What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It may 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 choose the best solution for your home.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners make use of natural gas to heat and condensers that run.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is a component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator is within a box connected to your gas furnace, or inside it (if you have one). If you don’t, the coil can be found in an air handler. The evaporator is where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat in your home’s air.
The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils tightly packed. The refrigerant has a low pressure when it gets to the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.
A fan blows the warm air from your home to the coil that is used to evaporate. This air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which alters the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers your indoor air temperature. The cooled air is then circulated through the ductwork of your home to each of the rooms.
Contrary to the compressor, which has to make the refrigerant gas in high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator has to raise its boiling point to a lower temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator also has its own fans to help to achieve this objective.
The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant has a constant level of liquid within it. The float on the low-side is designed to be open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator, and it closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.
There are two kinds of evaporators: noncased and cases-based. The most popular type of evaporator that you will find in your home is a cased model. It is enclosed within the casing made of metal that covers your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar, except it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.
Both evaporators have the same purpose but it’s crucial to select the one that will meet your home’s specific needs. For example, some models are more suited to harsher working environments, while others are better suited for milder conditions. Think about how easy it would be to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you time, money and hassle.
Condenser
The condenser is one of three main components of the air conditioning system in your home which helps to keep it running efficiently. It is situated outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines and contains several fans and metal fins which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed helps the refrigerant to be cooled and transform to liquid form.
A compressor is connected to an condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which is then pumped into condenser coils, which absorb the heat that is not being absorbed by the air surrounding it. When the cooling process is completed the refrigerant is pushed into the compressor to be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.
The condenser unit is exposed to the elements because it is outside. Debris such as twigs, grass clippings, leaves, and roofing shingles too can get into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. By adding an universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help protect the equipment from damage when it isn’t in use.
It is also crucial to not shade the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs and a potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating efficiently. Regularly having a professional technician examine all major components of your HVAC system will aid in preventing major issues. In addition having an expert service team monitor the refrigerant levels on a regular basis will also help avoid any issues from arising. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to prolong the longevity of your heating and cooling system as well as reduce 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 as the blood that circulates through your body, as it moves coolant between your evaporator and condenser coils. If something goes wrong with your compressor, it can stop the condenser and evaporator from doing their job and leave your home uncomfortably warm.
There are many different types of HVAC compressors, and each one has distinct advantages and disadvantages. For example, a reciprocating compressor has an engine that moves upwards and downwards within the cylinder. This movement creates suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves down, it reduces the volume of gas, and the discharge valve opens to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor is also equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress air. A rotary compressor has blades that are inside the cylinder, which aid in compressing the air. This type of compressor is extremely 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 liquid. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature materials down to lower temperatures which is why the hot vapor will travel to the evaporator before returning to its liquid state.
You can prevent most AC problems by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for many years, and will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home is always in good condition. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options if you have a compressor issue.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it determines the frequency and manner in which the system turns on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it to an established desired level. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats employ the digital sensor, also known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two metals that expand in different ways when heated up, causing 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.
The touchscreens on newer models make it easier to program and operate. They are often programmed to automatically cool or heat your house at specific time frames, which avoids the headache of manually setting it each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so that you can learn ways to reduce costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model the way that it works is a bit more complex. It consists of a bimetallic strip which is bonded to a vial using mercury. If the temperature changes, it causes the mercury inside the vial to tilt in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial tips the thermostat, it activates the heating and cooling system.
To ensure that your thermostat is in good condition You must clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that may have accumulated. You must also ensure that it’s not tangled or bent. In certain cases the thermostat may be having trouble with its readings due to an evaporator coil that is dirty or a damaged thermistor. If that is the case, you will need to call an expert to fix it. If you’re experiencing other issue, like an unresponsive display try replacing your batteries or making sure that your breaker isn’t tripped. This is an example of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you take the time to learn about it and improve its use.