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

If the air conditioning in your home is at its peak cost of repair and energy bills could make it worthwhile to invest in a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best option for your home.

The majority of cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, however some, called propane or gas-powered air conditioners, use natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers in split systems.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is the one that cools your home. The evaporator is inside a box that is attached to your gas furnace or inside it (if you own one). If you don’t, the evaporator can be found inside an air handler. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator has one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant reaches the coils at low pressure, which makes it easier for it to transfer heat as it evaporates to a gaseous state.

A fan blows warm air through the coil of the evaporator. This air is cooled when heat is taken away from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then moved through your home’s ductwork system to every room which is where it circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system via return ducts.

Contrary to the compressor, which needs to produce refrigerant gas at high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator only needs to bring its boiling point to a lower temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help it in achieving this final goal.

The evaporator metering device makes sure that the liquid refrigerant is always at the same level. The low-side float is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators, cased and noncased. The most common kind of evaporator you can find in your home is a cased model. It is enclosed within the metal casing that protects the air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar however it doesn’t come with the protective outer shell.

While both evaporators serve the identical purpose, it’s vital to select one that is capable of meeting the requirements of your house. For example, some models are more suited to harsher working environments, while others are better suited for milder conditions. Also, you should take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this can save you time, money and hassle in the long time.

Condenser

Condensers are one of the three primary components of your home’s cooling system. They help it work efficiently. It is situated outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines and contains an array of fans and metal fins that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas aids it cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeeze action increases the temperature, which is carried into the condenser to absorb the heat that is trapped in the air. When the cooling process is complete the refrigerant will be moved into the compressor to be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.

Since the condenser is situated outdoors, it is vulnerable to the elements. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles may be thrown into the condenser unit and damage it. By adding a universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help safeguard the equipment from accidental damage even when it’s not in use.

Do not shade the condenser. This can reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. Having a professional service technician inspect all the major components of your system regularly can assist in preventing any major issues from arising. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant levels. Follow these steps to extend the life of your heating/cooling system and reduce energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It’s like the blood in your body, pumping the coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If something goes wrong with your compressor, it will stop the condenser and evaporator from performing their jobs and will leave your home warm and uncomfortable.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has its own pros and cons. For instance the reciprocating compressor features a piston that moves up and down within the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston is moved down it reduces the volume of gas, then a discharge valve opens to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.

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

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant’s liquid as it is being compressed, ensuring that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-temperature and high pressure. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower-temperature ones the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils before it can transform back to its original liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can stop the majority of AC problems by staying on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time, and will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair option if you experience a compressor problem.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it decides the time and frequency at which the system is turned on and off. It compares the air temperature to a pre-set level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it is off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature by using an electronic sensor referred to as a thermistor. The thermistor consists of two different metals that expand at different rates as they warm up and bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its set temperature it tells the circuit board to start your heating or AC system.

The touchscreens on newer models make it easier to program and operate. A lot of thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to set them manually each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so that you can find ways to cut costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model the way it operates is a little more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded with mercury to the vial. When the temperature fluctuates, it causes the mercury in the vial to move in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial tipping, the thermostat turns on the heating and cooling system.

You must regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. You should also make sure that it is not loose or crooked. In some cases the thermostat may be having issues with its readings due to an evaporator coil that is dirty or the thermistor being damaged. In this instance, you’ll need to contact an expert to resolve the problem. If you’re experiencing other issue, like a blank display try replacing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not tripped. This is an example of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you spend the time to understand it and make the most of its use.