Installation and Components of Air Conditioning

There are many types of air conditioning systems that can be used in the home, including window units, portable air conditioners, ductless air conditioners and central air conditioning systems. Despite their differences, however, the physics of how they work is the same, and they all use the following components and direct expansion refrigeration. In principle, it works very much the same way as your food refrigerator. The three basic parts of an air conditioner are the evaporator, the compressor, and the condenser. The evaporator can be found on the part of the air conditioner inside the house, while the compressor and condenser are located in the outside unit.

Regardless of the type of installation, all air conditioning unitsconsist of four major components that are:

Evaporator

An evaporator is basically a heat exchanger coil that’s responsible for collecting heat from inside a room through a refrigerant gas. This component is known as the evaporator, and is where the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates to become gas.

Compressor

As the name clearly signifies, this is where compression of the gaseous refrigerant occurs. It’s located in the outside unit, such as the part that’s installed outside the house.

Condenser

The condenser receives the vaporized refrigerant from the compressor, converts it back to liquid and expels the heat outside. Needless to say, it’s also located on the outside unit of the split Las Vegas air conditioning.

Expansion valve

Also referred to as the throttling device, the expansion valve is located between the two sets of coils which the chilled coils of the evaporator and the hot coils of the condenser. It keeps tabs on the amount of refrigerant moving towards the evaporator. Note that in the case of window air conditioning units, the three aforementioned components are all located inside a small metal box that is installed in a window opening.

Air conditioning units are found in any place that requires cooling and this includes homes, cars, hotels and even ships. To simplify things we’re going to limit the scope of this discussion to central air conditioning systems, most of which are split or central systems which those air conditioning systems commonly found in homes and offices in which some of the parts that make up the air conditioning system are found inside of the home or office building and other parts are located outside of the home or office building.

Modern life wouldn't be as comfortable as it is without air conditioning technology. It’s important to know and understand that air conditioning systems are closed pressurized systems. Flowing through the system is a coolant that facilitates heat transfer. This “fluid” is called the refrigerant. The refrigerant is a chemical compound with the physical and chemical characteristics necessary to facilitate the proper operation of the system. This means that it needs to have the correct boiling point, freezing point, etc. to allow for the system to work correctly. If the chemical doesn’t meet the exact criteria required by the system then it cannot be used.

Your Las Vegas air conditioning system needs to be maintained just like any other aspect of your home's HVAC system.

How Heating and Cooling Is Important

Heating and air conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and overall air quality in homes, businesses, and other buildings. By providing a climate controlled environment, refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items. Heating for a building is typically accomplished by heating up Water or Air and distributing it through a series of pipes or ductwork.  Heating with water can be referred to as hydronic heating, unless the water is heated up to a point where it turns into steam. Heating is a wide-ranging area, however in the context of HVAC the term generally applies to heat pumps rather than everyday heating devices such as radiators and fans. Heat pumps work by extracting heat from various sources which may include environmental air, exhaust air from a building, or from the ground. This makes them an efficient solution for larger premises and a common component of modern air conditioning installations. Commonly found in buildings today, while steam is reserved for older homes and facilities like hospitals and universities.  Air, on the other hand, may be simply referred to as a forced-air heating system.  These systems can vary in size from small residential units to large commercial air-handling units.

Eventually in a long period of time, your heating equipment deteriorates. It happens eventually in every home. No comforting sound of the system firing up and no warmth rising from the air vents or radiators. Hopefully it’s a simple problem that’s a quick and inexpensive fix, like a tripped circuit breaker or a clogged filter. But occasionally the heating repair Las Vegas is so big and costly. Humidity control is sometimes the root of problem that originally spurred. Lack of humidity control in hot, humid climates, in particular, can lead to mold growth and other moisture-related problems. High indoor humidity can lead to health and comfort problems. Modern heating and cooling units dehumidify as they cool which you can see that by the water that drains away, but this dehumidification is incidental to their main job of controlling temperature. They cannot independently control both temperature and humidity. Although there are some leading edge heating and cooling systems that promise to independently control humidity, conventional systems may not be able to sufficiently control the problem and can cause comfort or mold problems in certain situations. Some current high-end systems have enhanced dehumidification, but when the existing system cannot sufficiently dehumidify, it may be necessary to buy a stand-alone dehumidifier.

