What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
If your home’s air conditioning is at its peak the high repair costs and energy bills can be a reason to consider a new unit. A residential HVAC professional can help you choose the best option for your needs.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners use natural gas for heating and condensers to run.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a box 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 in your home’s air.
The evaporator is made up of a few copper coils that are tightly packed. The refrigerant has a low pressure as it reaches the coils, which makes 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 through the removal of heat from the evaporator which changes the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers your indoor air temperature. The cool air is circulated through the ductwork in your home to each room.
In contrast to the compressor, which has to make the refrigerant gas at high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator requires it to bring its boiling point to a low temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator makes use of its own fans in order to accomplish 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 is no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.
There are two primary types of evaporators: cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is the one you’ll most likely to find in your home because it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators resemble cased evaporators, but they don’t have an outer shell that is protected.
Although both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s important to select a model suitable for your home’s unique requirements. For instance, certain models are better suited for harsher working environments, while others are more suitable for milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could help you save time, money and effort.
Condenser
The condenser is one of three major components of the air conditioning system in your home which helps to keep it running efficiently. It is located outside the home, and is connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to several metal fins and fans which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas that has been transported here from the evaporator. The heat removed helps the refrigerant to be cooled and transform to a liquid state.
A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It helps to pressurize the low pressure liquid refrigerant that has been taken from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action increases the temperature, and it is carried into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. When the cooling process is complete the refrigerant will be moved into the compressor, where it will be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.
The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings or even roofing shingles, can damage the condenser. Adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help safeguard the equipment from accidental damage when it isn’t in use.
It is also essential to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. This could reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This could result in increased energy costs as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. A professional service technician look over all the major components of your system on a regular basis can help to prevent any major issues from occurring. A professional service team can prevent problems by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these steps, you’ll be able to prolong the longevity of your heating and cooling system and lower your energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system, which keeps everything cool. It’s like the blood of your body when it pumps coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails, the evaporator will not be able perform its job, and your home will be extremely hot.
There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for example it has a piston that moves upwards and downwards in the piston. This produces a suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it decreases the volume of gas. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration into the condenser.
This kind of compressor also has a clutch as well as crankshaft, which assists the piston to compress the air. A Rotary compressor, on the other hand, has blades inside the cylinder that help to compress the air. This type of compressor is very quiet, making it a popular choice for homes.
The HVAC compressors of both kinds 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 high-temperature substances to lower temperature ones, the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils, and change back to its original liquid state.
You can avoid most AC issues by staying on top with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will always be comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair options if you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your cooling and heating system, enabling it to control the time and frequency at which it turns on and off. It determines the temperature of the air and compares it with the desired temperature set by a preset. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if it is off 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 when they warm up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its set temperature it tells the circuit board to start your heating or AC system.
The touchscreens on newer models make it easy to program and operate. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home according to specific times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to manually set them every day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy usage so you can learn how to reduce costs.
If you have an old electromechanical model, it is slightly more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial using mercury. When the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial moves, either complete or breaking a circuit. When the vial tips the thermostat, it turns on the heating and cooling system.
To keep your thermostat in good condition You must clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that has accumulated. Also, make sure that it isn’t bent or loose. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings might be inaccurate due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. If that is the situation, you’ll have to contact a professional to fix it for you. If you’re experiencing other issue, like an unresponsive display try replacing your batteries or making sure that your breaker isn’t in a state of being tripped. 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.