What is a Compressor in an HVAC system?
The compressor is the heart of an air conditioning or heat pump system. It is part of the outdoor unit that pumps refrigerant.
The compressor maintains adequate pressure to cause refrigerant to flow in sufficient quantities in order to meet the cooling requirements of the system and your home.
The compressor also helps keep the refrigerant vaporized, so it can be absorbed by the evaporator coil.
It is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a fluid, typically air or gas, by squeezing it between two metal plates. The compressor is used in many applications, including air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating systems. In an HVAC system, the compressor is responsible for moving refrigerant from the indoor coil to the outdoor coil. The refrigerant then flows through the condenser coil and dissipates heat into the surrounding atmosphere.
Compressors come in various forms. The most common type is the reciprocating compressor, which uses a piston to compress the fluid. Other types include the rotary compressor and scroll compressor.
Reciprocating compressor:
Also known as a piston compressor, a reciprocating compressor uses a piston to compress the fluid. The piston is moved up and down in a cylinder by a crankshaft to deliver gases at high pressure.
Rotary compressor:
A rotary compressor uses a rotating impeller to compress the fluid. As the impeller rotates, it forces the fluid through a series of ports and into chambers where it is compressed. This type of compressor is typically used in large industrial applications.
Scroll compressor:
A scroll compressor uses two spiral-shaped plates to compress the fluid. As one plate moves toward the other, it traps the fluid between them and compresses it. This type of compressor is often used in small home
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