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 professional can assist you to select the right option for your needs.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners make use of natural gas for heating and condensers to 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 attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or inside an air handler if you don’t. The evaporator is where the refrigerant liquid turns into a gas and absorbs heat from your home’s indoor air.
The evaporator is comprised of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils at a low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates into a gaseous state.
A fan blows the warm air from your home to the coil that is used to evaporate. The air is then cooled as heat is taken away from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then moved through the ductwork of your home to every room which is where it circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system through return ducts.
The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve effective air cooling. The evaporator also uses its own fans to help it achieve this goal.
The evaporator metering device ensures that the liquid refrigerant remains at a constant level. The low-side floating is designed to be open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid enters the coils.
There are two main types of evaporators: cased and uncased. A cased evaporator will be the one you’ll most likely to see in your home, since it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar to the cased evaporators, however they do not have a protective outer shell.
Both evaporators have the same purpose but it is important to choose a model that can meet the specific requirements of your home. Certain models are better suited for extreme environments, while others may be better suited to milder conditions. It is also important to consider how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator, as this could save you time, money and hassle in the long in the long.
Condenser
The condenser is among the three major components of your home’s air conditioning system which helps to keep it running efficiently. The condenser is outside the home and is connected to the evaporator through refrigerant pipes. It has metal fins and fans which help to remove heat from the refrigerant which is being transported from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted helps the refrigerant be cooled and transform to a liquid state.
A compressor is connected to an condenser unit. It operates 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 absorbed by the air around it. After the cooling cycle is complete the refrigerant will be pushed into the compressor to be pressurized before being pumped back to the evaporator coil.
The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Leaves and twigs, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles can damage the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser will protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.
Do not shade the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can lead to higher energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. Regularly having a professional technician examine the major components of your HVAC system can aid in preventing major issues. In addition having a professional service team check your refrigerant levels regularly can also help to keep any problems from developing. Follow these steps to prolong the life of your cooling and heating system and reduce energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the core of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant through the system, keeping everything cool. It’s like the blood in your body, pumping the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the condenser and evaporator from completing their tasks and will leave your home warm and uncomfortable.
There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own pros and cons. For example, a reciprocating compressor has an engine that moves between up and down inside a cylinder, and this motion creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston is moved down, it reduces the volume of gas, and then a discharge valve is opened to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor also has a clutch as well as crankshaft, which assists the piston to compress the air. A Rotary compressor, on the other side, has blades within the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This kind 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 increase the temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This creates 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 transform back to its liquid state.
You can avoid the majority of AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time, and will provide you with peace of mind knowing your home is always in good condition. If you do encounter problems with your compressor then your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining which repairs are the best for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, allowing it to regulate the time and frequency at which it turns off and on. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it with an established desired level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it is off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats utilize the digital sensor, also known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor consists of two different metals that expand at different rates as they get hot and bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches its set temperature, it signals the circuit board to start your heating or AC system.
Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to operate and program. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at specific times. This will save you from having to manually set them every day. They also provide reports on energy usage so that you can discover ways to reduce expenses.
If you have an older electromechanical model, the way that it works is a bit more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial by mercury. When the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial moves, either complete or breaking 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 working order, you must be sure to clean it on a regular basis to remove any dust that has built up. Also, you should ensure that it is not loose or unbalanced. In some cases, the thermostat may be having issues in its readings due to a dirty evaporator coil or a damaged thermistor. If that is the scenario, you’ll require a professional to fix it for you. If the problem is something else, like a blank screen or a blank screen, you can try changing the batteries or ensuring that the breaker hasn’t been tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by understanding it and maximizing its use.