Evaluate your climate and home size to determine what system will best serve your needs. Choose a manufacturer that offers smart thermostats and zoning systems for optimal comfort and energy efficiency.

Consider a model with a high SEER rating to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact. Choose an air filter with a MERV rating that improves filtration and reduces indoor pollutants. Contact HVAC Round Rock for professional help.

As the name suggests, the evaporator coil resides inside your HVAC system’s indoor air conditioner unit. It is a series of serpentine copper tubes with thousands of protruding fins that enhance heat transfer by increasing surface area. This is one of the most important components in your home cooling system as it is responsible for absorbing the warm indoor air that passes over its cold surface. This thermal energy exchange process cools your home’s air and enables the gas refrigerant to evaporate into a low-temperature liquid.

When your thermostat senses that the ambient temperature has risen above its set point, it sends a signal to your system’s blower fan to begin pulling warm air out of the home. This air then travels to your AC unit where it passes over the evaporator coil’s cold surface. The heat that’s removed from the air is absorbed by the refrigerant, which then evaporates into a low-temperature gas as it cools the air. The cooled air is then blown back into your home through ductwork and vents to create comfortable, cool indoor conditions.

During the phase change that takes place in the evaporator coil, the liquid refrigerant must be constantly supplied with sufficient amount of air to maintain its proper heat absorption capacity. If the coil is starved of air due to clogged ductwork, poor refrigerant velocities or other issues, it can’t complete the process and your system may suffer from diminished cooling performance.

A clean evaporator coil is essential for your home’s air conditioning to function properly. Since the coil is constantly exposed to a flow of air, it’s easier for dirt and dust to accumulate on its surfaces. This can inhibit the coil’s ability to absorb heat from your home’s air, forcing it to use more energy to achieve the same cooling effect.

To help ensure that your evaporator coil always performs at its optimal level, be sure to schedule routine cleaning services for it. Your professional service technician will inspect your coil, identify any issues and provide recommendations based on their findings. When you take the time to keep your evaporator coil in tip-top shape, you’ll enjoy efficient, reliable cooling for years to come.

Condenser Coil

As the name suggests, a condenser coil is a component that takes heat away from your air conditioner system. It is an important part of the process of conditioning your home, working hand-in-hand with evaporator coils to complete the cooling cycle.

As a heat-exchange mechanism, the refrigerant in the evaporator coil absorbs thermal energy from the air flowing through it and turns that heat into a gas. The refrigerant then travels through the insulated conduit to the outdoor air conditioner component, typically located right behind your home. There, the refrigerant will enter the compressor where it is compressed into a high-temperature vapor. Once it is, it will pass through the condenser coil to release that heat into the outdoor air.

In this phase of the cooling process, it is very important that your AC condenser coils stay clean. The heat-exchange mechanism can be impeded by a buildup of dust or debris, which creates an insulating barrier that reduces the coil’s ability to transfer and dissipate heat. In turn, this causes the air conditioner to work harder to cool your home, leading to higher operating costs.

Airborne dirt and dust can also cling to the coil’s thin metal fins, which can bend or get damaged over time. Bent fins restrict airflow, reducing the coil’s heat-exchange efficiency. Keeping your air conditioning system’s condenser coils free of debris and pests is crucial for optimal performance.

The condenser coil is usually made of copper or aluminum, and it can be either finned or smooth. Finned coils feature many thin sheets of metal, each spaced a few millimeters apart to allow air to flow through them. Smooth coils have a flat surface that is easier to maintain but doesn’t have as much heat-transferring capability.

The best way to keep your air conditioner’s condenser coil clean is to hire a professional to inspect and maintain it as a part of a regular maintenance service. In between regular service visits, you can take a few steps to help prevent coil issues. Keep the area around your unit clear: remove any plants or debris that may obstruct the coils, and change your air filter according to the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines.

Chimney Flue or Ventilation Stack

Chimney stacks, also known as flue gas stacks or chimneys, are tall structures that vent smoke and other gases from fireplaces, heating stoves, furnaces, cooking ranges, and other appliances into the atmosphere. Chimney stacks are used to prevent hazardous gases from building up within a structure, such as carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxides, and to protect the health and safety of occupants.

The stack extends vertically from the smoke chamber and is capped with a flat roof, often made of concrete or brick. The cap sheds water away from the chimney and the surrounding siding and masonry, preventing the accumulation of moisture that can lead to deterioration. Chimney stacks are also built with a protective lining, usually made of clay tile or metal, which prevents dangerous contaminants from leaching into the surrounding structure.

Vent stacks are also typically constructed with a pipe that connects the flue to the chimney. This pipe is insulated to keep hot exhaust gases from escaping into the home, and it may also feature a damper that can be opened or closed to regulate airflow through the chimney. In addition, most exhaust pipe systems are designed to extend above the roofline, promoting proper drafting and preventing backdrafts.

In addition to requiring an adequate distance between the furnace and flue, ventilation pipes must also be properly sized. When a flue is oversized for the appliance, it can cause a significant amount of draft loss, which can be unsafe and costly to fix. It is important to have a qualified professional inspect the ventilation system on a regular basis to check for any signs of problems.

Since chimneys and vents are exposed to outdoor elements, they can quickly deteriorate or become damaged. It is important to monitor their condition and to take immediate action when a problem is detected. For instance, if you notice rust or corrosion on or around a vent, it is essential to repair the damage as soon as possible in order to prevent a fire. Also, if you hear unusual noises or rattling coming from your vent, it is likely that the pipe has become loose and needs to be tightened.

Filter

The air-conditioning system, furnace or heat pump must have a filter or screen to prevent larger particles (up to 40 microns) from clogging sensitive machinery and blocking the flow of air. This can cause the system to suffer from a pressure drop, reduced air flow or a “blow-out” that results in no air infiltration at all. Regular replacement or cleaning of the HVAC filter will reduce the risk of damage and maintain good operation and optimum performance.

Air filters come in many different styles and sizes. They are typically rated by their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERV. MERV ratings are based on how well a filter catches contaminants and pollutants from the air that circulates through an HVAC system. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter.

Disposable filters typically have a low MERV rating and consist of flat fiberglass or polyester mesh encased in a cardboard frame. These are inexpensive and protect the HVAC equipment, but offer little in terms of air filtration. They should be replaced every 30 days or sooner during heavy use, high-allergen seasons or in homes with pets.

Pleated reusable filters are made of a woven polypropylene material and feature pleats that increase the surface area for greater airflow. They can also be combined with an electrostatic charge that improves their ability to trap particles. Their MERV rating is usually between 5 and 13.

HEPA filters have interlaced fibers that catch particles with a minimum of 95 percent efficiency, including pet dander, dust mite debris and viruses. These filters are more expensive than other types of filters but have a MERV rating of 17 to 20 and are able to be washed and reused.

It is important to properly install a filter, as the wrong size or type of filter can damage the equipment and lead to poor operation or even system failure. It is recommended that a qualified professional change the filter at least once a year and clean it thoroughly when needed. If your filter is damaged—whether it has bent fins, collapsed cells or holes—it should be replaced right away to avoid reducing the performance of your HVAC system.