If the problem presents a safety hazard, heating repair Las Vegas is needed. But a replacement is another option if it cost greatly for heating repairs. Some examples and situation like, if your furnace has a cracked heat exchanger which the metal wall between the burning fuel and the air it’s heating poisonous carbon monoxide gas could work its way into the household air supply, something you don’t want to risk. Other problems, like faulty electronics and stuck valves, can be repaired, which means you’ll need to do a cost-benefit analysis.

Consider replacement only if the equipment is beyond three-quarters of its life expectancy and repairs will cost more than a third of replacement, In these days of high fuel costs and concerns over our carbon footprints, you should also consider your heating plant’s efficiency.

Checking Your Air Conditioning Unit

With the harsh summer seasons, it’s very important you prepare your air conditioning unit to cool your warm day at home. Air conditioning units use refrigeration to chill indoor air, a liquid converts to a gas which a process called phase conversion that absorbs heat. Air conditioning units exploit this feature of phase conversion by forcing special chemical compounds to evaporate and condense over and over again in a closed system of coils. An air conditioner, often referred to as AC, is among the most essential equipment that we need to make our lives comfortable and cooler. They help keep our houses warm when it is hot so that we are comfortable in it. Also, these gadgets decrease humidity levels so that we do not have to feel sticky. They purify air by filtering out smoke particles, mites and odors. In today’s great advancement of technology, air conditioning Las Vegas manufacturers today design that not only have faster cooling rates but which also saves electricity. Today's air conditioners also come with anti-dust filters, built-in stabilizers as well as auto adjust temperature feature so that you can have good night's sleep. But just like other equipment, air conditioning units need to be regularly maintained for them to give peak performance and prolong their lifespan.

Over time, the pad upon which the condenser unit sits can begin to tip as the soil settles beneath it. An out-of-level condenser unit can cause the compressor within to fail early. Check the condenser for level and use rot-resistant shims to bring it back to level. Over time, your air conditioning Las Vegas unit collects algae and mold can build up and potentially plug the drain, so if the drain is either not flowing or flowing very slowly, it will need to be unplugged. A plugged drain can either cause damage by flooding onto the floor or, if the system is equipped with a drain float, cause the system to stop cooling in order to avoid flooding. The filter in your HVAC system should be changed at least twice a year once just before the heating season begins and once before the cooling season begins. If you live in a particularly dusty area, you may want to change it more often. Always replace the filter with a new filter that has the same airflow rating.

The compounds involved are refrigerants that have properties enabling them to change at relatively low temperatures. Air conditioners also contain fans that move warm interior air over these cold, refrigerant-filled coils. In fact, central air conditioners have a whole system of ducts designed to funnel air to and from these serpentine, air-chilling coils. An air conditioning unit can change the temperature, humidity or general quality of the air. Specifically, an air conditioning Las Vegas unit makes your home cooler, by drawing heat energy out of the house and transferring that heat to the outdoors, then replacing the air inside your home with cooler air.

Central Air Systems Maintenance

Having the most energy-efficient system ever built won't matter much if it's not maintained. Lack of maintenance is the number one problem causes of central air conditioner systems. Before each cooling season, it's recommended that your system get a professional tune-up. However, there are things you can do in the meantime to make sure your North Las Vegas central air conditioner system runs efficiently throughout the year.

• Replacing the filter in any central air conditioner systems is a must. Learn your manufacturer's instructions for cleaning or replacing your filters. Never run the system without the filters in place, and always let a washed filter dry completely before reinstalling it. Once a month clear any leaves or debris from outdoor condensers. This is especially crucial during the summer months. Clean the condenser fan blades before the start of the cooling season. Brush any dust or debris off gently and then uncover the condenser coils, gently cleaning the dirty side. Then wrap the motor and other electrical components in plastic bags and gently spray from the inside with a hose. Also, check the base pan under the unit and clear it out of any debris that has gathered.

