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 old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best solution for your home.
Most cooling systems rely upon electricity to cool and heat homes, but some, such as propane or gas-powered air conditioners, use natural gas to power furnaces and run condensers in split systems.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is a component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator can be found in a box attached to your gas furnace or inside it (if you have one). If you don’t, the evaporator can be found in an air handler. The evaporator is where the refrigerant liquid transforms into a gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.
The evaporator has one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant is in low pressure as it reaches the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.
A fan blows warm air through the coil that is used to evaporate the air. 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 cooled air is then circulated through the ductwork of your home, and then to each room.
Contrary to the compressor, which has to produce refrigerant gas in high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator requires it to bring its boiling point to a low temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator uses its own fan in order to accomplish this objective.
The evaporator’s metering device helps to ensure that the refrigerant maintains an even amount of liquid within it. The float on the low-side is designed to be open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator and closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.
There are two main kinds of evaporators: cases and uncased. The most common kind of evaporator you can find in your home is the one that is cased. It is enclosed within the metal casing that surrounds your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators resemble cases, but they do not have a protective outer shell.
While both evaporators serve the identical purpose, it’s vital to choose a model that’s capable of meeting the requirements of your house. Some models are better suited to extreme environments, while others could be more suitable in more moderate conditions. It is also important to think about 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 among the three main components of the air conditioning system in your home that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It has metal fins and fans that work to remove the heat from the refrigerant which is being transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas helps it cool and turn back into liquid form.
A compressor is attached to an condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which then flows into the condenser coils to take in latent heat from the air around it. After 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 where the process begins all over again.
The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Leaves and twigs, grass clippings, or roofing shingles, can damage the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.
It is also essential to avoid shading the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can lead to more expensive energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is operating properly. Regularly having a professional technician examine the major components of your HVAC system will help prevent major problems. A professional service team can avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant levels. By following these easy steps, you’ll be able to extend the life of your cooling and heating system as well as reduce your energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant through the system, which keeps everything cool. It’s like the blood that flows through your body when it pumps the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it can stop the evaporator and condenser from doing their job and will leave your home warm and uncomfortable.
There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for instance it has a piston that moves upwards and downwards within a piston. This motion produces a suction that draws in refrigerant. When the piston moves downwards it decreases the gas volume, and then a discharge valve is opened to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor has a clutch as well as a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are within the cylinder, which aid in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is very 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 those with lower temperatures, the hot vapor is able to move into the evaporator coils and transform back to its original liquid state.
You can avoid the majority of AC issues by staying on top with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and it will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always at ease. If you do encounter an issue with the compressor then your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repairs are the best for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your cooling and heating system, which allows it to regulate when and how it turns on and off. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it to the desired temperature set by a preset. If it is off by one or two degrees it will send an electronic signal to alter it closer to the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature with a digital sensor known as the thermistor. The thermistor is made up of two metals which expand differently when heated, causing the metals to bend in an opposite direction. When the thermistor is at its set temperature it tells the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.
Newer models of thermostats have touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home according to specific times. This will save you from having to set them manually each day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy consumption so that you can figure out how to reduce costs.
If you have an old electromechanical model, it’s somewhat more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded to mercury a vial. If the temperature changes and the mercury inside a vial shifts, either completing or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it turns on the heating and cooling system.
To ensure that your thermostat is in good condition You must clean it regularly to remove any dust that may have accumulated. You must also ensure that it is not loose or crooked. In some cases the thermostat may be having trouble in its readings due to an evaporator coil that is dirty or a damaged thermistor. In this situation, you’ll have to contact a professional to fix it. If the issue is something else, such as a blank screen it is possible to try changing the batteries or checking that your breaker has not been tripped. This is a good example of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and maximizing its use.