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

If your home’s HVAC is getting old the high repair costs and energy bills can make it worth investing in an upgrade. A residential HVAC professional can help you 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 that run.

Evaporator

An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a box that is attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, in the absence of. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator has one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant is at low pressure as it reaches the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.

A fan blows warm indoor air over the coil that is used to evaporate the air. The air is then cooled as heat is taken away from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of the air inside. The cooled air is then moved through your home’s ductwork system to each room which is where it circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system via return ducts.

The evaporator, unlike the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a lower temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator also has its own fans to help it achieve this final goal.

The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid is always at an unchanging level. The low-side floating is designed to be open when there is no liquid in the evaporator. It will close when liquid gets into the coils.

There are two primary types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. 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. A non-cased evaporator is the same but it doesn’t have the protective outer shell.

Although both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s crucial to select a model able to meet the specific requirements of your home. For example, some models are better suited for more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited for milder conditions. You should also think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator as this can save you time, money and effort in the long run.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three main components of the air conditioning system in your home that helps keep it operating efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and is connected to the evaporator through refrigerant pipes. It has fans and metal fins which help remove heat from the refrigerant which was transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed allows the refrigerant to cool down and transform back into a liquid state.

A compressor is attached to an condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeeze action increases the temperature, which is transferred to the condenser unit to absorb heat trapped in the air. After it has completed its cooling cycle, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor, where it is pressurized again before being pumped to the evaporator coil where the process begins all over again.

Since the condenser is situated outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Leaves and twigs, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles can cause damage to the condenser. The addition of an universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help safeguard the equipment from accidental damage even when it’s not in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. This can reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs and possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help to ensure that the condenser is operating properly. Having a professional service technician inspect all the major components of your system on a regular basis can aid in preventing major issues from arising. A professional service team can also avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant levels. By following these steps, you’ll be able to extend the longevity of your heating and cooling system and lower your energy costs.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, keeping everything cool. It’s like the blood of your body as it pumps the coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able to perform its job and your home will become uncomfortably hot.

There are a variety of HVAC compressors and each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. For instance the reciprocating compressor is comprised of pistons that move between up and down inside the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards, it reduces gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.

This type of compressor is also equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft which helps 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 extremely quiet, making it a popular option for residential applications.

Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the liquid refrigerant as it is being compressed, ensuring that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-temperature and high pressure. Since heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures, the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils, and transform back to its original liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can avoid 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 will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home is always in good condition. If you do experience problems with your compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are best 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 determines the temperature of the air and compares it to a preset desired level. If it is off by just a few degrees, the thermostat will send an electronic signal that changes it towards the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature by using the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates as they get hot, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature set it informs the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. They are often programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at certain times, which eliminates the headache of manually setting the temperature each day. In addition, they provide reports on energy usage so you can learn how to cut back on costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model the way it operates is a bit more complicated. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded to mercury the vial. If the temperature changes it causes the mercury in the vial to tilt and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tipping, the thermostat turns on the heating and cooling system.

You must regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, you should ensure that it isn’t sagging or unbalanced. In certain cases, the thermostat’s readings might be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this situation, you’ll require an expert to fix it. If the issue is something else, like a blank screen or a blank screen, you can try replacing the batteries or checking that your breaker has not been tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you take the time to research it and make the most of its use.