• Inspect your central air conditioner fan blades every maintenance period. If your fan has been making a clicking noise that means it's been striking something. If your blade has bent, don't try to straighten it. It could have become unbalanced and will only cause more problems down the line. Replace the blade. Maintain a 2 foot clearance around your unit. Don't let any plant or vegetation grow near it as it could obstruct the HVAC's ability to "breathe". If you have a lawn near the unit, make sure any grass cuttings fly away from it. During autumn seasons, be sure to keep leaves away from the fan grill to avoid blockage. Lubricate the condenser fan motor. If there are oil ports, they will be covered with rubber or metal caps. 10 drops of SAE 20 oil per port is sufficient. Shade the compressor unit if possible, have some kind of shading over it to keep the air temperature around it 5 to 6 degrees cooler than the unshaded air. 

• Have a form-fitting cover during the winter months. Do not run the unit when it's colder than 60 degrees outside. Clean the indoor evaporator coil and remove the front panel of your heating unit by using a soft brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner gently clean any dust off of the coil. Inspect the fins, making sure they're straight. If any are bent, a fin comb can be bought at any refrigeration supply dealer. Clean the drain pipe and evaporator trap: Flush the trap with water and then disinfect with one tablespoon of bleach.

Clean registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed. Be sure to move furniture, carpeting or drapes so they are not blocking the registers, heaters or radiators. Your North Las Vegas central air conditioner contractor should be able to provide fact sheets for various models so you can compare energy usage.

How HVAC Systems Work

The primary function of the HVAC system in your home the (heating, ventilation and air condition system) is to provide thermal comfort with the control the temperature and produce acceptable indoor air quality by controlling humidity and filtering the air in the room. There are many heating and air conditioning systems to choose from today. Your HVAC system dealer can draw on a vast degree of heating and air conditioning knowledge and experience to help you decide on what HVAC system that best fits your specific needs. The size of your home, as well as the number of rooms, climate, local and regional utility costs, and utility incentive programs are all factors that will affect the functionality and, the type you wanted for your HVAC system.

Types of Commercial HVAC System
Commercial structures can benefit from a number of interconnected systems that provide heating and cooling to individual floors or other areas. Some you may see in a large-scale commercial HVAC system that includes:

• Heat Pumps extract heat from air or water for heating like a refrigerator in reverse. In a water source heat pump, a pipe carries water through the structure to supply the heat pump.
• Roof top units are found on the roof or ground and duct the conditioned air into the space. They’re very common in commercial HVAC applications in New York.
• Chillers generate cool water distributed to air cooling coils via piping systems.
• Heaters come in two types – common hot air furnaces that burn fuel to heat the air, and radiant heaters that use invisible infrared radiation to heat objects directly.

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning or HVAC system of any building is like the respiratory system of a human being. It controls the movement, quality and temperature of air to ventilate, warm and cool the organism. Energy is consumed by the parts of the system that heat and cool the air and movement of air with fans requires energy. Air or water is heated or cooled using direct contact with heat or refrigerants and pushed through pathways thru ducts or tubes, escaping through outlets or vents until it travels throughout the structure. The air or water then returns to its origin to be heated or cooled again. Well-engineered ventilation patterns aid circulation, introduce fresh air and controls the build-up of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide  and miscellaneous toxic gases from building materials and household activities.

Here are the three main functions of your HVAC system and how they work:

Heating
Heating function of your HVAC system does heats your home. This is done via a central heating system. The surrounding air enters the unit and is warmed by a heat pump furnace system. With a heat pump or warm air system, heat is distributed through a system of air ducts in the home.

Ventilation
The ventilation function of your HVAC system works to maintain the highest possible air quality inside your home. High air quality is achieved by ventilating air through a series of ducts and circulating the air back into the home. The air can be exchanged with outdoor air and circulated from air within the building.

Air Conditioning
Air conditioning systems are often misunderstood, as many believe they cool the air inside your home. The air conditioning function of your HVAC system North Las Vegas works by removing humidity from the air, and then using a refrigeration system to remove heat from the air. This removal of moisture and heat creates a cooling effect.

