A chief operating component of an AC unit is the compressor; it holds many parts, such as the valves and the motor. The compressor is also known as the heart of the unit, as its main purpose is to circulate the refrigerant through the air conditioner and allow the heat pump to work. Just as there are several styles of each component in HVAC, there are a variety of compressors to consider. The two compressors used most often in this line of work are reciprocal and scroll.
Reciprocal compressors, also known as piston compressors, circulate refrigerant gas with pistons. The three components of it are the piston, cylinder, and crankshaft. Reciprocal compressors move air into the cylinder on its intake stroke, having it pressed by the piston’s upstroke; the piston moves up and down to compress the refrigerant. This style of compressor is favored for its high-pressure capability. Not only are reciprocal compressors used within residential AC units, but they are also used in commercial systems and industrial environments. And they do not just create compressed air; they also have a lower initial upfront cost in comparison to other compressors.
On the other hand, scroll compressors, also known as spiral compressors, are known for their scroll-like shape. This kind of compressor uses two interlaced scrolls to compact refrigerant: one is fixed and the other orbits. Scroll compressors are favored because they operate without the use of oil, which leads to increased cleanliness and decreased contamination. Another favorite feature of this compressor is its space efficiency. In comparison to other compressors, a spiral compressor’s compact structure leaves much room for the other components of a unit.
Overall, both scroll and reciprocal compressors use positive displacement, but they also have their key differences. The major difference we can identify is their operation of compressing refrigerant. Reciprocal compressors incorporate pistons, and scroll compressors use spiral cords. Another contrast would be cost; reciprocal compressors traditionally have lower costs, and spiral compressors are traditionally more expensive. Adding to that, spiral compressors are not ideal for high-capacity applications like reciprocal ones. However, depending on the specific needs of a company or home – like durability, cost, space, and other contributors- either compressor could be a good fit for you!
~Nevaonna Alfred