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 expert can help you choose the best solution for your home.
Most cooling systems rely on electricity to cool and heat homes, however certain propane or gas-powered air conditioners use natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers within a split system.
Evaporator
The evaporator coil inside your air conditioner is the one that cools your home. The evaporator coil is located in a box that is 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 in your home’s air.
The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils tightly bonded. The refrigerant enters the coils at low pressure, making it easier for it to transfer heat when it evaporates into gaseous form.
A fan blows your home’s warm indoor air over the evaporator coil. This air is cooled when heat is taken away from the evaporator. This lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cool air then flows through the ductwork of your home to every room which is where it circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system via return ducts.
The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve effective air cooling. The evaporator has its own fan in order to accomplish this final goal.
The evaporator metering system ensures that the refrigerant in the liquid remains at the same level. The low-side floating is designed to be open when there is no liquid in the evaporator, and close when liquid enters the coils.
There are two main kinds of evaporators: cases and uncased. A cased evaporator is one you’re most likely to see in your home because it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators resemble cases, but they don’t have an outer shell that is protected.
Both evaporators share the same function, but it’s crucial to select one that is able to meet your home’s specific needs. For instance, some models are better suited for harsher working environments, while others are better suited for milder conditions. You should also take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator as this can 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 help keep it working efficiently. It is located outside the home, and is connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines and contains an array of fans and metal fins that remove heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transported here from the evaporator. The heat that is removed from the refrigerant gas aids it cool and turn back into liquid form.
A compressor is connected to the condenser unit and works to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been taken from the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeeze action increases the temperature, and it is passed into the condenser to absorb the heat that is trapped in the air. After it has completed its cooling cycle the refrigerant is then pushed back into the compressor where it is pressurized again before being pumped to the evaporator coil, where the process begins all over again.
Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Leaves and twigs, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles, can cause damage to the condenser. Adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help safeguard the equipment from accidental damage when it’s not in use.
Do not shade the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could result in more energy costs and a possible loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is operating correctly. Regularly having a professional technician check every major component of your HVAC system will assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant level. By following these simple steps, you can help to prolong the lifespan of your cooling and heating system as well as reduce your energy bills.
Compressor
A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit and it pumps refrigerant throughout the system to keep everything cool. It is like the blood of your body as it pumps coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with your compressor, it will prevent the condenser and evaporator from completing their tasks and will make your home feeling uncomfortable warm.
There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. A reciprocating compressor, for example it has a piston that moves up and down in the piston. This movement creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. When the piston moves downwards it decreases the gas volume, and the discharge valve opens to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor is equipped with a clutch and a crankshaft that aids the piston to compress air. A Rotary compressor, on other side, has blades within the cylinder which help compress the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, making it a popular option for residential use.
Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid as it is being compressed, ensuring that the vapor that exits the compressor is high-temperature and high-pressure. It is normal for heat to flow from high-temperature materials down to lower-temperature substances which is why the hot vapor will move to the evaporator before returning to its liquid state.
While you can’t avoid the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can stop the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for a long time and it will provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home is always at ease. If you do encounter problems with your compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can help you decide what repair options are best for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it determines when and how the system is turned on and off. It measures 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 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 metals that expand in different ways when heated and cause the metals to bend in an opposite direction. When the thermistor reaches the temperature set, it signals to the circuit board that your heating or AC should be turned on.
The touchscreens on newer models make it easy to program and operate. A lot of thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This will save you from having to set them manually each day. Additionally, they offer reports on energy consumption so that you can figure out how to reduce costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model, the way that it works is a little more complex. It is made up of a bimetallic strip that is attached to a vial with mercury. When the temperature fluctuates in the vial, it causes the mercury in the vial to move and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped it triggers the thermostat to activate the cooling or heating system.
It is essential to regularly clean your thermostat in order to eliminate dust. You must also ensure that it isn’t sagging or unbalanced. In some instances, the thermostat may be experiencing issues with its readings because of an evaporator coil that is dirty or a damaged thermistor. If that is the case, you will need to call a professional to fix the problem for you. If you are experiencing a different problem, such as a blank display Try changing your batteries or checking whether your breaker has not in a state of being tripped. This is a good example of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you spend the time to understand it and improve its use.