What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It might be worth investing in a new unit in the event that your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best option for your home.
The majority of cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, however some, such as gas-powered or propane air conditioners, use natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers in split systems.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is a component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a container that is attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or inside an air handler if you don’t. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat in your home’s air.
The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils packed tightly together. The refrigerant has a low pressure as it reaches the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.
A fan blows the warm air from your home over the evaporator coil. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator, which alters the refrigerant’s temperatures and reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air then moves through your home’s ductwork system to each room, where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system through return ducts.
Unlike the compressor, which requires to produce refrigerant gas in high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator only has to bring its boiling point to a low temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fan in order to achieve this final goal.
The evaporator metering device ensures that the liquid refrigerant remains at an unchanging level. The low-side floating is designed to open if there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid enters the coils.
There are two types of evaporators: cased and uncased. A cased evaporator will be the one you’ll likely to find in your home, since it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar however it doesn’t come with the outer shell that protects it.
While both evaporators serve the identical purpose, it’s vital to select a model suitable for your home’s unique requirements. Some models are more suited to extreme environments, while others may be better suited to more moderate conditions. It is also important to 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
Condensers are one of the three main components of your home’s cooling system. They assist in making it operate 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 remove heat from the refrigerant which was transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed helps the refrigerant to cool down and transform back to a liquid state.
A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It helps to pressurize the low pressure liquid refrigerant that was pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which then flows into the condenser coils to absorb latent heat from the air around it. After the cooling process, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor where it is pressed again prior to being pumped to the evaporator coil where the process begins again.
Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris such as twigs, grass clippings, leaves, and roofing shingles may be thrown into the condenser unit and damage it. By adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help to protect the equipment from accidental damage even when it’s not in use.
Beware of shading the condenser. This can reduce the flow of air, causing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is operating correctly. Regularly having a professional technician check every major component of your HVAC system can aid in preventing major issues. Additionally, having an expert service team examine your refrigerant levels frequently can help avoid any issues from arising. By following these easy steps, you will be able to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and lower your energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning. It pumps refrigerant through the system, which keeps everything cool. It’s like the blood of your body, pumping the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails and the evaporator fails, it will not be able to do its job and your house will get extremely hot.
There are a myriad of different kinds of HVAC compressors. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. For instance, a reciprocating compressor has a piston that moves between up and down inside a cylinder, and this movement creates suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves 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 helps the piston compress the air. A Rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This type of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential applications.
The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to raise temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This results in a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower temperature ones the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils, and change back to its original liquid state.
You can prevent most AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for years and give you peace-of-mind knowing that your home will always be comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you determine the best repair option if you have a compressor issue.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it decides the frequency and manner in which the system is turned on and off. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it to an established desired level. If it is off by a few degrees it will send an electronic signal to alter 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 is composed 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 informs the circuit board that your heating or AC should be turned on.
Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them simple to operate and program. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at specific times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to manually set them each day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy consumption to help you figure out how to reduce costs.
If you have an old electromechanical model, it’s slightly more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic band that is joined to mercury in the vial. If the temperature changes the mercury in the vial tilts, completing or breaking a circuit. When the vial tipping the thermostat, it turns on the heating and cooling system.
To ensure that your thermostat is in good working order You must be sure to clean it on a regular basis to remove any dust that has built up. Also, make sure that it is not crooked or loose. In certain cases, the thermostat’s readings may be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this situation, you’ll need to contact a professional to fix the problem. If the issue is something else, such as an unresponsive screen or a blank screen, you can try changing the batteries or making sure that your breaker hasn’t been tripped. This is an example of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you spend the time to research it and optimize its use.