As a result of shortages in key equipment, HVAC businesses need to change their business strategies. This includes purchasing supplies and equipment from the nearest supplier to reduce travel time for their technicians.
Some of the most critical parts of an HVAC system are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. These include fuses, filters and gas valves.
Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil in an air conditioner or heat pump works alongside the condenser coil to complete the system’s heat exchange process that results in refrigerated cooling and in some cases heating. This is the coil that absorbs indoor air and moves it to the ducts through your home.
It uses U-shaped tubes that are lined with metal “fins” to help the refrigerant absorb the heat energy from your indoor air. This process is essential to your home’s cooling efficiency and should not be neglected. A dirty evaporator coil limits the system’s ability to lower your home temperature and may even cause it to stop functioning altogether.
Condenser Coil
The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit and helps the refrigerant transfer heat to the air. This airflow is facilitated by a fan that blows outside air over the coil. Once the heat has been released, the refrigerant changes back into a liquid.
Dirty coils interfere with the ability of your air conditioner to transfer heat. Mold and mildew spores collect on the evaporator coil and prevent air flow. Vegetation like grass, leaves and twigs can also block the blower fan, making it harder for your AC to work.
The condenser coil is directly behind the thin metal fins on your outdoor unit. It’s made of copper or other material that efficiently disperses heat.
Refrigerant Lines
Every appliance or piece of equipment is made up of various components that are crucial to its functioning. One of these components is the refrigerant lines that are responsible for the circulation of the refrigerant. Hence, they need to be properly maintained to ensure that the refrigerant flows properly.
Copper refrigerant lines connect your outdoor air conditioner or heat pump to the indoor evaporator coil. These lines are insulated with tubing and have two sizes: the larger suction line, also known as a return line or vapor line, and the smaller liquid line.
Both should have adequate insulation to protect them from damage, such as lawn mowers or nails driven into a wall by construction workers. The insulation should also be protected from UV damage.
Thermostat
Mechanical thermostats use thermal expansion to switch an electric circuit connected to your furnace on and off. A traditional one uses a strip of two different metals bolted together to create a bridge that carries electricity and switches on your heating. When the strip heats up, one of the metals expands, bending the bridge enough to break open the circuit.
This allows the other metal to contact a microswitch, which turns off the electric current and the heating. As the unit cycles ON and OFF, your home’s temperature rises and falls (this is called swing) to maintain the set temperature you choose. The digital thermostats you see today have electronic controls instead of the bimetallic strips in older mechanical thermostats.
Air Filter
Air filters can make the difference between stuffy air that is full of pollutants and fresh clean air that makes you feel healthy. They can also help prevent damage to your HVAC equipment.
Mechanical filters use a filtration system that traps particles on the filter surface. They are available in a range of sizes with different MERV ratings to target specific types of particles and contaminants.
Pleated filters have more surface area to trap a greater number of particles than non-pleated options. They are available in both disposable and reusable formats. Washable filters must be carefully maintained to keep them effective, with special attention given to ensuring they’re completely dry before reinserting them. Failure to do so can lead to mildew and mold on the filter, causing it to degrade faster than a disposable option.
Ductwork
The ductwork is the main conduits that air travels through to reach each room in your house. It’s responsible for keeping your indoor air temperature at the ideal level.
The types of materials used in your ductwork can have a significant impact on how efficient they are. You’ll need to be aware of the different options that are available.
Duct pipes and trunks are the main paths for air to go from the furnace to other parts of your home. They’re usually made from steel or aluminium and are a rigid type of duct. These ducts can be prone to punctures and kinks, which may limit their efficiency over time. Hvac parts near me
