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

If your home’s air conditioning is at its peak the high repair costs and energy bills can make it worth investing in an upgrade. A residential HVAC expert can help you choose the best option for your needs.

Gas-powered air conditioners, also referred to as propane air conditioners, use natural gas for heating and condensers that run.

Evaporator

The evaporator coil in your air conditioner is what cools your house. The evaporator coil can be found in a box attached to or within your gas furnace (if you have one) or in an air handler in the event that you don’t have. The evaporator is where the refrigerant turns into a liquid and then absorbs heat from the air in your home.

The evaporator is comprised of one or more copper coils packed tightly together. The refrigerant reaches the coils with low pressure, making it easier to transfer heat when it evaporates into gaseous form.

A fan blows your home’s warm air through the evaporator coil. 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 then moves through the ductwork of your home to every room and circulates until it returns to the air conditioning system through return ducts.

Unlike the compressor, which needs to make the refrigerant gas in high temperatures for efficient cooling, the evaporator requires it to raise its boiling point to a low temperature to allow for efficient air cooling. The evaporator uses its own fans to accomplish this final goal.

The metering device of the evaporator assists to ensure that the refrigerant maintains the same amount of liquid within it. The low-side floating is designed to open when there is no liquid in the evaporator. It will close when liquid enters the coils.

There are two types of evaporators, noncased and cases-based. The most commonly used type of evaporator that you will find in your home is the cased one. It is enclosed within the metal casing that surrounds your air conditioning unit. A non-cased evaporator is the same but it doesn’t have the outer shell that protects it.

Both evaporators share the same function, but it’s important to select the one that will meet your home’s specific needs. Certain models are more suited to harsher environments, while others may be more appropriate for milder conditions. You should also take into consideration how easy it would be to clean and maintain the evaporator as this could save you time, money and effort in the long time.

Condenser

Condensers are among the three major components of the cooling system in your home. They aid in the operation of the system efficiently. It is situated outside of the house, connected to the evaporator coil via refrigerant lines. It is also home to an array of fans and metal fins which work to eliminate heat from the refrigerant gas which has been transported here from the evaporator. The heat removed from the refrigerant gas aids it to cool before turning back into liquid form.

A compressor is attached to the condenser unit. It helps 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 then passes into the condenser coils, which absorb the heat that is not being released from the surrounding air. After the cooling process and the refrigerant is pumped back into the compressor where it is pressurized again before being pumped into the evaporator coil. There, the process begins all over again.

Since the condenser is situated outside, it is exposed to the elements. Debris such as leaves or twigs, grass clippings, or even roofing shingles could cause damage to the condenser. A universal HVAC condenser can protect your heating and cooling equipment from damage when not in use.

It is also essential to not shade the condenser. This can impede air flow and force the compressor to work harder to cool your home. This can result in higher energy bills as well as a possible loss of refrigerant.

Regular maintenance will ensure that your HVAC system is running efficiently. Regularly having a professional technician check the major components of your HVAC system will 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 and cooling system and reduce energy bills.

Compressor

A compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit, and it circulates refrigerant through the system to keep it cool. It’s similar to the blood in your body as it pumps the coolant between your evaporator coils as well as the condenser. If something is wrong with the compressor, it will prevent the evaporator and condenser from doing their job and leave your home uncomfortably warm.

There are many different types of HVAC compressors and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance the reciprocating compressor is comprised of pistons that move upwards and downwards within the cylinder. This action creates suction which draws in refrigerant. As the piston moves down it decreases the volume of gas, and then a discharge valve is opened to release the refrigerant pressurized into the condenser coil.

This kind of compressor also comes with a clutch and a crankshaft that helps the piston in compressing the air. A rotary compressor comes with blades that are within the cylinder, which help compress the air. This kind of compressor is quiet, making it a popular choice for residential applications.

Both types of HVAC compressors are designed to increase the temperature of the refrigerant liquid while it is compressed, ensuring that the vapor that leaves the compressor is high-temperature and high pressure. Since heat naturally flows from higher-temperature substances to lower temperature ones the hot vapor will flow into the evaporator coils and return to its original liquid state.

While you can’t prevent the occasional problem with the compressor, you can prevent the majority of AC problems by keeping track of your maintenance schedule. This will help your equipment last for a long time and will give you peace of mind knowing that your home is always at ease. If you do experience a problem with the compressor or the compressor itself, your Griffith Energy Services technician can assist you in determining what repair options are most suitable for you.

Thermostat

The thermostat is the brain of your cooling and heating system, allowing it to control when and how it turns off and on. It compares the temperature of the air to a pre-set desired level. The thermostat will send an indication to alter the temperature if it’s off a few degrees. The majority of modern thermostats monitor temperature using an electronic sensor referred to as a thermistor. The thermistor is made up of two metals that expand differently when heated up, causing the metals to bend in opposite direction. When the thermistor reaches the temperature that it is set, it signals to the circuit board that your heating or AC should be switched on.

Modern thermostats come with touchscreens that make them simple to use and program. A lot of thermostats are programmed to automatically heat and cool your home according to specific times. This will save you from having to set them manually every day. In addition, they provide reports on energy consumption to help you figure out how to cut down on expenses.

If you have an older electromechanical model, the way it operates is a little more complex. It is comprised of a bimetallic piece that is attached to a vial with mercury. If the temperature changes the mercury in the vial moves, either complete or rupturing an electrical circuit. When the vial tipping, the thermostat turns on the cooling and heating system.

To keep your thermostat in good working order You must clean it frequently to get rid of any dust that may have accumulated. Also, ensure that it is not crooked or loose. In some instances the thermostat could be experiencing issues with its readings due to an evaporator coil that is dirty or the thermistor being damaged. In this case you’ll have to call in an expert to fix the issue. If you’re experiencing different issue, for instance blank displays try replacing your batteries or making sure whether your breaker has not in a state of being tripped. This is a good example of how you can make your HVAC system more efficient by learning about it and maximizing its use.