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

It could be worthwhile to invest in a replacement unit in the event that your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the best solution for your home.

Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners make use of natural gas to heat and running condensers.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil in your air conditioner is the one that cools your house. The evaporator can be found within a box connected 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 turns into a liquid, and absorbs heat in your home’s air.

The evaporator is made up of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant reaches the coils with low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates to gaseous form.

A fan blows the warm air that is escaping your home over the evaporator coil. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which changes the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers your indoor air temperature. The cooled air then moves through your home’s ductwork to every room which is where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system through return ducts.

Unlike the compressor, which has to make the refrigerant gas at high temperatures to allow efficient cooling, the evaporator only needs to raise its boiling point to a low temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator has its own fans in order to achieve this final goal.

The evaporator metering device makes sure that the liquid refrigerant remains at the same level. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator, and it closes when detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’ll 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 outer shell that protects it.

While both evaporators have the same purpose, it’s important to select a model able to meet the specific requirements of your home. For example, some models are more suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are more suitable for more moderate conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you money, time and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three major components of the air conditioning system in your home which helps to keep it running efficiently. The condenser is situated outside the house and connected to the evaporator through refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans which work to remove the heat from the refrigerant which is being transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas helps it to cool and turn back into liquid form.

A compressor is attached to a condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant which then flows into the condenser coils to absorb latent heat from the air surrounding it. After the cooling cycle, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor, where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil. There, the process begins all over again.

The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Debris, such as twigs grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles too can be thrown into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser will protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.

Do not shade the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can result in higher energy bills as well as a loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. Regularly having a professional technician examine all major components of your HVAC system will help prevent major problems. A professional service team can also keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these steps, you can help to extend 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 everything cool. It’s similar to the blood in your body, pumping the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able to perform its job and your home will get extremely hot.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own pros and cons. For instance the reciprocating compressor is comprised of an engine that moves between up and down inside a cylinder, and this motion creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. When the piston moves downwards, it reduces the volume of gas, then a discharge valve is opened to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.

This type of compressor is also equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are inside the cylinder to help compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, making it a popular option for residential applications.

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

While you can’t avoid the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can stop the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for many years and give you peace-of-mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair option if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it decides when and how the system turns on and off. It compares the temperature of the air to a pre-set level. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if it is off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats utilize an electronic sensor known as a thermistor to measure the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two metals which expand differently when heated and cause the metals to flex in an opposite direction. When the thermistor reaches the temperature it was set to it sends a signal to the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.

The touchscreens on the newer models make it easy to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home according to specific times. This will save you from having to set them manually every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage so that you can figure out how to cut back on expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the method of operation is a bit more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic strip which is bonded to a vial using mercury. When the temperature changes it causes the mercury in the vial to tilt in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tilted it triggers the thermostat to activate the cooling or heating system.

You should regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, make sure it isn’t bent or loose. In certain cases, the thermostat’s readings may be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In this case, you’ll need to call in an expert to resolve the issue. If you’re experiencing a different problem, such as a blank display Try changing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not connected. This is an illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient if you take the time to learn about it and improve its use.