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

It could be worthwhile to invest in a replacement unit when your home’s HVAC is a bit old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in choosing the best solution for your home.

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 coil is in a box attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler in the event that you don’t have. The evaporator is where refrigerant transforms into a liquid and absorbs heat in your home’s air.

The evaporator consists of a few copper coils that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant reaches the coils at a low pressure, making it easier for it to transfer heat as it evaporates to a gaseous state.

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

Unlike the compressor, which has to produce refrigerant gas in high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator requires it to bring its boiling point to a lower temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator uses its own fan in order to achieve this final goal.

The evaporator metering system ensures that the refrigerant in the liquid is always at a constant level. The float on the low-side is designed to be open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator, and it closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two main kinds of evaporators: cases and uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’re most likely to see in your home since it is enclosed inside the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators resemble the cased evaporators, however they do not have an outer shell that is protected.

Both evaporators have the same purpose but it’s important 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 to milder conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could help you save time, money and effort.

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 situated outside the house and is connected to the evaporator by refrigerant pipes. It has fans and metal fins which help to remove heat from the refrigerant that was transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas aids it cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action increases the temperature, and it is carried into the condenser to absorb the heat that is 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 starts all over again.

Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles may fall into the condenser unit and damage it. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when it is not in use.

Beware of shading the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in more expensive energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser works effectively. Regularly having a professional technician examine the major components of your HVAC system can help prevent major problems. A professional service team can also prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant levels. Follow these simple steps to prolong the life of your cooling and heating system and reduce energy bills.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning. It pumps refrigerant through the system, which keeps everything cool. It is like the blood that flows through your body, pumping coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it can stop the condenser and evaporator from performing their jobs and will make your home feeling uncomfortable warm.

There are a myriad of different kinds of HVAC compressors. Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, a reciprocating compressor has an engine that moves up and down within a cylinder, and this movement creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston is moved down it reduces the volume of gas, then a discharge valve opens to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.

This kind of compressor also includes a clutch and a crankshaft, which helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor has blades that are inside the cylinder, which help compress the air. This type of compressor is very quiet, making it a popular choice for residential use.

Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the liquid refrigerant when it is compressed, so that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-temperature and high pressure. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils, and change back to its original liquid state.

While you can’t avoid the occasional problem with the compressor, you can stop the majority of AC problems by staying on top of your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for a long time, and will provide you with peace of mind knowing your home is always in good condition. If you do experience a problem with the compressor or the compressor itself, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repairs are the best for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your heating and cooling system, allowing it to control the timing and manner in which it turns off and on. It compared the temperature of the air to a set desired temperature. If it is off by one or two degrees, the thermostat will send an electronic signal to alter it towards the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats employ the digital sensor, also known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is comprised of two metals that expand in different ways when heated which causes the metals to bend in opposite direction. When the thermistor is at its set temperature it sends a signal to the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.

The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. They are usually programmed to automatically cool or heat your house at specific time frames, which avoids the hassle of having to set the temperature each day. Additionally, they offer information on energy usage so that you can figure out how to cut back on expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, it is somewhat more complicated. It is made up of a bimetallic ring that is joined to mercury in the vial. When the temperature changes the mercury in the vial moves, either complete or breaking a circuit. When the vial is tipped, it triggers the thermostat to turn on the heating or cooling system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good working condition, you must be sure to clean it on a regular basis to remove any dust that may have accumulated. Also, you should ensure that it’s not tangled or unbalanced. In some instances, the thermostat may be having trouble with its readings due to a dirty evaporator coil or the thermistor being damaged. If that is the situation, you’ll need to call a professional to fix it. If the issue is something else, such as a blank screen, you can try replacing the batteries or making sure that your breaker hasn’t been activated. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you take the time to understand it and optimize its use.