What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It might be worth investing in a replacement unit if your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in choosing the best option for your home.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners make use of natural gas for heating and condensers that run.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a box attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler if you don’t. The evaporator is where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and then absorbs heat in your home’s air.
The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils packed tightly together. The refrigerant is in low pressure when it gets to the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.
A fan blows warm air through the coil of the evaporator. This air is cooled when heat is taken away from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then moved through your home’s ductwork to every room, where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system via return ducts.
The evaporator, unlike the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve effective air cooling. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help it to achieve this objective.
The metering device in the evaporator helps to ensure that the refrigerant has 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 enters the coils.
There are two primary types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is one you’ll likely to find in your home since it is enclosed inside the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cases, but they do not have an outer shell that is protected.
Both evaporators have 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 extreme working environments, while others are better suited to more moderate conditions. You should also think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator, as this can save you time, money and effort in the long run.
Condenser
The condenser is one of three primary parts of your home’s air conditioning system that help keep it working efficiently. It is located outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines and contains a series of metal fins and fans that remove heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transported here from the evaporator. The heat removed helps the refrigerant cool down and transform back into a liquid state.
A compressor is connected to an condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration 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 latent heat from the surrounding air. When the cooling process is complete the refrigerant is moved into the compressor to be pressurized prior to being pumped back to the evaporator coil.
The condenser unit is exposed the elements because it is outside. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles can cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.
Beware of shading the condenser. This can reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This could result in higher energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure that the condenser is operating properly. Having a professional service technician look over all of the major components of your system on a regular basis can aid in preventing major problems from occurring. In addition having a professional service team check the refrigerant levels on a regular basis can also help to prevent any problems from developing. Follow these easy steps to extend the life of your heating/cooling system and cut down on energy costs.
Compressor
A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant through the system to keep everything cool. It’s as the blood flowing through your body, as it circulates coolant back and forth between your evaporator and condenser coils. If something goes wrong with your compressor, it will prevent the evaporator and condenser from completing their tasks and leave your home feeling uncomfortable warm.
There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages. For instance the reciprocating compressor is comprised of pistons that move up and down within the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards, it reduces gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to release the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.
This type of compressor is also equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential use.
Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid when it is compressed, ensuring that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils and return to its liquid state.
While you cannot avoid the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can avoid the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for many years and provide peace of mind that your home will remain comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you determine the best repair option if you have a compressor issue.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, allowing it to decide the timing and manner in which it turns off and on. It compares the air temperature to a pre-set desired level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it is off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature using the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates as they heat up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches its temperature set it tells the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.
The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This saves you from having to manually set them each day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy consumption to help you figure out how to cut down on expenses.
If you have an older electromechanical model, the way that it works is a little more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic strip which is attached to a vial with mercury. When the temperature changes in the vial, it causes the mercury in the vial to shift and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped, it triggers the thermostat to activate the cooling or heating system.
To ensure that your thermostat is in good working order, you must clean it regularly to remove any dust that has built up. You must also ensure that it is not loose or crooked. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this case, you’ll need to get an expert to fix the problem. If you’re experiencing different issue, for instance an unresponsive display Try changing your batteries or making sure whether your breaker has not connected. This is a good example of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and maximizing its use.