Well-designed HVAC systems, passive filters, insulation and gravity make the system more effective and efficient. New conservation practices and systems using alternative energies are being designed to improve efficiency.

Checking and Maintaining Your AC Work Properly

In order to inspect your air condition system, turn off your air conditioner to protect your equipment and more importantly you from preventing to electric shocks. Always check to see if you've successfully turned off your system by attempting to turn heating and cooling on and off from your existing thermostat. To turn the power off to your heating and cooling systems, you'll need to find the switches that control power to the heating and cooling equipment in your home. For standard homes, you'll find these switches in your breaker or fuse box. If you have both Las Vegas heating and cooling, there may be a switch for heating and a switch for cooling, or just one switch that controls both.

Always check to see if you've successfully turned off your air condition system by attempting to turn heating and cooling on and off from your existing thermostat. In some standard homes, the switch that controls the power to heating or cooling systems isn't in the breaker box. Instead, the switch will be near the heating or cooling equipment. These switches often look like light switches. If there's a switch near your equipment that looks like a light switch but doesn't control lighting, it may be the primary power switch for your heating and cooling system. Household heating and cooling systems are essential components of home comfort and safety and to consumers. Maintain them well to keep heating and cooling functioning properly. Your power bill and your household's safety in inclement weather depend upon proper care and maintenance.

Keep in mind that you need maintenance routines to your schedule to keep hard-working heating and cooling systems working properly:

Checking and changing filters regularly
Clogged air filters reduce airflow and make heating and cooling systems work longer and harder, consuming more energy and causing premature wear. Check system manuals, and change disposable filters regularly to keep air circulating freely. Clean filters and changed at least once a month, disposable filters clean the air of dirt, mold spores and pollen before it settles as dust on household surfaces.

Keeping compressors clean and functional
Central air conditioning and heat pump systems rely on outdoor compressor units to exchange hot air for cold. To do the job, these units need unobstructed surroundings. Each spring and fall, check the area around compressors for obstructions. Remove or cut any nearby shrubs or plants. Remove leaves and debris from the sides and base of the unit. Make sure compressors are free to breathe and circulate air.

Making appointments for air condition service
Heating and air conditioning systems require regular professional maintenance. Don't wait for your air condition system to break down before the weather changes. You'll have the service technician's full attention if he's not hopping to respond to emergency calls after the first hard freeze.

Ask for professional opinions
While he's on the around, ask the service technician for advice about your Las Vegas heating and cooling systems. Most techs love talking about their job, and are happy to give pointers on how to keep your unit running efficiently.

Heating and Air Conditioning

Heating and Air conditioning Principles

A heat pump, as part of a central heating and cooling system, uses the outside air to both heat a home in winter and cool it in summer. Think of a heat pump as a heat transporter constantly moving warm air from one place to another, to where it is needed or not needed, depending on the season. Even in air that's seems too cold, heat energy is present. When it's cold outside a heat pump extracts this outside heat and transfers it inside. When it’s warm outside, it reverses directions and acts like a Las Vegas heating and air conditioning, removing heat from your home.

One advantage of a heat pump is that it moves heat instead of generating heat, giving you more energy efficiency. Also, it is powered by electricity, so you can save substantially on fuel consumption. For example, a Trane XL20i heat pump is among the HVAC industry’s most efficient, with a rating up to 19.00 SEER and 9.00 HSPF.

Note that heat pumps are best for moderate climates, and a supplemental heating source may be needed for lower temperatures. As a year-round solution for home comfort, Trane heat pumps can become a key part of your matched system. An independent Trane dealer can help you decide if a heat pump system is right for you. Heaters produce air movement as hot air rises and then falls as it cools.

All heaters produce air movement as the hot air rises from the heater to the ceiling. Air is cooled when in contact with windows and poorly insulated walls and ceilings. The cooled air falls and is drawn back along the floor to the heater.

Sitting in draughts created by air movement can make you feel much colder. Minimise draughts from windows and use heavy curtains with snug pelmets or other ways of preventing air flow through gaps at the top and sides of window coverings to stop convection and radiant heat loss. Always consider appropriate clothing to stay warm and reduce the effects of draughts. Position your furniture to deflect or avoid draughts.

