What Are the Main Parts of Your Heating Air Conditioning Unit?
It may be worth investing in a replacement 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 option for your needs.
Most cooling systems rely upon electricity to cool and heat homes, but some, such as gas-powered or propane air conditioners, utilize natural gas to fuel furnaces and run condensers in split systems.
Evaporator
The evaporator coil of your air conditioner is what cools your house. The evaporator coil can be found in a container 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 the place where the refrigerant turns into a liquid and absorbs heat from the air inside your home.
The evaporator consists of one or more copper coils that are tightly packed. The refrigerant reaches the coils at a low pressure, which makes it easier for it to transfer heat as it evaporates to gaseous form.
A fan blows the warm air from your home over the evaporator coil. This 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 of your home to each room.
The evaporator, in contrast to the compressor, needs to raise the boiling point of the refrigerant to a low temperature to allow for effective air cooling. The evaporator is also equipped with its own fans to help achieve this goal.
The evaporator metering system ensures that the liquid refrigerant is always at a constant level. The low-side float 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 types of evaporators, noncased and cases-based. A cased evaporator will be the one you’ll most likely to find in your home since it’s enclosed within the metal casing of your air conditioning unit. An uncased evaporator is similar, except it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.
Both evaporators have the same purpose but it’s important to select a model that can meet the specific requirements of your home. Some models are more suited to more harsh environments, whereas others might be more appropriate for milder conditions. Also, you should take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator since this could save you time, money, and hassle in the long in the long.
Condenser
Condensers are among the three main components of the cooling system in your home. They assist in making it operate efficiently. It is located outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil by refrigerant lines. It also houses several metal fins and fans that remove heat from the refrigerant gas that was transferred from the evaporator. The heat that is removed allows the refrigerant to cool down and transform back to liquid form.
A compressor is connected to the condenser unit. It is used to pressurize low-pressure liquid refrigeration that is pumped out of the evaporator coil. The compressor’s squeezing action increases the temperature, which is carried into the condenser to absorb heat trapped in the air. After the cooling cycle is completed the refrigerant is moved into the compressor, where it will be pumped under pressure before being sent back to the evaporator coil.
Since the condenser is situated outdoors, it is vulnerable to the elements. Debris like twigs or leaves grass clippings, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles, can damage the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can shield your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.
Do not shade the condenser. This can decrease air flow, forcing the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This could lead to increased energy costs and possibility of losing refrigerant.
Regular maintenance of your HVAC system can help ensure that the condenser is working effectively. Regularly having a professional technician inspect all major components of your HVAC system will help prevent major problems. In addition, having an expert service team examine your refrigerant levels frequently will also help keep any problems from developing. Follow these steps to extend the life of your heating and cooling system and reduce energy bills.
Compressor
The compressor is the main component of your air conditioning. It pumps refrigerant through the system, ensuring that everything stays cool. It is like the blood in your body when it pumps the coolant between your evaporator coils and 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 myriad of different kinds of HVAC compressors. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance the reciprocating compressor is comprised of a piston that moves between up and down inside the cylinder. This motion creates suction that draws in the refrigerant. As the piston moves downwards it reduces the gas volume. A discharge valve opens to release the pressurized refrigeration from the condenser.
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 type of compressor is quiet, which makes it a popular option for residential use.
Both kinds of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid while it is compressed, so that the vapor that leaves the compressor is high-temperature and high pressure. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to those with lower temperatures the hot vapor will move into the evaporator coils before it can transform back to its liquid state.
While you can’t avoid the chance of having problems with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC issues by being on top of your maintenance schedule. This will ensure that your equipment will last for years and provide peace of mind that your home will remain comfortable. Griffith Energy Services can help you choose the best repair option if you have a compressor issue.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the brains of your cooling and heating system, allowing it to control the time and frequency at which it turns off and on. It compares the temperature of the air to a pre-set desired level. The thermostat will send an alert to adjust the temperature if off by a few degrees. Most modern thermostats use the digital sensor, also known as the thermistor, which measures the temperature. The thermistor is made up of two different metals that expand at different rates when they warm up and bend in opposite directions. When the thermistor is at the temperature it was set to it sends a signal to the circuit board that your heating or AC should be turned on.
Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. They can be programmed to automatically cool or heat your home at specific time frames, which avoids the hassle of having to manually set the temperature each day. In addition, they provide information on energy usage to help you figure out how to cut back on costs.
If you have an older electromechanical model, it’s slightly more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic ring that is bonded to mercury a vial. If the temperature changes, the mercury in a vial shifts, either completing or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial is tipped it triggers the thermostat to activate the heating or cooling system.
You must regularly clean your thermostat to remove dust. You must also ensure that it isn’t sagging or crooked. In some instances, the thermostat’s readings could be incorrect due to a dirty or damaged evaporator coil. In that scenario, you’ll need to call an expert to fix the problem for you. If you’re experiencing different issue, for instance a blank display try replacing your batteries or ensuring whether your breaker has not connected. This is an example of how your HVAC system can be more efficient if you make the effort to research it and make the most of its use.