What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It may be worth investing in a new unit if your home’s air conditioner is a bit old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the right option for your home.
The majority of 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 in a split system.
Evaporator
The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is the one that cools your house. The evaporator coil is in a box attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, in the event that you don’t have. The evaporator is where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat from the air inside your home.
The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils packed tightly together. The refrigerant enters the coils at low pressure, making it easier for it to transfer heat when it evaporates into a gaseous state.
A fan blows the warm air from your home to the coil that is used to evaporate. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which alters the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cool air then flows through your home’s ductwork to each room, where it circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system through return ducts.
The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve efficient air cooling. The evaporator makes use of its own fans to accomplish this final goal.
The evaporator’s metering device helps to ensure that the refrigerant is at a constant level of liquid in it. The low-side floating is designed to open if there is no liquid in the evaporator and close when liquid gets into the coils.
There are two primary types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. The most commonly used type of evaporator in your home is a cased model. It is housed inside the metal casing that protects the air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar, except it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.
While both evaporators have the identical purpose, it’s vital to choose a model that’s suitable for the requirements of your house. For instance, certain models are better suited to harsher working environments, while others are better suited for more moderate conditions. Think about how easy it would be to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could save you money, time and effort.
Condenser
Condensers are one of the three major components of the cooling system in your home. They assist in making it operate efficiently. It is situated outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines. It is also home to several metal fins and fans that work to remove heat from the refrigerant gas that was transported from the evaporator. The heat that is removed allows the refrigerant to be cooled and transform to liquid form.
A compressor is attached to the condenser unit and works to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action raises the temperature, which is transferred to the condenser unit to absorb the heat that is trapped in the air. After the cooling cycle is complete the refrigerant will be introduced into the compressor, where it will be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.
The condenser unit is exposed to elements since it is outside. Debris, such as twigs grass clippings, leaves, and even roofing shingles can fall into the condenser unit and damage it. By adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your cooling and heating system can help to protect the equipment from damage when it’s not in use.
Do not shade the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can result in higher energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure that the condenser is operating correctly. Having a professional service technician look over every major component of your system on a regular basis will help to prevent any major issues from occurring. Additionally having a professional service team check your refrigerant levels frequently can also help to prevent any problems from developing. Follow these easy steps to help extend the life of your cooling and heating system and cut down on energy costs.
Compressor
The compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. It circulates refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It’s like the blood in your body, since it moves the coolant back and forth between your evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able perform its job and your home will be extremely hot.
There are several different kinds of HVAC compressors and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance the reciprocating compressor features a piston that moves between up and down inside a cylinder, and this action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. When the piston is moving downwards it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration to the condenser.
This kind of compressor also comes with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston in compressing the air. A Rotary compressor, on other side, has blades within the cylinder that assist in helping compress the air. This type of compressor is extremely quiet, making it a popular option for residential use.
Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to raise the temperature of the liquid refrigerant while it is compressed, so that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-temperature and high-pressure. Heat naturally flows from high-temperature materials down to lower temperature substances and the hot vapor will travel into the evaporator, and then return to its liquid state.
While you can’t avoid the occasional problem with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for many years and give you peace-of-mind knowing that your home will always be comfortable. If you do experience an issue with the compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining which repair options are best for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your cooling and heating system, which allows it to regulate when and how it turns off and on. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it to an established desired level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if it is off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature with a digital sensor known as the thermosistor. The thermistor is comprised of two metals which expand differently when heated up, causing the metals to flex in an opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches its temperature set, it signals the circuit board to switch on your heating or AC system.
Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. They are often programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at certain times, which eliminates the effort of having to manually set it every day. They also provide reports on energy consumption so that you can learn ways to reduce costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model, the way it operates is a bit more complex. It is composed of a bimetallic band which is bonded with mercury to the vial. When the temperature fluctuates, it causes the mercury inside the vial to shift and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tilts the thermostat, it activates the cooling and heating system.
It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. Also, make sure it isn’t crooked or loose. In some cases, the thermostat may be having trouble with its readings because of a dirty evaporator coil or the thermistor being damaged. In this case, you’ll need to contact an expert to resolve the issue. If you are experiencing a different problem, such as blank displays try replacing your batteries or checking that your breaker is not in a state of being tripped. This is an illustration of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you spend the time to understand it and make the most of its use.