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

If the air conditioning in your home is getting old the high repair costs and energy bills can be a reason to consider a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting 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 operate condensers within a split system.

Evaporator

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

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils packed tightly together. The refrigerant is able to reach the coils at a low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates into gaseous state.

A fan blows warm air through the coil of the evaporator. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator which alters the refrigerant’s temperature and reduces 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 through return ducts.

The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to achieve efficient air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fans in order to achieve this goal.

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

There are two primary types of evaporators: Cased and uncased. A cased evaporator is one you’re most likely to find in your home, since it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are similar but it doesn’t have the protective outer shell.

Both evaporators serve the same purpose, however it’s important to select one that is able to satisfy your home’s particular needs. Certain models are more suited to more harsh environments, while others could be better suited to milder conditions. Consider how easy it is to clean and maintain your evaporator. This can save you time, money and hassle.

Condenser

Condensers are one of the three major components of your cooling system. They help it work efficiently. The condenser is outside the house and is connected to the evaporator through refrigerant pipes. It is comprised of metal fins and fans which work to remove the heat from the refrigerant which is being transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed allows the refrigerant to reduce in temperature and then transform to liquid form.

A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It operates 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 passed into the condenser to absorb latent heat in the air. After it has completed its cooling process, the refrigerant is pushed back into the compressor, where it is again pressurized before being pumped into the evaporator coil. There, the process starts all over again.

Since the condenser is outdoors, it is susceptible to the elements. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles can damage the condenser. The addition of a universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help to protect the equipment from damage when it isn’t in use.

Avoid shading the condenser. This could reduce air flow, forcing the compressor to 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 working correctly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect the major components of your HVAC system can help prevent major problems. A professional service team can avoid problems by checking regularly the refrigerant level. Follow these simple steps to 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 pumps refrigerant through the system, keeping everything cool. It is as the blood flowing through your body, in that it circulates coolant between your condenser and evaporator coils. If the compressor fails and the evaporator fails, it will not be able to perform its job, and your home will become uncomfortably hot.

There are a myriad of different kinds of HVAC compressors. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages. A reciprocating compressor, for example is one that has a piston moving upwards and downwards within a piston. This movement creates a suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve then opens to release the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.

This type of compressor comes with a clutch and a crankshaft, which helps the piston to compress air. A rotary compressor has blades that are inside the cylinder to aid in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, which makes it an ideal option for residential use.

The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to increase the temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This creates the formation of a high-temperature, high pressure vapor. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to lower temperature ones, the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils before it can transform back to its original liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can stop the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your AC will last for a long time and provide you with peace of mind knowing that your home will remain comfortable. If you do experience a problem with the compressor or the compressor itself, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repairs are the best for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, enabling it to control when and how it turns off and on. It compared the temperature of the air to a set desired temperature. If it is off by a few degrees the thermostat will send an electronic signal to bring it closer to the desired temperature. The majority of modern thermostats measure temperature using a digital sensor known as a thermosistor. The thermistor is comprised of two metals that expand differently when heated up which causes the metals to bend in opposite direction. When the thermistor is at its temperature set it sends a signal to the circuit board to switch on your heating or AC system.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. Many thermostats are programmed to automatically cool and heat your home at specific times. This will save you from having to manually set them 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 it operates is a little more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic band that is bonded to mercury the vial. When the temperature changes, it causes the mercury inside the vial to tilt in a way, interrupting or completing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tilted it triggers the thermostat to turn on the cooling or heating system.

To keep your thermostat in good condition It is essential to be sure to clean it on a regular basis to remove any dust that has built up. Also, you should ensure that it is not loose or crooked. In certain cases, the thermostat’s readings might be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In that scenario, you’ll need to call a professional to fix the problem for you. If you’re experiencing other issue, like blank displays, try changing your batteries or making sure that your breaker is not connected. This is an example of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you make the effort to learn about it and optimize its use.