What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
If the air conditioning in your home is getting old the high repair costs and energy bills could make it worth investing in the purchase of a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the right solution for your home.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners use natural gas for heating and condensers that run.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is a component of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil can be found in a box that is attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or inside an air handler in the event that you don’t have. The evaporator is where the refrigerant liquid turns into a gas and absorbs heat from your home’s indoor air.
The evaporator consists of one or more coils of copper that are tightly packed. The refrigerant enters the coils with low pressure, making it easier for it to transfer heat as it evaporates to gaseous state.
A fan blows the warm air from your home over the coil that is used to evaporate. This air is cooled when heat is taken away from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of the air inside. The cool air is circulated through the ductwork of your home to each room.
Unlike the compressor, which requires to produce refrigerant gas in high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator requires it to raise its boiling point to a low temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator makes use of its own fans in order to achieve this objective.
The evaporator metering system ensures that the liquid refrigerant remains at an unchanging level. The low-side floating is designed to open if there is no liquid in the evaporator, and close when liquid gets into the coils.
There are two types of evaporators, noncased and cased. 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. Uncased evaporators are like cased evaporators, but they do not have a protective outer shell.
Although both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s crucial to select one that is able to meet your home’s unique requirements. Some models are better suited for harsher environments, while others may be more appropriate for milder conditions. It is also important to take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator as this could save you time, money and hassle in the long run.
Condenser
The condenser is one of three primary parts of your home’s air conditioning system that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It has fans and metal fins which help to remove heat from the refrigerant which has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed helps the refrigerant to be cooled and transform to a liquid state.
A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which then passes into the condenser coils to take in heat that is not being absorbed by the surrounding air. After the cooling cycle is completed, the refrigerant will be introduced 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 such as twigs, grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles too can fall into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.
Beware of shading the condenser. This can impede air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This could result in more expensive energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect the major components of your HVAC system will help prevent major problems. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant levels. By following these simple steps, you will be able to extend the longevity of your heating and cooling system as well as reduce your energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the main component of your air conditioning. It pumps refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It’s like the blood in your body when it pumps coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able perform its job, and your home will get extremely hot.
There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, as an example it has a piston that moves upwards and downwards within a cylinder. This movement creates a suction that draws in refrigerant. When the piston moves downwards, it reduces the gas volume, and the discharge valve opens to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor also comes with a clutch and crankshaft, which assists the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor, on the other hand, has blades inside the cylinder which help compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, making it a popular choice for residential applications.
Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the refrigerant liquid while it is compressed, ensuring that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-temperature and high-pressure. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to lower temperature ones, the hot vapor is able to move into the evaporator coils and transform back to its 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 many years and give you peace-of-mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. If you do encounter a problem with the compressor then your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are most suitable for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it determines the time and frequency at which the system is turned on and off. It reads the air temperature and compares it to the desired temperature set by a preset. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature using an electronic sensor referred to as a thermosistor. The thermistor is comprised of two metals which expand differently when heated which causes the metals to bend in opposite direction. When the thermistor reaches its temperature it sends a signal to the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.
Newer models of thermostats have touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. They can be programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at specific time frames, which avoids the headache of manually setting the temperature each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so that you can find ways to cut costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model the way it operates is a bit more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic band that is bonded with mercury to the vial. If the temperature changes, it causes the mercury in the vial to move in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it activates the cooling and heating system.
You should regularly clean your thermostat to get rid of dust. You should also make sure that it isn’t sagging or crooked. In some cases the thermostat’s readings might be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this situation, you’ll require a professional to fix it. If the issue is something else, such as a blank screen or a blank screen, you can try replacing the batteries or making sure that your breaker has not been tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and optimizing its use.