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

If your home’s HVAC is at its peak the high repair costs and energy bills can be a reason to consider an upgrade. 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. However, certain propane or gas-powered air conditioners, use 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 home. The evaporator coil is located in a box attached to or inside your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, if you don’t. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils that are tightly packed together. The refrigerant is in low pressure as it reaches the coils, which makes it easier to transfer heat.

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

Unlike the compressor, which has to make the refrigerant gas at high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator needs to raise its boiling point to a lower temperature for effective air cooling. The evaporator also has its own fans to help in achieving this goal.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant has a constant level of liquid inside it. The low-side float is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator, and closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.

There are two types of evaporators: noncased and cases-based. A cased evaporator will be the one you’ll most likely to see in your home since it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar, except it doesn’t have the protective outer shell.

Although both evaporators serve the same purpose, it’s crucial to select one that is suitable for your home’s unique requirements. For instance, certain models are better suited for more harsh working environments, whereas others are better suited for milder conditions. Think about how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can help you save time, money and hassle.

Condenser

The condenser is among the three primary parts of your air conditioning system that help keep it working efficiently. It is located outside of the home, and is connected to the evaporator’s coil by refrigerant lines. It is also home to an array of metal fins and fans which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transported from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas helps it to cool and then return to liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It works to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped out of the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action increases the temperature, which is then transferred to the condenser unit to absorb latent heat in the air. When the cooling process is completed the refrigerant is moved into the compressor to be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.

The condenser unit is exposed elements due to its location outside. Debris such as twigs, leaves, grass clippings and roofing shingles may get into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. The addition of a universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help protect the equipment from damage when it’s not in use.

Do not shade the condenser. This could reduce air flow, which can force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could lead to more energy costs and a potential loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is working correctly. A professional service technician look over all of the major components of your system regularly can help to prevent any major problems from occurring. Additionally having an expert service team monitor your refrigerant levels regularly will also help keep any problems from developing. Follow these steps to help extend the life of your cooling and heating system and cut down on energy costs.

Compressor

The compressor is the main component of your air conditioning. It circulates refrigerant through the system, keeping everything cool. It’s similar to the blood of your body, pumping coolant between your evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able perform its job, and your home will get extremely hot.

There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each one has its own advantages and drawbacks. A reciprocating compressor, for example, has a piston moving upwards and downwards in a piston. This creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston is moved down it decreases the volume of gas, 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 which helps the piston compress the air. A rotary compressor is equipped with blades that are inside the cylinder to aid in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is very quiet, which makes it a popular option for homes.

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

You can prevent most AC issues by staying on top with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for many years and provide peace of mind that your home will remain comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you decide on the best repair options should you are experiencing a problem with your compressor.

Thermostat

The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it controls the frequency and manner in which the system is turned on and off. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it to an established desired level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it’s off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats employ the digital sensor, also known as a thermistor to measure the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates when they warm up, causing them to bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor reaches the temperature that it is set it informs the circuit board that heating or AC should be switched on.

The latest models of thermostats feature touchscreens that make them simple to operate and program. They are usually programmed to automatically cool or heat your house at specific times, which saves you the headache of having to set it each day. They also provide information on energy usage so that you can learn ways to reduce costs.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way it operates is a bit more complicated. It consists of a bimetallic piece that is bonded to a vial with mercury. When temperatures change the mercury in the vial moves, either complete or breaking an electrical circuit. When the vial tips the thermostat, it turns on the cooling and heating system.

You must regularly clean your thermostat in order to eliminate dust. Also, make sure that it isn’t bent or loose. In certain cases, the thermostat’s readings may be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. If that is the situation, you’ll need to call an expert to fix the problem for you. If you’re experiencing different problem, such as blank displays try replacing your batteries or checking that your breaker isn’t in a state of being tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you take the time to learn about it and optimize its use.