Use passive design principles to increase comfort and reduce the need for cooling. Insulate your home and shade windows from summer sun. Never use mechanical cooling as a substitute for good design. However, many existing homes do not include good design features for Las Vegas heating and air conditioning, and climate change is bringing higher night-time temperatures, so cooling equipment may be needed at times.

The better insulated, shaded and draught-proofed a house is, the smaller (and cheaper to buy and run) the cooling unit needed, and the less often it needs to run.

Combustion gases are generated by the burners in your furnace and passed through a heat exchanger. Air from your home is blowing across the heat exchanger to be warm. It is then blown through a system of ducts to distribute around your home. During warm seasons your heating system works with your central air conditioning. Air is cooled as it’s blown over your air conditioning unit’s cooling coil, often attached to the air circulating fan of the furnace, and then sent through the same air ducts throughout your home.

HVAC Systems

Many of the new HVAC systems can be controlled remotely from a smart phone. Save energy during the workday by adjusting it to your comfort before you head home. With remote access to your system from a smartphone or the Internet, you can control your heating and cooling system from anywhere, allowing you to adjust settings and save energy when you don't need it. Over time, the thermostat learns your schedule and preferences and automatically adjusts for you. Some even have sensors that can tell when no one's home and lower the temperature automatically.

Make sure to schedule your preventative maintenance. With a home maintenance plan, you'll lower your monthly utility bills by having a more efficient HVAC system Las Vegas. More importantly, a maintained system dramatically lengthens the life of your equipment, saving you thousands of dollars by not having to prematurely replace your system. Central humidifiers regulate the moisture content of the air inside your home. Excessively dry air creates an IAQ hazard since contaminants stay airborne for longer periods. When the HVAC system Las Vegas operates, these pollutants are transferred from room to room until they are unwittingly inhaled by an occupant. Humidifiers use sensors to sample the air and introduce steam or an atomized mist into the airstream when necessary. Over time, the ductwork in your home will accumulate a variety of unhealthy contaminants. After inspecting the interior of the ductwork, technicians use an industrial-strength vacuum to place the system under a severe negative pressure. Hair, dander, dirt and other irritants are pulled out of the air distribution grid and deposited in a sealed container for disposal. Regular duct cleaning will improve indoor air quality and prolong the life of your HVAC equipment.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, commonly called HVAC systems, is the service and installation of heating and cooling equipment. The main emphasis is on domestic, with some instruction on light commercial. HVAC technicians work mostly in homes, schools, hospitals, office buildings, or factories. Their worksites may be very hot or cold because the heating and cooling systems they must repair may not be working properly and because some parts of these systems are located outdoors. Working in cramped spaces and during irregular hours is common. Because HVACR systems have become increasingly complex, employers generally prefer applicants with postsecondary education or those who have completed an apprenticeship. Some states and localities require technicians to be licensed.

If you plan to move in the near future, repair is often the best choice when it's feasible. However, if you plan on staying in your home, it's wise to invest in an energy efficient A/C -heat pump system that has the capacity to cool your home efficiently and cost effectively.

The investment could save you thousands of dollars over time, not to mention create a much better living environment for you and your family. Even the best-maintained air conditioner will eventually fail. HVAC system Las Vegas professionals recommend following this basic rule when deciding whether it's worth investing in a repair: If the unit is more than 6 years old, and the repair will cost more than half the price of a new system, it's best to buy new. Energy Star recommends replacing an air conditioner that’s more than 10 years old, even if it’s still working. The system won't have many more years left in it, and it's likely to be using more energy than necessary.

Checking an AC Unit

Air conditioning units and HVAC units don’t last forever 10 years is an average lifespan and the moment they fail is usually when you need them the most. If you can hear your Las Vegas air conditioning unit running, but it doesn’t cool well, make sure nothing is blocking or limiting air flow anywhere in the system which is the air filters, registers, and the compressor.

