What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It may be worth investing in a new unit in the event that your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best option for your home.
The majority of cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, but some, such as gas-powered or propane air conditioners, utilize natural gas to fuel furnaces and operate condensers in split systems.
Evaporator
The evaporator coil inside your air conditioner is the one that cools your house. The evaporator coil is located in a box attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or inside an air handler in the absence of. The evaporator is where refrigerant transforms into a liquid, and absorbs heat from the air in your home.
The evaporator is comprised of one or more coils of copper which are tightly packed. The refrigerant is at low pressure when it gets to the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.
A fan blows warm air that is escaping your home over the evaporator coil. This air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator, which changes the refrigerant’s temperature and reduces the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is then circulated through the ductwork of your home, and then to each room.
The evaporator, unlike the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve efficient air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fans to achieve this goal.
The evaporator metering device ensures that the refrigerant used in the liquid remains at the same level. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.
There are two primary kinds of evaporators: cases and uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’re most likely to see in your home, since it is enclosed inside the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar to cases, but they do not have an outer shell with protection.
Both evaporators share the same function, but it is important to choose the one that will satisfy your home’s particular needs. For instance, certain models are more suited to more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited to more moderate 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 one of three major components of your home’s air conditioning system that helps keep it operating efficiently. It is situated outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to several metal fins and fans that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transported here from the evaporator. The heat removed helps the refrigerant to cool down and transform back to liquid form.
A compressor is attached to an condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant which then passes into the condenser coils to absorb heat that is not being absorbed by the air around it. Once it has completed its cooling cycle the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is pressurized again before being pumped into the evaporator coil where the process starts all over again.
Because the condenser is located outside, it is exposed to the elements. Debris such as twigs, grass clippings, leaves and even roofing shingles can be thrown into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage while not in use.
Avoid shading the condenser. This can reduce the flow of air, causing the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This could result in increased energy costs as well as a loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating properly. Regularly having a professional technician check the major components of your HVAC system will assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can also keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant levels. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to prolong the lifespan of your cooling and heating system and reduce the cost of energy.
Compressor
The compressor is the main component of your air conditioner. It pumps refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It’s like the blood in your body, in that it moves the coolant between your condenser and evaporator coils. If something goes wrong with your compressor, it will stop the condenser and evaporator from completing their tasks and leave your home warm and uncomfortable.
There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages. For example the reciprocating compressor is comprised of pistons that move upwards and downwards within the cylinder. This movement creates suction that draws in 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 is equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft that helps the piston compress air. A Rotary compressor, on other hand, has blades inside the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This kind of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular choice for residential use.
Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid while it is compressed, so that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-temperature and high pressure. It is normal for heat to flow from high-temperature substances 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 prevent the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for a long time and will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always in good condition. If you do have problems with your compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining which repair options are best for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brain of your heating and cooling system, allowing it to control the timing and manner in which it turns off and on. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it with a preset desired level. If it is off by one or two degrees it will send an electronic signal that changes it closer to the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats gauge temperature by using a digital sensor known as the thermosistor. The thermistor is made up of two metals that expand differently when heated and cause the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature that it is set it informs the circuit board that your heating or AC should be switched on.
The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. They are usually programmed to automatically heat or cool your home at certain times, which saves you the effort of manually setting it each day. In addition, they provide reports on energy consumption so that you can figure out how 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 with mercury. When the temperature changes, it causes the mercury in the vial to shift and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts 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 has built up. Also, you should ensure that it is not loose or unbalanced. In some cases the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In this case, you will need to call a professional to fix it. If you are experiencing a other issue, like a blank display try replacing your batteries or making sure that your breaker isn’t tripped. This is a good illustration of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and maximizing its use.