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 old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the right option for your home.

Most cooling systems rely upon electricity to cool and heat homes, however certain propane or gas-powered air conditioners, utilize natural gas to fuel furnaces and operate condensers in split systems.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil inside your air conditioner is what 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 the refrigerant liquid transforms into gas and absorbs heat from your home’s indoor air.

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

A fan blows the warm air from your home to the coil that is used to evaporate. This air is cooled when heat is taken away from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air then moves through the ductwork of your home to every room and circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system via return ducts.

Contrary to the compressor, which needs to create refrigerant gas at extremely high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator only requires it to bring its boiling point to a lower temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator has its own fans in order to achieve this goal.

The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid remains at an unchanging level. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator, and it closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators: cases and uncased. The most popular kind of evaporator you can find in your home is the one that is cased. It’s enclosed inside the metal casing that surrounds the air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same, except it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.

Although both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s important to select one that is able to meet the specific requirements of your home. For instance, some models are better suited to harsher working environments, while others are better suited to more moderate conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can save you money, time and effort.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three major components of the air conditioning system in your home that help keep it working efficiently. It is located outside the home, and is connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to several fans and metal fins which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas that was transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted allows the refrigerant to be cooled and transform to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant which is then pumped into condenser coils to absorb heat that is not being released from the air surrounding it. Once the cooling cycle is complete the refrigerant is introduced into the compressor, where it will be pressurized prior to being pumped back to the evaporator coil.

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

Avoid shading the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can result in higher energy bills and a possibility of losing refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. Having a professional service technician look over all of the major components of your system regularly can assist in preventing any major issues from arising. A professional service team can keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to extend the longevity of your heating and cooling system and reduce your energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It’s like the blood in your body, since it circulates coolant back and forth between your evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor fails and the evaporator fails, it will not be able to perform its job and your house will become uncomfortably hot.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors. Each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. For example the reciprocating compressor is comprised of a piston that moves upwards and downwards within a cylinder, and this action creates suction which draws in the refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

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

The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This results in a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to lower temperature ones, the hot vapor is able to move into the evaporator coils, and return to its liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the occasional problem with the compressor, you can stop the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always at ease. If you do experience a problem with the compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are most suitable for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your heating and cooling system, enabling it to decide the time and frequency at which it 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 off a few degrees. Most modern thermostats use an electronic sensor known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two metals that expand differently when heated and cause the metals to flex in an opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature it was set to it sends a signal to the circuit board that your heating or AC should be turned on.

The touchscreens on the newer models make it easy to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at specific times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to set them manually every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage to help you figure out how to reduce costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, it is a little more complicated. It is made up of a bimetallic strip that is attached to a vial by mercury. When the temperature changes the mercury in the vial tilts, completing or breaking an electrical circuit. When the vial tipping the thermostat, it activates the heating and cooling system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good working condition, you must clean it regularly to remove any dust that has accumulated. Also, make sure that it is not crooked or loose. In some cases, the thermostat may be having issues in its readings due to a dirty evaporator coil or the thermistor being damaged. In this instance you’ll have to call in an expert to resolve the issue. If you are experiencing a different issue, for instance a blank display Try changing your batteries or making sure whether your breaker has not in a state of being tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you spend the time to research it and improve its use.