What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
If your home’s air conditioning is in its senior years the high repair costs and energy bills can be a reason to consider the purchase of a new unit. A residential HVAC expert can assist you in selecting the right option for your home.
Most cooling systems rely upon electricity to cool and heat homes. However, some, called gas-powered or propane air conditioners, use natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers in split systems.
Evaporator
The evaporator coil in your air conditioner is the one that cools your house. The evaporator coil is in a box that is attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler, in the absence of. The evaporator is where the refrigerant is transformed into a liquid and then absorbs heat in your home’s air.
The evaporator consists of a few copper coils which are tightly packed. The refrigerant is in low pressure as it reaches the coils, making it easier to transfer heat.
A fan blows your home’s warm air through the coil that is used to evaporate the air. The air is then cooled through the removal of heat from the evaporator which alters the refrigerant’s temperature and lowers your indoor air temperature. The cooled air is then circulated through the ductwork in your home to each of the rooms.
The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, only needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to ensure effective air cooling. The evaporator makes use of its own fans in order to achieve this goal.
The evaporator metering system ensures that the liquid refrigerant is always at an unchanging level. The low-side float is designed to be open when there’s no liquid in the evaporator and closes when it detects liquid entering the coils.
There are two kinds of evaporators, cased and noncased. The most common type of evaporator in your home is a cased model. It is enclosed within the metal casing that protects your air conditioning unit. Uncased evaporators are like the cased evaporators, however they don’t have an outer shell with protection.
While both evaporators have the same purpose, it’s important to select a model capable of meeting your home’s unique requirements. For example, some models are more suited to harsher working environments, while others are better suited to 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 time.
Condenser
Condensers are among the three major components of your cooling system. They help it work efficiently. The condenser is located outside the house and is connected to the evaporator by refrigerant pipes. It has metal fins and fans which help to remove heat from the refrigerant which was transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed allows the refrigerant to cool down and transform back to a liquid state.
A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize the low-pressure refrigerant liquid that has been pumped from the evaporator coil. The squeeze action of the compressor raises the temperature of the coolant, which then flows into the condenser coils to absorb heat that is not being released from the air surrounding it. When the cooling process is complete, the refrigerant will be pushed into the compressor to be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.
The condenser unit is exposed elements since it is outside. Debris such as leaves or twigs, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles can damage the condenser. By adding the universal HVAC condenser cover to your heating and cooling system can help to protect 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 lead to more energy costs and a possible loss of refrigerant.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. Regularly having a professional technician inspect the major components of your HVAC system will help prevent 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’ll be able to prolong the longevity of your cooling and heating system as well as reduce your energy costs.
Compressor
A compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant throughout the system to keep it cool. It’s similar to the blood that flows through your body when it pumps coolant between the evaporator coils and condenser. If the compressor fails and the evaporator fails, it will not be able perform its job and your house will be extremely hot.
There are a variety of HVAC compressors and each has its own pros and cons. For example the reciprocating compressor features an engine that moves upwards and downwards within a cylinder, and this motion creates suction that draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves down it decreases the volume of gas, and the discharge valve opens to let the refrigerant that is pressurized out into the condenser coil.
This kind of compressor also comes with a clutch and crankshaft, which assists 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 very quiet, which makes it a popular option for homes.
Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant’s liquid as it is being compressed, ensuring that the vapor which exits the compressor is high-temperature and high pressure. It is normal for heat to flow from high-temperature substances 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 prevent the possibility of having a problem with your compressor, you can stop the majority of AC problems by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for many years, and it will provide you with peace of mind knowing your home is always in good condition. If you do experience a problem with the compressor then your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are most suitable for you.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your heating and cooling system, allowing it to control when and how it 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 it is off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats employ 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 bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature that it is set it informs the circuit board that your heating or AC should be turned on.
Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them easy to use and program. They can be programmed to automatically heat or cool your house at specific times, which saves you the effort of having to manually set the temperature each day. They also provide information on energy consumption so you can discover ways to reduce costs.
If you have an old electromechanical model, it’s slightly more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded to mercury the vial. If the temperature changes in the vial, it causes the mercury in the vial to move and complete or interrupt an electrical circuit. When the vial tips the thermostat, it turns on the cooling and heating system.
To keep your thermostat in good condition It is essential to clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that has accumulated. You should also make sure that it’s not tangled or bent. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings might be inaccurate due to a damaged or dirty evaporator coil. In this situation, you’ll need to contact an expert to fix the problem. If you’re experiencing different problem, such as blank displays Try changing your batteries or ensuring that your breaker is not in a state of being tripped. This is a good illustration of how your HVAC system can be more efficient when you make the effort to research it and make the most of its use.