What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It could be worthwhile to invest in a new unit in the event that your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repair. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best option for your home.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners, make use of natural gas to heat and running condensers.
Evaporator
An evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioner that cools your home. The evaporator is inside a box that is attached to your gas furnace or within it (if you own one). If you don’t, the coil is located in an air handler. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant liquid transforms into a gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.
The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils that are tightly bonded. The refrigerant enters the coils at a 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. This 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 every room and circulates until it is returned to the air conditioning system through return ducts.
The evaporator, unlike the compressor, requires to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant down to a low temperature to allow for effective air cooling. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help it to achieve this final goal.
The evaporator metering device ensures that the liquid refrigerant remains at the same level. The low-side float is designed to open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when sees liquid enter the coils.
There are two types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. The most popular type of evaporator in your home is the one that is cased. It is housed inside the metal casing that protects the air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar to cased evaporators, but they do not have a protective outer shell.
Both evaporators have the same purpose, however it’s important to select the one that will meet your home’s specific needs. For instance, certain models are better suited for harsher working environments, while others are more suitable for more moderate conditions. You should also think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this could save you time, money and effort in the long run.
Condenser
The condenser is one of three major components of your air conditioning system that help keep it working efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and is connected to the evaporator via refrigerant pipes. It contains metal fins and fans that help remove heat from the refrigerant that has been transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is emitted allows the refrigerant to reduce in temperature and then transform into a liquid state.
A compressor is attached to an condenser unit. It operates to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeezing action of the compressor increases the temperature of the coolant, which then passes into the condenser coils, which absorb the heat that is not being absorbed by the surrounding air. After it has completed its cooling cycle and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor where it is again pressurized before being pumped to the evaporator coil, where the process begins again.
Since the condenser is outdoors, it is vulnerable to the elements. Debris such as twigs, grass clippings, leaves and even roofing shingles can fall into the condenser unit and cause damage to it. Adding a universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help safeguard the equipment from accidental damage when it’s not in use.
Beware of shading the condenser. Doing so can restrict air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This could result in higher energy bills and a potential loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure that the condenser works correctly. Regularly having a professional technician examine every major component of your HVAC system can help prevent major problems. In addition having an expert service team monitor the refrigerant levels on a regular basis will also help keep any problems from developing. Follow these steps to extend the life of your cooling and heating system and lower your energy costs.
Compressor
A compressor is the heart 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 the coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If something goes wrong with the compressor, it will stop the evaporator and condenser from doing their job and will make your home uncomfortably warm.
There are a variety of HVAC compressors, and each one has distinct advantages and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for instance, has a piston moving upwards and downwards within a piston. This movement produces a suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston is moved down, it reduces the volume of gas, and then a discharge valve is opened to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.
This kind of compressor also includes a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston to compress air. A Rotary compressor, on other side, has blades within the cylinder that help to compress the air. This type of compressor is quiet, which makes it an ideal choice for residential applications.
The HVAC compressors of both types are designed to raise temperature of the liquid as it is compressed. This creates a high-pressure, high-temperature liquid. The heat naturally flows from high-temperature substances to lower temperature substances, so the hot vapor moves to the evaporator before returning to its liquid state.
You can prevent most AC problems by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for many years and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. If you do encounter problems with your compressor then your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining which repair options are most suitable for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain and it decides the frequency and manner in which the system turns on and off. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it with a preset desired level. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if it is off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats utilize an electronic sensor known as a thermistor to measure the temperature. The thermistor consists of two different metals that expand at different rates as they heat up and cause 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.
Newer models of thermostats have touchscreens that make them easy to operate and program. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This will save you from having to set them manually every day. They also provide information on energy consumption so you can find ways to cut expenses.
If you have an older electromechanical model the way that it works is a little more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic band which is bonded to mercury the vial. When temperatures change, the mercury in a vial moves, either complete or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tilted it triggers the thermostat to activate the cooling or heating system.
You should regularly clean your thermostat in order to eliminate dust. You should also make sure that it is not loose or bent. In certain cases, the thermostat’s readings may be inaccurate due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. If that is the case, you will need to call a professional to fix the problem for you. If the problem is something else, like an unresponsive screen, you can try changing the batteries or ensuring that the breaker hasn’t been tripped. This is a good example of how your HVAC system will be more efficient if you spend the time to learn about it and make the most of its use.