How to Check the Indoor Air Handler

Turn off the power to the air conditioning air handler or furnace. If the air handler is a gas furnace, turn off the gas at the gas valve that serves the furnace. Remove the door on the front of the air-handler cabinet so you can access the filter. Pull out the filter and clean or replace it as necessary. Look for ice. If you see ice in the area around the coils, close the unit back up, turn the power back on, and turn on the fan. The ice should melt within an hour or two.

Only two things cause an AC air handler to freeze up:

1. Reduced air flow because of dirty filters, coils, or poorly working fans, and
2. Low refrigerant level, which a pro must check and, if necessary, recharge. More often than not, the problem comes from reduced air flow.

Clear the Condensate Drain

Air condition unit can create a lot of water because they remove moisture from the air. To get rid of this, they have a [usually plastic] drain pipe that comes out of the side of the air handler. Over time, algae can block this pipe and, when it does, the AC won’t work. In fact, some condensate drains have a float switch that won’t let the AC run if water backs-up. Water can also puddle around the unit or flood the area.

Make sure the compressor is working

When you set the thermostat to a temperature below the room temperature, you should hear the outdoor compressor run and see the fan turning inside the top. If the fan isn’t turning, look for an overload button or switch to reset (not all types have this). Stick a screwdriver or stick down through the top grille and try to spin the fan blades clockwise. They should spin freely. If doing this gives the fan enough of a boost to get it going, the unit has a faulty capacitor that must be replaced.

Air Conditioner Not Blowing Air

If your Las Vegas air conditioning unit doesn’t go on at all when you set the thermostat for a cooler-than-room temperature, either read or study about handling electrical trouble shooting in an air conditioning unit. If you have fairly good DIY skills and a millimetre, go through the diagnostic steps to determine whether the problem may be a condensate pump switch.

The good news is that not every system malfunction spells total doom. Many nuisances are so cheap and easy to fix, you’ll kick yourself for not doing them sooner.

How Air Conditioning System Works

Air conditioning system essentially has four parts: an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion device.

The part inside the home where the refrigerant evaporates is the evaporator, naturally. Fans in the home blow air across the evaporator's coils. The cooling fluid reaches the compressor as a low-pressure gas. The compressor squeezes this gas/fluid, and the molecules in the liquid are packed closer together. The closer the compressor forces these molecules together, the higher the temperature and energy rise. This working fluid exits the compressor as a high-pressure, hot gas, and it moves to the condenser. The outside unit of an air conditioning system has metal fins all around the housing. These fins work like the radiator on a vehicle, and they help dissipate heat more quickly.

As air from the house moves across the evaporator, refrigerant within the coil picks up the temperature of the air. The refrigerant is absorbing heat from the air and turns from a liquid to a vapor. It went from being a cold liquid to a hotter vapor, and at the same time, the air had heat removed from it, so the air went from being warmer to colder.

Indoor Air Conditioning Unit
The indoor unit is typically located in a closet or basement, and is near where your furnace filter is located. The unit consists of a coil box that contains what is called an evaporator.  The evaporator allows for the refrigerant a cooling fluid inside the coil piping or to evaporate and absorb heat. Once the heat is absorbed from inside your home, it leaves nothing but cool air to be sent back into your home.

Just as water absorbs heat from your stove in order to boil (or evaporate) refrigerant absorbs heat from your house. This means that both water and refrigerant turn from liquid to vapor as they absorb heat.

Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit
The outdoor unit is usually located in the rear or side of your house and it is where the heat from inside your home is dispersed. It contains the compressor, condenser coil and a fan. The heat absorbed from your home’s air is transferred to the refrigerant and then pumped to the outdoor unit. As this heat is absorbed and moved by the refrigerant to the outdoor coil, it passes through the compressor.

The compressor in your Las Vegas air conditioning system has the primary job of moving the refrigerant throughout the system. This is important as we can then keep reusing the refrigerant to cool our house. The refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure, and moved through the outdoor coil known as the condenser. As the refrigerant passes through the condenser, a fan delivers ambient air across the condenser coil causing it to cool.

As the process completes, the heat from inside your house is dispersed to the air outside your house. The refrigerant is then pumped back indoors and the whole process repeats.

The entire process of making the air in your property a comfortable temperature is based on a very simple scientific principle, and the rest is achieved by mechanical means.