Stay Cool This Summer - Check Your AC Condenser
28th Jun 2019
Avoid The Swelter With AC Unit Maintenance & Care
When the year’s first 90-degree temperatures arrived this week were you relaxing in your comfortably cool home or kicking yourself because you neglected your air conditioner’s annual routine maintenance check this spring?
If you’ve cranked up the AC and you’re still dripping in sweat, the problem could be in your condenser – the outdoor component of your home’s air conditioning system.
Despite what some people might think, air conditioners are not about making cool air, but rather transferring the unwanted heat inside your home to the outside. Here’s how they work:
An evaporator inside your home contains refrigerant, or cooling fluid, which turns to vapor as it absorbs heat. The refrigerant is then transferred to an outdoor unit containing a compressor, a condenser coil and a fan. As the refrigerant is compressed and moved through the condenser, the fan creates ambient air over the condenser coil, causing it to cool and returning the refrigerant to liquid form. The heat from inside the home is dispersed outside, and the refrigerant is pumped back indoors so the process can begin again.
Since your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser is exposed to the elements year-round, it is vulnerable to a variety of issues. Overgrown shrubs can restrict air flow, and leaves and debris can collect inside the condenser affecting its performance. That’s why regular maintenance is so important.
If your AC isn’t working properly, check for simple fixes first:
- Is your thermostat working?
Make sure it is turned on and set to “cool,” and replace old batteries if necessary. - Did you trip a breaker?
If the breaker to your HVAC unit tripped, reset it. Perhaps you were running too many other appliances. If it trips repeatedly, it may be time to call an electrician. - Is your air filter clogged?
A clogged air filter can restrict air flow, causing inadequate cooling. Over time, it can make your system work harder, causing the blower motor to overheat and the evaporator coils to freeze.
If the obvious culprits check out, it’s time to look into more serious problems:
- Is the fan in your condenser unit spinning?
If you’ve double-checked your power source and the cooling settings on your thermostat and your fan still isn’t working, it could mean you have a damaged or burned out motor. Turn the air conditioner off and insert a screwdriver or similar tool into the opening on top of the unit and try to move the fan blades. If they won’t move, there may be a branch or other obstruction blocking it. If the blades move freely, turn the unit back on and try inserting your tool again to kick start the blades manually. If they start spinning, the problem might not be the motor itself but the capacitor, which helps the fan motor run. - Is the unit making humming or buzzing sounds?
You might be tempted to ignore these strange sounds, but they could be a sign of a serious problem with the motor or its bearings. Humming or buzzing typically means the unit is getting power but the blades are not working. - The top of the unit is excessively hot to the touch
This could be a sign that the condenser fan motor is overheated. Overheating can occur if the motor hasn’t been lubricated or properly maintained, if it’s the wrong size motor for the unit or if air flow has been restricted.
A properly working AC condenser fan motor can prolong the life of your HVAC system. For best results, perform preventive maintenance every season and replace the motor if necessary.
To help you beat this summer heat as soon as possible, McCombs Supply Co. carries a variety of Fasco fractional horsepower air conditioner condenser fan motors:
The Totally Enclosed (TENV) ½ HP 230 Volts 1075 RPM Ball Bearing Single Speed D7907
The Totally Enclosed (TENV) ¼ HP 230 Volts 1075 RPM Ball Bearing Single Speed D7909