What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It may be worth investing in a new 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 option for your home.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners use natural gas for heating and running condensers.
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 within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, if you don’t. The evaporator is where the refrigerant liquid turns into a gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.
The evaporator is comprised of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed. The refrigerant enters the coils with low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates to gaseous state.
A fan blows the warm air that is escaping your home over the evaporator coil. This air is cooled as heat is taken away from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of the air inside. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork of your home to each room.
Contrary to the compressor, which needs to create refrigerant gas at extremely high temperatures to allow efficient cooling, the evaporator has to bring its boiling point to a low temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help achieve this final goal.
The evaporator metering system ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at the same level. The low-side floating is designed to open if there is no liquid in the evaporator, and close when liquid enters the coils.
There are two main kinds of evaporators: cases and uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’ll most likely to find in your home since it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar however it doesn’t come with the outer shell that protects it.
Both evaporators have the same purpose, however it’s important to select a model that can satisfy your home’s particular needs. Certain models are better suited for extreme environments, whereas others might be better suited to more moderate conditions. It is also important to think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this can save you time, money, and hassle in the long in the long.
Condenser
Condensers are one of the three primary components of your cooling system. They aid in the operation of the system efficiently. The condenser is outside the house and connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of fans and metal fins which help remove heat from the refrigerant that is being transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas allows it to cool and then return to liquid form.
A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant which then passes into the condenser coils, which absorb the heat that is not being released from the air surrounding it. Once it has completed its cooling process the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor where it is again pressurized before being pumped to the evaporator coil where the process begins again.
The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings or roofing shingles, can damage the condenser. The addition of a universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help safeguard the equipment from accidental damage when it isn’t in use.
Do not shade the condenser. This could reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in increased energy costs and potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help to ensure that the condenser is operating effectively. Having a professional service technician examine all of the major components of your system on a regular basis can assist in preventing any major issues from occurring. In addition having a professional service team check your refrigerant levels frequently can help keep any problems from developing. By following these steps, you’ll be able to extend the life of your cooling and heating system and lower your energy bills.
Compressor
A compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit and it circulates refrigerant through the system to keep everything cool. It’s like the blood of your body, pumping the coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with your compressor, it will prevent the evaporator and condenser from completing their tasks and will make your home uncomfortably warm.
There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each one comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. A reciprocating compressor, for instance, has a piston moving upwards and downwards within the cylinder. This motion produces a suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration to the condenser.
This type of compressor also comes with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston in compressing the air. A rotary compressor has blades inside the cylinder, which help compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, which makes it an ideal option for homes with a small space.
The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to raise temperatures of the liquid when it is compressed. This results in an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure liquid. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures, the hot vapor is able to move into the evaporator coils, and change back to its original liquid state.
You can avoid the majority of AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC 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 decide on the best repair options if you have a compressor issue.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, enabling it to control the time and frequency at which it is turned on and off. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it to an established desired level. If it is off by a few degrees it will send an electronic signal that changes it towards the desired temperature. Most modern thermostats use an electronic sensor known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor consists of two different metals that expand at different rates as they warm up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature it was set to, it signals to the circuit board that heating or AC should be turned on.
The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them simple to operate and program. They can be programmed to automatically cool or heat your house at specific times, which eliminates the hassle of having to manually set the temperature each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so you can learn ways to reduce costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model the way that it works is a little more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic band that is joined to mercury in the vial. When the temperature changes it causes the mercury in the vial to shift in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it turns on the heating and cooling system.
It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat to get rid of dust. Also, make sure it isn’t bent or loose. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings could be inaccurate due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In this instance you’ll need to contact an expert to resolve the problem. If the issue is something else, such as blank screens, you can try changing the batteries or checking that your breaker hasn’t been activated. This is a good illustration of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and optimizing its use.