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

It may be worth investing in a replacement unit in the event that your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC professional can help you determine the best solution for your needs.

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

Evaporator

The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is what cools your house. 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 turns into a liquid and then absorbs heat in your home’s air.

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils tightly packed. The refrigerant has a low pressure as it reaches the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows warm indoor air over the coil of the evaporator. This air is cooled as heat is removed from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then moved through your home’s ductwork system to each room which is where it circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system through return ducts.

In contrast to the compressor, which has to create refrigerant gas at high temperatures to allow efficient cooling, the evaporator has to raise its boiling point to a lower temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator makes use of its own fan in order to accomplish this final goal.

The evaporator’s metering device helps to ensure that the refrigerant maintains the same amount of liquid in it. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator, and it closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two main types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator will be the 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 similar however it doesn’t come with the protective outer shell.

While both evaporators have the same purpose, it’s important to select one that is suitable for the specific requirements of your home. For instance, some models are more suited to extreme working environments, while others are more suitable for milder conditions. You should also take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this could save you time, money and hassle in the long in the long.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three major components of your home’s air conditioning system that helps keep it operating efficiently. It is located outside the house, connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to an array of fans and metal fins that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that was transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed allows the refrigerant to reduce in temperature and then transform to a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit and works to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that was transferred from the evaporator. The compressor’s squeeze action increases the temperature, which is then carried into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. When the cooling process is completed, the refrigerant will be pushed into the compressor, where it will be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.

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

It is also essential to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. This can reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This can result in more energy costs and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help to ensure that the condenser is operating effectively. Regularly having a professional technician check all major components of your HVAC system will assist in avoiding major problems. Additionally having an expert service team monitor your refrigerant levels frequently will also help avoid any issues from arising. Follow these easy steps to help extend the life of your heating/cooling system and cut down on energy costs.

Compressor

The compressor is the core of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It’s like the blood of your body when it pumps the coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the condenser and evaporator from completing their tasks and will make your home uncomfortably warm.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, as an example it has a piston that moves upwards and downwards in a cylinder. This produces a suction that draws in refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards, it reduces gas volume. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.

This type of compressor also comes with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor comes with blades that are inside the cylinder, which help compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, which makes it a popular choice for residential applications.

The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This creates a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower-temperature ones the hot vapor is able to move into the evaporator coils, and change back to its original liquid state.

You can avoid most AC problems by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for a long time, and it will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always in good condition. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair option if you have a compressor issue.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it controls when and how the system is turned on and off. It compared the temperature of the air to a pre-set desired level. If it is off by just a few degrees, the thermostat will send an electronic signal that changes it towards the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature by using an electronic sensor referred to as the thermistor. The thermistor consists of two metals that expand differently when heated and cause the metals to flex in an opposite direction. When the thermistor is at the temperature that it is set it sends a signal to the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them simple to operate and program. They can be programmed to automatically heat or cool your home at certain times, which saves you the headache of having to set it every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage so you can learn how to cut back on expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, it’s somewhat more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded to mercury the vial. If the temperature changes the mercury in the vial moves, either complete or breaking a circuit. When the vial is tilted, it triggers the thermostat to start the heating or cooling system.

You should regularly clean your thermostat in order to eliminate dust. Also, make sure it is not crooked or loose. In some instances, the thermostat may be experiencing issues with its readings because of an evaporator coil that is dirty or the thermistor being damaged. In this case you’ll need to call in an expert to fix the problem. If the issue is something else, such as a blank screen it is possible to try changing the batteries or checking that your breaker hasn’t been activated. This is an illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you spend the time to understand it and optimize its use.