and evaporator from doing their job and will leave your home uncomfortably warm.
There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. For example the reciprocating compressor features a piston that moves upwards and downwards within the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards, it reduces gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to release the pressurized refrigeration to the condenser.
This type of compressor is 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 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 leaves 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, and return to its liquid state.
While you cannot avoid the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for years and give you peace-of-mind knowing that your home will always be comfortable. If you do encounter an issue with the 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 controls the frequency and manner in which the system is turned on and off. It compares the air temperature to a set desired temperature. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if it’s off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats employ 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 get hot, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its set temperature, it signals the circuit board to start your heating or AC system.
The touchscreens on newer models make it easier to program and operate. They are often programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at specific times, which saves you the effort of manually setting the temperature each day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy consumption to help you figure out how to cut down on expenses.
If you have an older electromechanical model the method of operation is a bit more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded with mercury to the vial. If the temperature changes in the vial, it causes the mercury in the vial to shift, completing or interrupting an electrical 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 it isn’t bent or loose. In some cases the thermostat’s readings may be inaccurate due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. If that is the case, you will have to contact an expert to fix it. If you are experiencing a different issue, for instance blank displays try replacing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not in a state of being tripped. This is a good example of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you take the time to research it and optimize its use.