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

If your home’s air conditioning is at its peak cost of repair and energy bills can make it worthwhile to invest in an upgrade. A residential HVAC professional can assist you to determine the best solution for your needs.

Most cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, but certain propane or gas-powered air conditioners use natural gas to fuel furnaces and operate condensers in a split system.

Evaporator

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

The evaporator consists of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant is at low pressure when it reaches the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows warm indoor air over the coil of the evaporator. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator, which alters the refrigerant’s temperatures and lowers your indoor air temperature. The cooled air then moves through the ductwork of your home to each room which is where it circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system through return ducts.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve efficient air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help achieve this goal.

The evaporator’s metering device helps to ensure that the refrigerant is at an even amount of liquid inside it. The low-side floating is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid is introduced into the coils.

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

Both evaporators share the same purpose, however it’s important to select one that is able to meet your home’s specific needs. For instance, certain models are more suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are more suitable for milder conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you money, time and hassle.

Condenser

Condensers are one of the three major components of the cooling system in your home. They assist in making it operate efficiently. It is located outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to several metal fins and fans that remove heat from the refrigerant gas that was transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas allows it to cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is connected to an condenser unit. It works to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant which then flows into the condenser coils to absorb heat that is not being absorbed by the air surrounding it. When the cooling process is completed, the refrigerant will be moved into the compressor, where it will be pressurized before being pumped back to the evaporator coil.

The condenser unit is exposed to elements due to its location outside. Leaves and twigs, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles, could cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.

It is also important to avoid shading the condenser. This can reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in more energy costs and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working correctly. A professional service technician look over all of the major components of your system on a regular basis can help to prevent any major problems from occurring. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant levels. Follow these steps to help extend the life of your heating/cooling system and lower your energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It is as the blood that circulates through your body, as it moves coolant 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 be extremely hot.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors and each has its own pros and cons. For instance the reciprocating compressor features an engine that moves between up and down inside the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston is moved down it decreases the gas volume, and then a discharge valve opens to let the refrigerant that is pressurized out into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor also comes with a clutch and crankshaft, which assists the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor comes with blades inside the cylinder to assist in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, making it an ideal choice for residential applications.

Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid as it is being compressed, so 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 before it can return to its liquid state.

You can avoid most AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for years and provide peace of mind that your home will remain 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 the brain of your heating and cooling system, which allows it to regulate when and how it turns on and off. It compared the temperature of the air to a pre-set level. If it is off by just a few degrees, the thermostat will send an electronic signal that changes it closer to the desired temperature. Most modern thermostats use an electronic sensor known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates as they get hot and bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its temperature, it signals the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.

The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them simple to operate and program. They are often programmed to automatically cool or heat your house at specific time frames, which avoids the headache of having to set it every day. They also provide reports on energy consumption so you can learn ways to reduce expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way it operates is a bit more complex. It consists of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial by mercury. If the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial shifts, either completing or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped it triggers the thermostat to turn on the heating or cooling system.

To keep your thermostat in good working order It is essential to clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that has accumulated. Also, you should ensure that it’s not tangled or unbalanced. In some cases the thermostat’s readings may be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In that case, you will require a professional to fix it for you. If you are experiencing a different issue, for instance a blank display Try changing your batteries or checking that your breaker is not in a state of being tripped. This is a great example of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and maximizing its use.