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

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

Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners make use of natural gas to heat and condensers to run.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil inside your air conditioner is what cools your house. The evaporator coil is located in a box that is attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler in the absence of. The evaporator is where refrigerant transforms into a liquid and absorbs heat in your home’s air.

The evaporator is comprised of a few coils of copper which are tightly packed. The refrigerant enters the coils at low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into a gaseous state.

A fan blows warm air through the evaporator coil. The air is then cooled through the removal of heat from the evaporator, which alters the refrigerant’s temperature and reduces your indoor air temperature. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork in your home, and then to each room.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help it in achieving this objective.

The evaporator metering system ensures that the refrigerant in the liquid is always at the same level. The low-side floating is designed to 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 cased. A cased evaporator is the one you’ll most likely to find in your home because it is enclosed inside the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators resemble cased evaporators, but they don’t have an outer shell with protection.

While both evaporators have the same purpose, it’s important to choose a model that’s able to meet the requirements of your house. Certain models are better suited to extreme environments, while others could be better suited to milder conditions. Also, you should think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator, as this could save you time, money and hassle in the long time.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three primary parts of your air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. It is located outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines and contains an array of fans and metal fins that remove heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas allows it to cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been taken from the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant which is then pumped into condenser coils to take in heat that is not being released from the air around it. Once the cooling cycle is completed the refrigerant will be pushed into the compressor to be pressurized prior to being pumped back to the evaporator coil.

Since the condenser is situated outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris such as twigs, grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles too can get into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. The addition of the universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help protect the equipment from damage when it’s not in use.

Beware of shading the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in higher energy bills and a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help to ensure that the condenser is working correctly. A professional service technician examine all of the major components of your system regularly can aid in preventing major issues from occurring. A professional service team can also keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant levels. By following these steps, you’ll be able to extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling system and reduce the cost of energy.

Compressor

A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep everything cool. It’s like the blood in your body, pumping coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able perform its job and your home will be extremely hot.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages. For example the reciprocating compressor features an engine that moves up and down within the cylinder. This motion creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston is moved down it reduces the volume of gas, then a discharge valve opens to let the refrigerant that is pressurized out into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor has blades that are inside the cylinder to help compress the air. This kind of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular choice for homes.

Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the refrigerant’s liquid when it is compressed, so that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances down to lower temperatures which is why the hot vapor will move into the evaporator, and then return to its liquid state.

You can avoid the majority of AC issues by staying on top with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for years and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. If you do encounter problems with your 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 your heating and cooling system’s brain and it decides the frequency and manner in which the system turns on and off. It compares the temperature of the air to a pre-set desired level. If it is off by one or two degrees it will send an electronic signal that changes it to bring it closer to the desired temperature. Most modern thermostats use an electronic sensor known as a thermistor to gauge the temperature. The thermistor consists of two metals which expand differently when heated which causes the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature that it is set it informs the circuit board that heating or AC should be turned on.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to operate and program. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This saves you from having to manually set them each day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage so that you can figure out how to reduce expenses.

If you have an old electromechanical model, it is a little more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic band that is joined to mercury in the vial. When the temperature changes the mercury in the vial shifts, either completing or breaking a circuit. When the vial is tipped, it triggers the thermostat to start the heating or cooling system.

It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat in order to eliminate dust. You should also make sure that it isn’t sagging or crooked. In certain cases, the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In that situation, you’ll require an expert to fix the problem for you. If you’re experiencing different issue, for instance a blank display, try changing your batteries or checking that your breaker is not connected. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you take the time to research it and make the most of its use.