Your Stewarstown air conditioning and heating unit is a complex piece of machinery. And while you may not want a career in the HVAC industry, you should still have a basic understanding of how your AC and heater work. It can help you care for your unit and prevent serious issues. Before you find yourself looking for someone to repair air and heating near me, learn more about the essential parts of your AC and heating system.
Why You Need to Understand Your AC and Heater
The air conditioner has been around for well over a century. Since it was invented, the HVAC system has been providing people comfort throughout all four seasons. On a cold winter day, your heater is the sole thing between you and frostbite. And on a hot and humid summer day, your AC is the only thing protecting you from overheating. So, you probably don’t need anyone to tell you that your HVAC system is important. But that doesn’t mean you’re providing the right care to your system. Generally, homeowners don’t give much of a thought to their heating and cooling systems. They wait for something to go wrong and then count on a professional for heating and air repair near me.If you find a reputable professional, you can depend on them for a repair. However, there are two issues with this wait and fix approach. First, you might not have a trustworthy professional. Not all companies hire experienced or appropriately trained technicians. When you call them for a repair, they might not do the job well. You might be able to tell a technician is underqualified if you have a basic understanding of your HVAC system.Secondly, your lack of knowledge could cause you to make a mistake or miss something. For instance, you might not realize you need to change your filters frequently or know that a banging noise is a sign of trouble. A little knowledge can save you from a costly repair. What are the Components of Your AC and Heater?
HVAC technicians spend years learning about the various ways in which heating and cooling system’s work. Therefore, you can’t expect to become an expert by reading one blog post. You can, however, learn about the critical parts and find out how they keep your home comfortable. For a quick overview, you should consider the purpose of your heating and cooling system. It controls the air temperature, removes particles from the air, and affects the humidity in your home. Therefore, your AC and heater do much more than maintain a steady temperature in your home. Thanks to filters, drain pans, and other components, your HVAC system also affects air quality and moisture. Here’s a closer look at some of the most important parts of your HVAC system:Thermostat
As one of the simplest parts of your HVAC system, the thermostat is the control panel. If you have a newer HVAC system, you probably have a programmable or smart thermostat. This gives you the ability to set the temperature in your home as well as set routines for your HVAC system. You can program your thermostat to be a certain temperature when you’re at work and another temperature when you’re home. If your thermostat is broken, it won’t be able to tell your AC or heater how to run. For instance, your thermostat may read the temperature as hotter than it actually is. This would cause your AC to run all the time. If your AC or heater isn’t working, you should immediately check your thermostat. It might need its batteries replaced or a replacement. In either case, this can be an easy fix. Evaporator
Inside the blower or air handler, you have an evaporator. This is responsible for taking the refrigerant and converting it from a liquid form to a gas. As a result of this reaction, the air becomes colder and drier. The gas takes the heat from the surrounding air and brings it to the next critical component – the condenser.If there’s no refrigerant or low refrigerant, the evaporator won’t work. One of the leading causes of cooling issues is a lack of refrigerant. Dirty evaporator coils can also cause issues for your HVAC system.Condenser
The condenser brings the hot refrigerant to the outside and releases the heat. As a result, the refrigerant turns from a gas back to a liquid. The heat exchange occurs outside, which is how the hot air is removed from your home.If you have dirty condenser coils, your system won’t be able to release enough heat. Because the condenser is located outside, it’s common for the coils to become dirty. Compressor
This component is essentially a large electric pump. It uses pressure and works with the condenser to transform the state of the refrigerant. If your compressor is broken, your HVAC system won’t work at all.Expansion Valve
A specific amount of refrigerant needs to move into your evaporator at any given time. To limit the flow of the refrigerant, the expansion valve comes into play. It regulates the liquid, and in doing so, plays a key role in the functionality of your HVAC system.Paying Attention to Your HVAC System
You’re still not an expert on your heating and cooling system, but you probably have a better understanding of how things work. With your new knowledge, you can start taking better care of your AC and heater. Don’t take it for granted and provide regular maintenance, and don’t forget to have an annual inspection. If you suspect any issues with your heater or AC, call a professional for help. They may be able to catch an issue before you need a very costly repair. Who to Call for Air and Heating Near Me
Here at Reliability Home Services, you can count on us to take care of your HVAC system. Contact us today for maintenance or repairs. When you depend on us for air and heating near me, you can know that your Stewartstown HVAC system is in good hands.
