What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It might be worth investing in a new unit if your home’s air conditioner is old and in need of repairs. A residential HVAC professional can assist you to choose the best solution for your needs.
Gas-powered air conditioners, also known as propane air conditioners, make use of natural gas for heating and condensers to run.
Evaporator
The evaporator coil inside your air conditioner is the one that cools your home. The evaporator is within a box connected to your gas furnace, or inside it (if you have one). If you don’t, the evaporator can be found inside an air handler. The evaporator is the place where the refrigerant liquid transforms into gas and absorbs heat from the home’s indoor air.
The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils that are tightly packed. The refrigerant reaches the coils with low pressure, which makes it easier to transfer heat as it evaporates into gaseous form.
A fan blows warm air through the coil of the evaporator. The air is cooled by the removal of heat from the evaporator, which changes the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers the temperature of your indoor air. The cooled air is circulated through the ductwork in your home to each of the rooms.
The evaporator, unlike the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant down to a low temperature to ensure efficient air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fan in order to accomplish this final goal.
The evaporator metering device makes sure that the liquid refrigerant is always at an unchanging level. The float on the low-side is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator and it closes when it sees liquid enter the coils.
There are two main types of evaporators: cased and uncased. The most commonly used type of evaporator that you will find in your home is the cased one. It’s enclosed inside the casing made of metal that covers the air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar however it doesn’t come with the protective outer shell.
Both evaporators have the same purpose but it’s important to select the one that will meet the specific requirements of your home. Some models are better suited to more harsh environments, whereas others might be better suited to more moderate conditions. Also, you should think about how easy it will be to clean and maintain the evaporator as this could save you time, money and hassle in the long run.
Condenser
The condenser is among the three major components of your air conditioning system that helps keep it operating efficiently. The condenser is outside the house and is connected to the evaporator through refrigerant pipes. It contains metal fins and fans which help remove heat from the refrigerant that is being transferred from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas aids it cool and turn back into liquid form.
A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize the low-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been transferred from the evaporator. The squeeze 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. When the cooling process is completed, the refrigerant will be introduced into the compressor, where it will be pressurized prior to being pumped back to the evaporator coil.
Because the condenser is located outdoors, it is vulnerable to the elements. Debris like twigs, grass clippings, leaves, and roofing shingles may fall into the condenser unit, causing damage to it. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.
It is also crucial to not shade the condenser. Shades can limit air flow and make the compressor work harder to cool your home. This can lead to increased energy costs as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system will ensure that the condenser is operating effectively. Regularly having a professional technician examine the major components of your HVAC system can assist in avoiding major problems. A professional service team can keep your system in good working order by regularly checking the refrigerant level. Follow these steps to extend the life of your heating/cooling system and reduce energy bills.
Compressor
A compressor is the center of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant through the system to keep it cool. It’s like the blood that flows through your body as it pumps the coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If the compressor fails then the evaporator won’t be able to do its job, and your home will become uncomfortably hot.
There are a variety of types of HVAC compressors. Each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. For instance the reciprocating compressor features pistons that move between up and down inside a cylinder, and this movement creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. When the piston moves downwards it reduces the volume of gas, and then a discharge valve opens to expels the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser coil.
This type of compressor comes with a clutch and a crankshaft, which helps the piston in compressing the air. A rotary compressor has blades that are within the cylinder to assist in compressing the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, making it a popular choice for residential applications.
The HVAC compressors of both kinds are designed to raise temperature of the liquid while it is compressed. This results in the formation of a 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 return to its liquid state.
You can prevent most AC issues by keeping up with your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for many years, and will give you peace of mind knowing your home is always in good condition. If you do have a problem with the compressor, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining which repairs are the best for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is your heating and cooling system’s brain, and it controls the time and frequency at which the system is turned on and off. It measures the temperature of the air and compares it to a preset desired level. The thermostat will send a signal to adjust the temperature if off by a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats gauge temperature using the digital sensor, also known as the thermosistor. The thermistor consists of two metals that expand in different ways when heated up and cause the metals to bend in an opposite directions. When the thermistor is at its set temperature it sends a signal to the circuit board to turn on your heating or AC system.
The touchscreens on newer models make it simple to program and operate. Many thermostats can be programmed to automatically heat and cool your home at certain times. This means you don’t have to worry about having to set them manually each day. Additionally, they offer information on energy usage so that you can figure out how to cut back on expenses.
If you have an older electromechanical model, the method of operation is a little more complex. It is composed of a bimetallic band which is bonded to mercury the vial. If the temperature changes, it causes the mercury in the vial to tilt and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial is tilted, it triggers the thermostat to turn on the heating or cooling system.
To keep your thermostat in good working condition It is essential to clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that has built up. You must also ensure that it’s not tangled or unbalanced. In some cases the thermostat may be experiencing issues with its readings because of an unclean evaporator coil or the thermistor being damaged. In this scenario, you’ll have to contact an expert to fix it. If the problem is something else, like blank screens or a blank screen, you can try replacing the batteries or making sure that your breaker hasn’t been tripped. This is a good example of how you can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system more efficient by gaining knowledge about it and optimizing its use.