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

If your home’s HVAC is in its senior years cost of repair and energy bills can make it worth investing in a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best solution for your home.

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

Evaporator

The evaporator coil inside your air conditioner is the one that cools your house. The evaporator coil can be found in a container that is attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, in the absence of. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant liquid is transformed into a gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.

The evaporator consists of one or more coils of copper that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils with low pressure, making it easier for it to transfer heat as it evaporates into gaseous state.

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

Contrary to the compressor, which needs to make the refrigerant gas at extremely high temperatures to allow efficient cooling, the evaporator has to raise its boiling point to a low temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help it achieve this goal.

The metering device in the evaporator helps to ensure that the refrigerant has an even amount 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 detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two types of evaporators, noncased and cased. A cased evaporator will be the one you’re most likely to find in your home since it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar, except it doesn’t have the protective outer shell.

While both evaporators serve the identical purpose, it’s vital to select one that is capable of meeting your home’s unique requirements. Some models are better suited to harsher environments, while others may be better suited to more moderate conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could help you save time, money and effort.

Condenser

Condensers are one of the three major components of the cooling system in your home. They aid in the operation of the system efficiently. The condenser is located outside the home and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans which help remove heat from the refrigerant which is being transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas aids it cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is attached to a condenser unit. It works to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, and it is carried into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. After the cooling cycle, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor where it is pressed again prior to being pumped into the evaporator coil, where the process starts all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed elements due to its location outside. Debris such as twigs, leaves, grass clippings and roofing shingles too can be thrown into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.

It is also crucial to not shade the condenser. This can reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can lead to more expensive energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working efficiently. Regularly having a professional technician inspect the major components of your HVAC system can aid in preventing major issues. A professional service team can also prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these steps, you’ll be able to extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling system and lower your energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It is like the blood in your body, pumping the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the condenser and evaporator from completing their tasks and will leave your home uncomfortably warm.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has its own pros and cons. A reciprocating compressor, for instance it has a piston that moves upwards and downwards within the cylinder. This motion creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. When the piston moves downwards it decreases the volume of gas, and the discharge valve opens to let the refrigerant that is pressurized out into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor comes with a clutch and a crankshaft, which helps the piston to compress the air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades inside the cylinder, which assist in compressing the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential use.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the refrigerant liquid while it is compressed, ensuring that the vapor that leaves the compressor is high-temperature and high-pressure. It is normal for heat to flow from high-temperature substances to lower temperatures, so the hot vapor moves to the evaporator before returning to its liquid state.

You can prevent most AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for many years and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. If you do encounter problems with your compressor or the compressor itself, 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 determines when and how the system turns on and off. It compares the temperature of the air to a set desired temperature. If it is off by a few degrees the thermostat will send an electronic signal to alter it to bring it closer to the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature using the digital sensor, also known as the thermistor. The thermistor is made up of two metals that expand in different ways when heated up and cause the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature set it sends a signal to the circuit board that your heating or AC should be switched on.

The touchscreens on the latest models make it easier to program and operate. They are often programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at certain times, which eliminates the headache of having to manually set it each day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy consumption so you can learn how to cut down on costs.

If you have an old electromechanical model, it’s slightly more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial by mercury. When temperatures change the mercury in the vial tilts, completing or breaking a circuit. When the vial tips the thermostat, it activates the heating and cooling system.

To keep your thermostat in good condition, you must clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that may have accumulated. Also, make sure that it is not crooked or loose. In certain cases, the thermostat may be having trouble with its readings due to an evaporator coil that is dirty or a damaged thermistor. In this case, you will have to contact a professional to fix it for you. If you’re experiencing different problem, such as blank displays try replacing your batteries or ensuring that your breaker is not in a state of being tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by understanding it and optimizing its use.