What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It might be worth investing in a new unit if your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the right solution for your home.
Most cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, however some, called gas-powered or propane air conditioners, utilize 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 is located in a box connected to your gas furnace or inside it (if you own one). If you don’t have one, the coil is located in an air handler. The evaporator is where the refrigerant liquid transforms into gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.
The evaporator consists 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 warm indoor air over the evaporator coil. The air is then cooled through the removal of heat from the evaporator, which alters the refrigerant’s temperatures and reduces the temperature of your home’s air. The cooled air then moves through your home’s ductwork to each room and 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 low temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help achieve this goal.
The evaporator metering device makes sure that the refrigerant used in the liquid 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 it detects liquid entering the coils.
There are two types of evaporators, cased and noncased. A cased evaporator is one you’ll likely to find in your home because it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators resemble cases, but they do not have a protective outer shell.
Both evaporators serve the same purpose but it is important to choose a model that can meet your home’s specific needs. Certain models are better suited for more harsh environments, whereas others might be more suitable in milder conditions. Think about how easy it would be to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you time, money and effort.
Condenser
The condenser is among the three main components of the air conditioning system in your home that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is situated outside the home and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It has fans and metal fins which work to remove the heat from the refrigerant which is being transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted allows the refrigerant to cool down and transform back to a liquid state.
A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been transferred from the evaporator. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, and it is transferred to the condenser unit to absorb latent heat in the air. When the cooling process is complete the refrigerant will be introduced into the compressor, where it will be pressurized prior to being pumped back to the evaporator coil.
The condenser unit is exposed elements due to its location outside. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings or even roofing shingles can cause damage to the condenser. 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.
It is also essential to avoid shading the condenser. This could reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in increased energy costs as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is running properly. A professional service technician examine every major component of your system regularly can aid in preventing major problems from occurring. A professional service team can prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these easy steps, you will be able to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and reduce your energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, keeping everything cool. It is as the blood flowing through your body, as it circulates coolant between your evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor fails and the evaporator fails, it will not be able perform its job and your house will get extremely hot.
There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, a reciprocating compressor has a piston that moves upwards and downwards within the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in the refrigerant. As the piston is moved down it decreases the gas volume, and then a discharge valve is opened to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor is also equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress the air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are inside the cylinder, which aid in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, making it an ideal option for homes with a small space.
Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid refrigerant when it is compressed, ensuring that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-temperature and high pressure. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower temperature ones, the hot vapor is able to move into the evaporator coils and transform back to its liquid state.
While you cannot avoid the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and provide peace of mind that your home will always be comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair options if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it determines when and how the system is turned on and off. It compared the temperature of the air to a pre-set level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature using the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates when they get hot, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature it was set to it sends a signal to the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.
Newer models of thermostats have touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. They are usually programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at specific time frames, which avoids the hassle of having to set it each day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage to help you figure out how to cut down on costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model, it’s slightly more complex. It is composed of a bimetallic band which is bonded to mercury a vial. When temperatures change the mercury in the vial tilts, completing or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial tipping, the thermostat turns on the cooling and heating system.
To ensure that your thermostat is in good working condition You must be sure to clean it on a regular basis to remove any dust that has accumulated. Also, make sure it isn’t bent or loose. In certain cases the thermostat could be having issues with its readings because of an evaporator coil that is dirty or a damaged thermistor. In this instance you’ll have to call in an expert to resolve the problem. If you’re experiencing a different issue, for instance blank displays, try changing your batteries or checking whether your breaker has not connected. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you make the effort to understand it and make the most of its use.