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 referred to as propane air conditioners use natural gas for heating and condensers that run.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is the one that cools your house. The evaporator coil is in a box attached to or inside 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 turns into gas and absorbs heat from your home’s indoor air.

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant reaches the coils at a low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates into gaseous form.

A fan blows warm air from your home over the coil that is used to evaporate. The air is then cooled as heat is removed from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork of your home, and then to each room.

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator also has its own fans to help in achieving this objective.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant has a constant level of liquid in it. The low-side float is designed to be open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator and closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two types of evaporators, noncased and cases-based. A cased evaporator is one you’re most likely to see in your home since it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cases, but they don’t have a protective outer shell.

Both evaporators have the same purpose, however it’s crucial to select a model that can meet your home’s specific needs. For instance, some models are more suited to harsher working environments, while others are more suitable for milder conditions. Think about how easy it would be to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could help you save time, money and hassle.

Condenser

Condensers are one of the three main components of your cooling system. They assist in making it operate efficiently. It is situated outside of the house, connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines and contains several fans and metal fins which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transferred from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas aids it cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It helps to pressurize the low pressure refrigerant liquid that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which is then pumped into condenser coils to take in heat that is not being released from the surrounding air. After it has completed its cooling process, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor, where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil, where the process begins all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed the elements because it is outside. Debris such as leaves or twigs grass clippings, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles can damage the condenser. The addition of the universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help safeguard the equipment from damage even when it’s not in use.

It is also crucial to avoid shading the condenser. This can impede air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This could result in higher energy bills and a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is operating effectively. Having a professional service technician examine all the major components of your system on a regular basis will help to prevent any major issues from occurring. In addition, having an expert service team monitor your refrigerant levels regularly will also help avoid any issues from arising. Follow these steps to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and reduce energy bills.

Compressor

The compressor is the main component of your air conditioner. It pumps refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. You can think of it as the blood flowing through your body, since it moves coolant back and forth between your evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able to perform its job, and your home will get extremely hot.

There are a variety of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own pros and cons. A reciprocating compressor, as an example, has a piston moving upwards and downwards in the cylinder. This motion produces a suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downward it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve then opens to release the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft that helps the piston compress air. A rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder which help compress the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, making it a popular option for homes with a small space.

Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant’s liquid as it is being compressed, so that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower temperature substances, so the hot vapor will move to the evaporator before returning to its liquid state.

You can avoid the majority of AC issues by staying on top with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and provide peace of mind that your home will remain comfortable. If you do encounter problems with your compressor then your Griffith Energy Services technician can help you decide what repair options are most suitable for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, which allows it to control when and how it turns off and on. It determines the temperature of the air and compares it to an established desired level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if it’s off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature by using a digital sensor known as the thermosistor. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates when they heat up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its temperature, it signals the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.

Newer models of thermostats have touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. A lot of thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home according to specific times. This saves you from having to set them manually every day. They also provide reports on energy consumption so you can find ways to cut expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, it’s slightly more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is joined to mercury in a vial. When the temperature fluctuates in the vial, it causes the mercury inside the vial to move, completing or interrupting an electrical 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. You must also ensure that it is not loose or bent. In some instances, the thermostat may 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 get an expert to resolve the issue. If you are experiencing a different issue, for instance a blank display try replacing your batteries or ensuring that your breaker is not tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you spend the time to research it and improve its use.