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

If the air conditioning in your home is at its peak, high repair costs and energy bills may make it worth investing in the purchase of a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the right option for your home.

Most cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes. However, some, called gas-powered or propane air conditioners, utilize natural gas to power furnaces and run condensers within a split system.

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 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 gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.

The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils tightly packed. The refrigerant is in low pressure as it reaches the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows warm air from your home to the evaporator coil. This air is cooled as heat is removed from the evaporator. This reduces the temperature of the air inside. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork in your home to each room.

Unlike the compressor, which needs to create refrigerant gas at high temperatures to ensure efficient cooling, the evaporator only has to bring its boiling point to a low temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fans to accomplish this objective.

The evaporator’s metering device helps to ensure that the refrigerant is at the same amount of liquid in it. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators: cased and noncased. A cased evaporator will be the one you’ll likely to find in your home because it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cased evaporators, but they don’t have an outer shell that is protected.

While both evaporators have the identical purpose, it’s vital to select a model able to meet your home’s unique requirements. Some models are better suited to harsher environments, while others could be more suitable in milder conditions. It is also important to consider how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator, as this can save you time, money and effort in the long time.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three major components of the air conditioning system in your home that helps keep it operating efficiently. It is located outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to several fans and metal fins that remove heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transported here from the evaporator. The heat removed helps the refrigerant cool down and transform back to liquid form.

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 compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, which is then transferred to the condenser unit to absorb heat trapped in the air. Once the cooling cycle is complete the refrigerant is introduced into the compressor to be pressurized prior to being pumped back to the evaporator coil.

The condenser unit is exposed to elements since it is outside. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles may be thrown into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. Adding a universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help protect the equipment from accidental damage when it isn’t in use.

Beware of shading the condenser. This can impede air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This could lead to increased energy costs and possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser works properly. Regularly having a professional technician examine all major components of your HVAC system can aid in preventing major issues. Additionally, having a professional service team check your refrigerant levels frequently will also help keep any problems from developing. By following these steps, you can help to extend the longevity of your cooling and heating system and reduce your energy costs.

Compressor

A compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It’s similar to the blood of your body as it pumps coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If the compressor fails and the evaporator fails, it will not be able perform its job and your home will become uncomfortably hot.

There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors, and each one has its own pros and cons. For example the reciprocating compressor features an engine that moves between up and down inside the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards, it reduces gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration to the condenser.

This kind of compressor also includes a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor has blades inside the cylinder to aid in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is very quiet, making it a popular option for residential use.

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. The heat naturally flows from high-temperature materials down to lower temperature substances and the hot vapor will move into the evaporator, and then return to its liquid state.

While you can’t avoid the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can stop the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will allow your equipment to last for a long time, and it will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always at ease. If you do experience an issue 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 the brain of your cooling and heating system, enabling it to regulate the timing and manner in which it turns off and on. It compares the air temperature to a set desired temperature. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if it’s off by a few degrees. Most modern thermostats use the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor to measure the temperature. The thermistor consists of two metals which expand differently when heated up which causes the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature it was set to it informs the circuit board that your heating or AC should be switched on.

The touchscreens on newer models make it easier to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at certain times. This will save you from having to set them manually each day. They also provide reports on energy consumption so you can find ways to cut costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model the way that it works is a bit more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic strip that is bonded to a vial by mercury. If the temperature changes and the mercury inside a vial shifts, either completing or breaking a circuit. When the vial tips the thermostat, it turns on the heating and cooling system.

To keep your thermostat in good working order You must clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that may have accumulated. Also, make sure that it is not crooked or loose. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In that scenario, you’ll need to call an expert to fix it. If you’re experiencing different problem, such as blank displays try replacing your batteries or checking that your breaker is not connected. This is a good example of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and maximizing its use.