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

If your home’s HVAC is in its senior years the high repair costs and energy bills could make it worthwhile to invest in an upgrade. A residential HVAC professional can assist you to choose the best option for your needs.

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

Evaporator

An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a container that is attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler in the absence of. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant turns into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils at a low pressure, which makes it easier for it to transfer heat when it evaporates into a gaseous state.

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

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant down to a low temperature to achieve effective air cooling. The evaporator has its own fans in order to achieve this objective.

The evaporator’s metering device helps to ensure that the refrigerant maintains an even amount of liquid inside it. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators, noncased and cases-based. A cased evaporator is the one you’re most likely to see in your home, since it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same but it doesn’t have the protective outer shell.

Both evaporators have the same purpose, however it’s crucial to select one that is able to satisfy your home’s particular needs. For instance, some models are better suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited for milder conditions. It is also important to think about how easy it will 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 main components of your air conditioning system that helps keep it operating efficiently. The condenser is outside the house and connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It contains metal fins and fans which help to remove heat from the refrigerant that is being transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas helps it to cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that was taken from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeeze action increases the temperature, which is then passed into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. Once it has completed its cooling cycle the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil. There, the process starts all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Leaves and twigs grass clippings or even roofing shingles, can cause damage to the condenser. By adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help safeguard the equipment from damage when it isn’t in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. This could reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This can result in higher energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is operating effectively. A professional service technician look over every major component of your system on a regular basis can aid in preventing major issues from arising. A professional service team can also keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these simple steps, you can help to prolong the longevity of your cooling and heating system and reduce your energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit, and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep everything cool. It’s similar to the blood in your body when it pumps coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails and the evaporator fails, it will not be able to perform its job and your home will be extremely hot.

There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages. For example, a reciprocating compressor has an engine that moves upwards and downwards within a cylinder, and this action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards, it reduces gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress the air. A Rotary compressor, on other hand, has blades inside the cylinder which help compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, making it a popular choice for residential use.

The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This results in a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to lower temperature ones, the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils, and return to its liquid state.

While you cannot avoid the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by staying on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it determines the time and frequency at which the system is turned on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it with an established desired level. If it is off by just a few degrees the thermostat will send an electronic signal to bring it towards the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats utilize an electronic sensor known as a thermistor to measure the temperature. The thermistor consists of two different metals that expand at different rates as they get hot, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature set, it signals to the circuit board that heating or AC should be turned on.

The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. They are often programmed to automatically heat or cool your house at specific time frames, which avoids the effort of having to set it each day. They also provide information on energy usage so that you can learn ways to reduce costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the method of operation is a bit more complicated. It consists of a bimetallic strip that is bonded to a vial using mercury. When the temperature fluctuates in the vial, it causes the mercury inside the vial to tilt in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial tips, the thermostat turns on the heating and cooling system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good working order, you must clean it regularly to remove any dust that may have accumulated. Also, make sure that it isn’t crooked or loose. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this situation you’ll have to call in a professional to fix the problem. If you are experiencing a different issue, for instance a blank display Try changing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and optimizing its use.