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 old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the right option for your home.

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

Evaporator

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

The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant enters the coils at low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into a gaseous state.

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

Contrary to the compressor, which has to make the refrigerant gas at high temperatures to allow efficient cooling, the evaporator needs to raise its boiling point to a lower temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fan in order to accomplish this final goal.

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

There are two main types of evaporators: cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is one you’ll most likely to see in your home because it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same, except it doesn’t have the protective outer shell.

Both evaporators have the same function, but it’s important to select a model that can satisfy your home’s particular needs. Some models are more suited to extreme environments, while others may be more suitable in more moderate conditions. Also, you should consider how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator as this can save you time, money and hassle in the long time.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three main components of your air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. It is located outside of the house, connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines and contains a series of metal fins and fans that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that was transferred from the evaporator. The heat removed allows the refrigerant to be cooled and transform into a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit and helps to pressurize the low pressure liquid refrigerant that was taken from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, which is transferred to the condenser unit to absorb heat trapped in the air. After it has completed its cooling process and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor where it is pressurized again before being pumped into the evaporator coil. There, the process begins all over again.

Since the condenser is situated outdoors, it is vulnerable to the elements. Debris like twigs or leaves, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles, can damage the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect every major component of your HVAC system can aid in preventing major issues. A professional service team can also prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these easy steps, you can help to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system as well as reduce your energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It is as the blood that circulates through your body, since it moves coolant back and forth between the condenser and evaporator coils. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it will stop the evaporator and condenser from performing their jobs and will make your home uncomfortably warm.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for example is one that has a piston moving upwards and downwards in a cylinder. This creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston is moved down it reduces the volume of gas, and then a discharge valve is opened to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft which helps the piston compress the 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 an ideal option for residential use.

Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid refrigerant while it is compressed, so that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-pressure and high-temperature. The heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances down to lower temperature substances which is why the hot vapor will travel into the evaporator, and then return to its liquid state.

While you cannot avoid the occasional problem with the compressor, you can stop the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and will provide you with peace of mind knowing your home is always comfortable. If you do experience an issue with the compressor then your Griffith Energy Services technician can help you decide what repair options are best for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it decides when and how the system turns on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it with the desired temperature set by a preset. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if it’s off a few degrees. Most modern thermostats use an electronic sensor known as a thermistor to gauge the temperature. The thermistor is comprised of two metals that expand differently when heated up and cause the metals to bend in an opposite direction. When the thermistor reaches the temperature that it is set it informs the circuit board that your heating or AC should be switched on.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to operate and program. They are often programmed to automatically heat or cool your home at specific time frames, which avoids the effort of having to manually set it each day. They also provide reports on energy consumption so you can discover ways to reduce expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model the method of operation is a bit more complex. It is composed of a bimetallic ring that is joined to mercury in the vial. If the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial tilts, completing or breaking a 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 condition It is essential to clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that has accumulated. Also, make sure it isn’t bent or loose. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this instance, you’ll need to call in a professional to fix the problem. If you’re experiencing a different problem, such as a blank display, try changing your batteries or ensuring that your breaker isn’t tripped. This is an illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient if you make the effort to learn about it and optimize its use.

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