What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
If the air conditioning in your home is getting old cost of repair and energy bills can make it worthwhile to invest in a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in choosing the best solution for your home.
The majority of cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, but certain gas-powered or propane air conditioners, use natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers in split systems.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator is in a box attached to your gas furnace or inside it (if you own one). If you don’t, the coil is located in an air handler. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant liquid turns into a gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.
The evaporator is comprised of a few coils of copper that are tightly packed. The refrigerant enters the coils at low pressure, which makes it easier for it to transfer heat as it evaporates into gaseous state.
A fan blows warm indoor air over the coil that is used to evaporate the air. This air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which alters the refrigerant’s temperatures and lowers the temperature of your home’s air. The cooled air is then circulated through the ductwork of your home, and then to each room.
Unlike the compressor, which has to produce refrigerant gas at extremely high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator has to raise its boiling point to a low temperature to ensure that it is cooling effectively. The evaporator uses its own fans in order to achieve this final goal.
The metering device in the evaporator helps to ensure that the refrigerant has a constant level of liquid inside 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 main types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’ll likely to see in your home, since it’s contained within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like cased evaporators, but they do not have an outer shell with protection.
Both evaporators share the same purpose, however it is important to choose one that is able to meet the specific requirements of your home. For example, some models are better suited to extreme working environments, while others are more suitable for milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can help you save time, money and effort.
Condenser
The condenser is one of three major components of your home’s air conditioning system that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is 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 is being transferred from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas helps it to cool and turn back into liquid form.
A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It helps to pressurize the low pressure refrigerant liquid that has been transferred from the evaporator. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, and it is transferred to the condenser unit to absorb the heat that is trapped in the air. After the cooling cycle the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil where the process starts all over again.
Since the condenser is outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves and roofing shingles may be thrown into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser will protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.
It is also important to avoid shading the condenser. This could reduce the flow of air, causing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in increased energy costs and possibility of losing refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will help to ensure that the condenser is operating properly. A professional service technician look over all of the major components of your system on a regular basis will assist in preventing any major problems from occurring. A professional service team can also prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these steps, you’ll be able to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system as well as reduce your energy costs.
Compressor
The compressor is the main component of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It’s like the blood that flows through your body, pumping the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will stop the condenser and evaporator from doing their job and will make your home warm and uncomfortable.
There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors and each has its own pros and cons. A reciprocating compressor, for example it has a piston that moves upwards and downwards in the cylinder. This motion creates a suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve opens to let the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.
This type of compressor also includes a clutch and crankshaft, which assists the piston to compress the air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades inside the cylinder to assist in compressing the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, which makes it a popular choice for homes.
The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to increase the temperatures of the liquid when it is compressed. This results in an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure vapor. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils and transform back to its original liquid state.
You can avoid the majority of AC problems by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for many years and provide peace of mind that your home will always be comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options should you have a compressor issue.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, enabling it to regulate when and how it turns off and on. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it to a preset desired level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats employ an electronic sensor known as a thermistor to gauge the temperature. The thermistor is composed of two different metals that expand at different rates as they get hot, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its set temperature, it signals the circuit board to switch on your heating or AC system.
The touchscreens on the newer models make it easy to program and operate. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to manually set them each day. They also provide information on energy usage so that you can discover ways to reduce costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model the method of operation is a bit more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial using mercury. If the temperature changes it causes the mercury in the vial to move, completing or interrupting an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped it triggers the thermostat to start the cooling or heating system.
You must regularly clean your thermostat to get rid of dust. You must also ensure that it is not loose or crooked. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. If that is the scenario, you’ll need to call an expert to fix it. If the problem is something else, such as a blank screen or a blank screen, you can try changing the batteries or ensuring that the breaker hasn’t been activated. This is an example of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you spend the time to research it and make the most of its use.