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

If the air conditioning in your home is getting old cost of repair and energy bills can be a reason to consider an upgrade. A residential HVAC professional can help you select the right solution for your needs.

Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners use natural gas for heating and condensers to run.

Evaporator

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

The evaporator is made up of one or more coils of copper that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant enters the coils with low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into a gaseous state.

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

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant down to a low temperature to allow for effective air cooling. The evaporator also has its own fans to help achieve this final goal.

The evaporator metering device makes sure that the refrigerant used in the liquid remains at an unchanging level. The low-side float is designed to be open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators: noncased and cased. A cased evaporator is the one you’re most likely to find in your home since it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cased evaporators, but they do not have an outer shell that is protected.

Although both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s crucial to choose a model that’s suitable for the specific requirements of your home. Certain models are better suited for harsher environments, while others may be more suitable in more moderate conditions. It is also important to take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this can save you time, money and effort in the long run.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three major components of your air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. It is located outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines and contains an array of metal fins and fans that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed helps the refrigerant be cooled and transform into a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit and is used to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been transferred from the evaporator. The compressor’s squeezing action increases the temperature, which is then carried into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. Once it has completed its cooling cycle and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor, where it is pressed again prior to being pumped into the evaporator coil. There, the process begins again.

The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings or even roofing shingles, can cause damage to the condenser. Adding an universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help safeguard the equipment from accidental damage when it’s not in use.

It is also important to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This could result in more expensive energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure that the condenser is working effectively. Regularly having a professional technician inspect every major component of your HVAC system will aid in preventing major issues. Additionally, having an expert service team examine your refrigerant levels regularly can also help to avoid any issues from arising. Follow these steps to extend the life of your heating/cooling system and cut down on energy costs.

Compressor

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

There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. For example the reciprocating compressor is comprised of a piston that moves upwards and downwards within a cylinder, and this action creates suction which draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves down it decreases the volume of gas, and then a discharge valve opens to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor also comes with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston in compressing the air. A Rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, making it an ideal choice for residential applications.

The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to raise temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This results in an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure liquid. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature materials down to lower-temperature substances which is why the hot vapor will travel to the evaporator and return to its liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can avoid the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for years and provide peace of mind that your home will always be comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options should you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it decides the frequency and manner in which the system turns 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. Most modern thermostats use the digital sensor, also known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is comprised of two metals that expand differently when heated up and cause the metals to flex in an opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature it was set to, it signals 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. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically cool and heat your home according to specific times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to set them manually every day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy usage so you can learn how to reduce expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, it’s a little more complicated. It is made up of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial using mercury. When the temperature fluctuates in the vial, it causes the mercury in the vial to shift and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tips, the thermostat turns on the cooling and heating system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good condition It is essential to clean it regularly to remove any dust that has built up. Also, make sure it isn’t crooked or loose. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings might be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this case you’ll have to get an expert to fix the problem. If the problem is something else, such as a blank screen or a blank screen, you can try changing the batteries or ensuring that the breaker hasn’t been activated. This is a good illustration of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and maximizing its use.