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

If your home’s HVAC is at its peak cost of repair and energy bills could be a reason to consider a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in choosing the best option for your home.

Most cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, however certain gas-powered or propane air conditioners, use natural gas to power furnaces and run condensers in a split system.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil in your air conditioner is the one that cools your house. The evaporator is located inside a box that is connected to your gas furnace or inside it (if you own one). If you don’t, the evaporator can be found in an air handler. The evaporator is where refrigerant transforms into a liquid and then absorbs heat from the air inside your home.

The evaporator consists of a few copper coils that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant enters the coils with low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into gaseous state.

A fan blows your home’s warm indoor air over the evaporator coil. The air is then cooled through the removal of heat from the evaporator, which changes the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers the temperature of your home’s air. The cool air is circulated through the ductwork in your home to each of the rooms.

Unlike the compressor, which requires to make the refrigerant gas at high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator only has to bring its boiling point to a low temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fans in order to accomplish this objective.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant has the same amount of liquid in it. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator, and closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.

There are two kinds of evaporators: noncased and cases-based. The most popular type of evaporator that you will find in your home is the cased one. It is enclosed within the metal casing that protects your air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same but it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.

Both evaporators serve the same purpose but it’s crucial to select one that is able to satisfy your home’s particular needs. For instance, certain models are more suited to harsher working environments, while others are more suitable for more moderate conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This could help you save time, money and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is one of three main components of your air conditioning system that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is outside the home and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans that work to remove the heat from the refrigerant which is being transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from refrigerant gas helps it cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is connected to a condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which is then pumped into condenser coils to take in latent heat from the surrounding air. After it has completed its cooling process the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor, where it is pressurized again before being pumped into 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. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.

It is also essential to ensure that the condenser is not shaded. This can reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder in order to cool your home. This can result in higher energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is operating properly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect the major components of your HVAC system will aid in preventing major issues. Additionally having an expert service team monitor your refrigerant levels frequently will also help keep any problems from developing. By following these steps, you can help to prolong the life of your heating and cooling system and lower your energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the core of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It’s similar to the blood that flows through your body, pumping the coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it can stop the evaporator and condenser from completing their tasks and leave your home feeling uncomfortable warm.

There are a myriad of different kinds of HVAC compressors. Each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. A reciprocating compressor, for example, has a piston moving upwards and downwards within the cylindrical. This produces a suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downward it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to let the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch, and a crankshaft that aids the piston compress the air. A Rotary compressor, on other hand, has blades inside the cylinder that help to compress the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential use.

The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This creates an extremely high-temperature, high-pressure liquid. Since heat naturally flows from higher temperature substances to lower-temperature ones the hot vapor is able to move into the evaporator coils before it can change back to its liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the occasional problem with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC problems by staying on top of your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for a long time, and will provide you with peace of mind knowing your home is always in good condition. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair options should you have a compressor issue.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, allowing it to control the time and frequency at which it turns off and on. It compares the air temperature to a pre-set desired level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if it is off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats gauge temperature by using the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor. The thermistor consists of two different metals that expand at different rates as they warm up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its temperature it sends a signal to the circuit board to start your heating or AC system.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. They are usually programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at certain times, which saves you the effort of having to manually set it each day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy usage so that you can figure out how to cut back on costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way that it works is a little more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded with mercury to the vial. When the temperature fluctuates it causes the mercury inside the vial to move in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped it triggers the thermostat to start the cooling or heating system.

To ensure that your thermostat is in good condition It is essential to be sure to clean it on a regular basis to remove any dust that has accumulated. Also, make sure it isn’t crooked or loose. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In this situation you’ll need to contact a professional to fix the problem. If you’re experiencing different issue, for instance a blank display, try changing your batteries or checking whether your breaker has not in a state of being tripped. This is a great example of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and maximizing its use.