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

It could be worthwhile to invest in a new unit in the event that your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert 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 can be found within a box attached to your gas furnace or inside it (if you have one). If you don’t, the coil can be found in an air handler. The evaporator is where refrigerant transforms into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator has one or more copper coils that are packed tightly together. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils with low pressure, making it easier for it to transfer heat when it evaporates into gaseous state.

A fan blows your home’s warm air through the coil of the evaporator. The air is then cooled through the removal of heat from the evaporator, which alters the refrigerant’s temperatures and lowers the temperature of your home’s air. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork in your home to each room.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator makes use of its own fans in order to accomplish this final goal.

The evaporator metering system ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at a constant level. The low-side floating is designed to open if there is no liquid in the evaporator. It will close when liquid enters the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators, cased and noncased. A cased evaporator will be the one you’re most likely to find in your home because it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar to cases, but they do not have a protective outer shell.

While both evaporators have the same purpose, it’s crucial to select a model able to meet the specific requirements of your home. For instance, certain models are better suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited for more moderate 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 run.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three primary parts of the air conditioning system in your home which helps to keep it running efficiently. It is located outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines. It also houses an array of fans and metal fins that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transferred from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas aids it to cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is connected to a condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant which then flows into the condenser coils to take in heat that is not being absorbed by the surrounding air. Once the cooling cycle 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 elements due to its location outside. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings, grass clippings, or roofing shingles, could cause damage to the condenser. By adding an universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help safeguard the equipment from damage when it isn’t in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. This can impede air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in increased energy costs and potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. Having a professional service technician look over all the major components of your system regularly can assist in preventing any major problems from occurring. Additionally having a professional service team check your refrigerant levels regularly can also help to avoid any issues from arising. By following these easy steps, you can help to prolong the life of your cooling and heating system as well as reduce the cost of energy.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It is like the blood in your body, pumping coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able to do its job and your home will become uncomfortably hot.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance the reciprocating compressor features an engine that moves upwards and downwards within a cylinder, and this motion creates suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downward it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration to the condenser.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress air. A rotary compressor has blades that are inside the cylinder, which aid in compressing the air. This type of compressor is quiet, making it an ideal option for residential use.

The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to increase the temperatures of the liquid when 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 move into the evaporator, and then return to its liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for many years and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. If you do experience problems with your compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining which repair options are best for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it controls the time and frequency at which the system turns on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it to a preset desired level. If it is off by just a few degrees it will send an electronic signal that changes it closer to the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats utilize an electronic sensor known as a thermistor to gauge the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates as they warm up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature set, it signals to the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.

The touchscreens on the newer models make it simple to program and operate. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This will save you from having to set them manually each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so you can find ways to cut costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, it’s somewhat more complicated. It is made up of a bimetallic band that is bonded with mercury to a vial. When the temperature changes in the vial, it causes the mercury inside the vial to move in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tilted it triggers the thermostat to activate the cooling or heating system.

It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat to get rid of dust. Also, you should ensure that it is not loose or crooked. In certain cases the thermostat may be having issues with its readings because of an unclean evaporator coil or a damaged thermistor. In this situation you’ll have to contact a professional to fix the problem. If you are experiencing a different problem, such as a blank display try replacing your batteries or ensuring that your breaker isn’t in a state of being tripped. This is a great example of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by understanding it and maximizing its use.