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

If your home’s air conditioning is at its peak the high repair costs and energy bills can make it worthwhile to invest in the purchase of a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can help you determine the best solution for your needs.

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

Evaporator

An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator is located within a box attached to your gas furnace or within it (if you have one). If you don’t have one, the coil is located in an air handler. 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 that are packed tightly together. The refrigerant enters the coils at low pressure, making it easier for it to transfer heat as it evaporates to gaseous form.

A fan blows warm air from your home over the coil that is used to evaporate. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which changes the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air then moves through the ductwork of your home to every room which is where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system via return ducts.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to achieve efficient air cooling. The evaporator also has its own fans to help it achieve this final goal.

The evaporator metering device makes sure that the liquid refrigerant is always at an unchanging level. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when detects liquid entering 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 because it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cased evaporators, but they don’t have an outer shell that is protected.

While both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s crucial to select a model suitable for your home’s unique requirements. For example, some models are more suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are more suitable for more moderate conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could help you save time, money and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three primary parts of your home’s air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. The condenser is located outside the home and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It has metal fins and fans that work to remove the heat from the refrigerant that has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas helps it cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is connected to an condenser unit. It works to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeezing 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 absorbed by the surrounding air. 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 leaves or twigs grass clippings or even roofing shingles, could cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.

Do not shade the condenser. This can impede air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can 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 inspect all major components of your HVAC system will assist in avoiding major problems. Additionally, having an expert service team monitor the refrigerant levels on a regular basis can help prevent any problems from developing. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to extend the longevity of your cooling and heating system as well as reduce your energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit and it circulates refrigerant through the system to keep it cool. It’s similar to the blood of your body as it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able perform its job and your house will become uncomfortably hot.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors, and each one has distinct advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, as an example it has a piston that moves upwards and downwards in a piston. This movement produces a suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve then opens to release the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.

This kind of compressor also has a clutch as well as a crankshaft that helps the piston in compressing the air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are within the cylinder, which assist in compressing the air. This type of compressor is quiet, which makes it an ideal option for homes with a small space.

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

You can avoid most AC issues by staying on top with your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for many years, and it will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always at ease. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair option if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, allowing it to regulate when and how it turns on and off. It compares the temperature of the air to a pre-set desired level. If it is off by a few degrees the thermostat will send an electronic signal that changes it towards the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature using an electronic sensor referred to as a thermistor. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates when they get hot and cause them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its temperature it sends a signal to the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on the latest models make it easy to program and operate. They can be programmed to automatically cool or heat your house at specific times, which eliminates the headache of having to set the temperature each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so you can find ways to cut costs.

If you have an old electromechanical model, it’s somewhat more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic strip which is bonded to a vial with mercury. When the temperature changes, it causes the mercury inside the vial to shift and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts, the thermostat turns on the heating and cooling system.

You should regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, make sure it isn’t bent or loose. In certain cases the thermostat may be having trouble with its readings because of an unclean evaporator coil or a damaged thermistor. In this situation, you’ll need to get an expert to resolve the problem. If you’re experiencing different issue, for instance blank displays try replacing your batteries or ensuring that your breaker isn’t connected. This is a good example of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and optimizing its use.