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

If your home’s HVAC is at its peak, high repair costs and energy bills may be a reason to consider the purchase of 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 condensers that run.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is the one that cools your home. The evaporator coil is in a container that is attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler in the event that you don’t have. The evaporator is where refrigerant transforms into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant enters the coils at low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into gaseous form.

A fan blows the warm air from your home over the coil that is used to evaporate. This air is cooled as heat is taken away from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of the air inside. The cooled air is then moved through your home’s ductwork to each room, where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system through return ducts.

Unlike the compressor, which has to create refrigerant gas at high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator only has to bring its boiling point to a low temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help achieve this goal.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant has a constant level of liquid within it. The low-side floating is designed to open if there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid is introduced into the coils.

There are two types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is one you’re most likely to find in your home because it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like the cased evaporators, however they don’t have an outer shell with protection.

Both evaporators serve the same function, but it’s crucial to select the one that will meet your home’s specific needs. For instance, some models are better suited for harsher working environments, while 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, as this can save you time, money and effort in the long run.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three primary parts of the air conditioning system in your home that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and is connected to the evaporator by refrigerant pipes. It has fans and metal fins which help to remove heat from the refrigerant that has been transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas helps it to cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which then flows into the condenser coils to absorb heat that is not being absorbed by the air around it. After the cooling cycle is completed, the refrigerant will be introduced into the compressor, where it will be pressurized before being pumped back to the evaporator coil.

Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris, such as twigs leaves, grass clippings and even roofing shingles can get into the condenser unit and damage it. A universal HVAC condenser will protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. This could reduce the flow of air, causing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in increased energy costs and potential loss of 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 will assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can also keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to 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 through the system to keep everything cool. It is as the blood flowing through your body, in that it moves the coolant between the condenser and evaporator coils. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able to perform its job and your house will become uncomfortably hot.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own pros and cons. For example, a reciprocating compressor has pistons that move upwards and downwards within a cylinder, and this motion creates suction that draws in refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This type of compressor is also equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston compress air. A Rotary compressor, on other side, has blades within the cylinder which help compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, which makes it a popular option for homes.

The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to raise temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This results in an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure liquid. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils, and return to its original liquid state.

While you can’t avoid the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for a long time and it will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always at ease. If you do encounter problems with your compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are 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 compared the temperature of the air to a pre-set level. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats utilize 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 as they heat up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature that it is set it sends a signal to the circuit board that heating or AC should be turned on.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home according to specific times. This will save you from having to manually set them every day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy consumption so that you can figure out how to cut back on expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the method of operation is a little more complex. It is composed of a bimetallic band that is bonded with mercury to a vial. When the temperature changes and the mercury inside a vial shifts, either completing or breaking 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 You must clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that may have accumulated. Also, you should ensure that it isn’t sagging or bent. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings might be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this case you’ll have to contact a professional to fix the problem. If the problem is something else, such as blank screens, you can try replacing the batteries or checking that the breaker hasn’t been tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you take the time to understand it and improve its use.