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

If the air conditioning in your home is getting old, high repair costs and energy bills can make it worth investing in 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 to heat and running condensers.

Evaporator

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

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils packed tightly together. The refrigerant is at low pressure when it reaches the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows warm air through the coil that is used to evaporate the air. The air is then cooled as heat is removed from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then moved through your home’s ductwork to every room which is where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system via return ducts.

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to ensure efficient air cooling. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help it in achieving this objective.

The evaporator metering device makes sure that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at an unchanging level. The low-side float is designed to be open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator, and closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two main types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator will be the one you’ll likely to find in your home because it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same but it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.

While both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s important to select a model capable of meeting your home’s unique requirements. For example, some models are more suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited for milder conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can help you save time, money and effort.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three primary parts of your air conditioning system that helps keep it operating efficiently. It is situated outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to a series of metal fins and fans which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transported here from the evaporator. The heat removed allows the refrigerant to be cooled and transform into a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit and is used to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that was pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which then passes into the condenser coils to absorb heat that is not being released from the air surrounding it. Once it has completed its cooling process and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor where it is pressurized again before being pumped to the evaporator coil where the process begins again.

Because the condenser is located outside, it is exposed to the elements. Debris, such as twigs grass clippings, leaves, and roofing shingles may get into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.

Do not shade the condenser. This can reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in higher energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is running correctly. A professional service technician look over all of the major components of your system on a regular basis can help to prevent any major problems from occurring. Additionally having an expert service team monitor your refrigerant levels frequently can also help to prevent any problems from developing. By following these simple steps, you can help to extend the life of your heating and cooling system as well as reduce your energy bills.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, which keeps everything cool. It is like the blood of your body, pumping coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able to do its job, and your home will get extremely hot.

There are a myriad of different kinds of HVAC compressors. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. 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. When the piston moves downwards it decreases the gas volume, and then a discharge valve opens to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor comes with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress the air. A rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder which help compress the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, making it a popular option for residential use.

The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid as it is compressed. This results in an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure liquid. The heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower temperature substances which is why the hot vapor moves to the evaporator before returning to its liquid state.

You can avoid the majority of AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for a long time and will provide you with peace of mind knowing your home is always at ease. If you do have problems with your compressor, 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, enabling it to control the time and frequency at which it 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. 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 get hot and bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature it was set to, it signals to the circuit board that heating or AC should be turned on.

The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to set them manually every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy consumption to help you figure out how to cut back on costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way that it works is a bit more complex. It is composed of a bimetallic band which is bonded with mercury to a vial. When the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial moves, either complete or breaking an electrical circuit. When the vial tips, the thermostat turns on the heating and cooling system.

You must regularly clean your thermostat to get rid of dust. Also, you should ensure that it isn’t sagging or unbalanced. In certain cases the thermostat may be having trouble in its readings due to a dirty evaporator coil or a damaged thermistor. In this scenario, you’ll require a professional to fix the problem for you. If you’re experiencing different problem, such as an unresponsive display, try changing your batteries or making sure that your breaker isn’t tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you take the time to understand it and make the most of its use.