5 Crucial Heat Pump Components in St. Cloud, FL
Heat pumps are the principal system that homeowners in St. Cloud, FL use to heat their homes, as they are both powerful and efficient. It’s worthwhile for anyone in the market for a new heating system to learn a few things about heat pumps. Here’s some information about five important heat pump components and what they do.
1. Evaporator and Condenser Coils
The evaporator and condenser coils are under the same heading because each can change depending on whether the heat pump is in heating mode or cooling mode. In heating mode, the coils located outside function as evaporators, and the ones inside work as condensers. In cooling mode, the opposite is true.
When in heating mode, the system pulls in air from outdoors and passes it over the evaporator coil, which is full of liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs heat from that air (even cold air contains some heat!) and evaporates into a gas. After that, the refrigerant goes to the compressor.
After leaving the compressor, hot, pressurized refrigerant moves indoors to the condenser coil. Once inside, this hot air comes into contact with the relatively cool indoor air and condenses. When this happens, the refrigerant releases its heat, and the system distributes that heat throughout your home.
In cooling mode, the reverse of the above process happens. This time, refrigerant pulls the heat out of indoor air. After going to the compressor, the refrigerant moves to the outdoor condenser coil, then condenses and expels its heat.
2. Compressor
We’ve already mentioned the compressor, but now, we will explain what it is. The compressor’s job is to compress high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant until it is even hotter and at an even higher pressure.
The compressor needs to do this because otherwise, the refrigerant may not be able to condense properly once it reaches the condenser coil. In that case, it wouldn’t release enough heat, and the heat pump wouldn’t be able to do its job.
Heat pumps designed in more recent years offer special variable-speed fan compressors that work faster or slower to keep your home at a consistently stable temperature.
3. Reversing Valve
The reversing valve is what allows heat pumps to shift back and forth between heating and cooling modes. Which mode the pump is in depends on the direction in which refrigerant flows. The reversing valve has the power to channel this flow in one direction or the other.
4. Fans
None of the actions that we’ve already described can happen if air doesn’t move around. Fans are responsible for doing that.
Fans pull in air and push it over the different coils during the various stages of the heat pump’s process. They also push both warm and cold air around your home when necessary.
Fan malfunctions are one of the most common problems that heat pump owners request HVAC repair or maintenance services for. If one of your heat pump’s fan blades comes loose, one of the most prominent signs of this is a persistent banging noise.
5. Motors
Blower motors are the powerhouses in every heat pump. Thanks to a set of electric capacitors, they can power on and activate the fan blades. Working synergistically with the other parts we’ve been discussing, blower motors move the heated or cooled air throughout your ductwork.
The blower motor is another component that triggers calls for repair. Signs of a bad motor include loud noises and reduced overall airflow.
With this peek into the inner workings of heat pumps, you may wonder whether they’re a good fit for your home in St. Cloud, FL this winter. If you’re considering a new HVAC system, call Frank’s Air Conditioning and ask our heat pump service specialists for guidance on the subject.
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