You’re hot. Your home is sweltering. You keep turning the thermostat lower so the central air conditioning will turn on, but nothing is happening. Or your air conditioning unit simply won’t start. Could it be the air conditioner condenser? What is an air conditioner condenser anyway? And can it be repaired? The experts at Ambient Edge have some answers and share their knowledge to help you make decisions based on what is right for your home and your budget.
The Central Air Conditioner Condenser
The air conditioner condenser is a coil, typically made from copper and located outdoors, that releases collected indoor heat. It works in partnership with the evaporator, a coil located indoors that cools your home.
A compressor pump moves refrigerant fluid between these two coils to pull hot air out of your home and circulate cool air inside of your home.
In other words, without a working condenser, your central air conditioner won’t do its job and cool your home.
If this sounds like it might be your issue, or you’re not sure what the problem is and you just need your air conditioning unit to cool properly again, call or send us a message now to schedule service.
Call (702) 944-8838 Today or Book Online for Heating and Cooling Service!
Frequent Air Conditioner Condenser Problems
Air conditioner condensers consist of many different parts. Sometimes one or more parts fail and can be repaired. Other times, the condenser has reached the end of its life and you may need to replace the entire unit.
Your air conditioner could be experiencing any of the following:
- Air blockage caused by dirt or yard debris – if your central air conditioning unit is dirty, covered in dust or leaves, or is surrounded or blocked by vegetation, clear it out and brush it off. You may find your air conditioning performs more efficiently.
- Condenser tubes or seals can crack or break, causing a leak.
- If you notice an issue with the air conditioner motor, there may be a problem with the run capacitor (sounds like the motor is starting, but it doesn’t) or the motor itself may be burned out.
- If there is an issue with your air conditioning fan, the relay switch (the switch that turns on the cooling unit) may be responsible. Loose, bent, or broken air conditioning fan blades may also be causing a problem.
- Breakage, damage, rust, decomposition, and more can damage the air conditioner condenser coil. Issues with the coil can range from an easy fix (cleaning the unit or trimming too-close branches and plants) to a more serious repair of a coolant leak.
Find out what else could go wrong if you are not servicing your air conditioner.
How to Know if You Have an Air Conditioner Condenser Problem
Most homeowners just know their air conditioning unit is not working. It’s often difficult to diagnose the actual issue yourself. The experts at Ambient Edge will guide you through your call or initial appointment by asking a few crucial questions:
- Does your air conditioning unit keep blowing a fuse or causing your power to go out?
- Are there strange noises, like a loud banging, coming from your air conditioning condenser?
- Is there fluid leaking from your air conditioning unit?
- Do you notice your air conditioning unit fighting to keep your home cool?
- Does your air conditioner refuse to start?
Contact Us for HVAC Service in Las Vegas, NV
Contact Us
Repairing the Air Conditioner Condenser vs. Replacing It
Outside of changing your HVAC air filter (or ensuring your current filter is clean), clearing any brush off the air conditioning unit, and keeping the area around the unit clean, fixing your air conditioner condenser is not a do-it-yourself job. The condenser is sealed and you may be unable to simply pop it open to fix it, then close it again. Several parts of your air conditioning unit also tend to look similar. So you may mistakenly attempt to work on one part, thinking it’s a different part, and cause more problems than you had in the first place.
While repairs can often cost less than a full-on replacement of a central air conditioning unit, an Ambient Edge expert will help you determine which option makes the most sense for your situation, your budget, and your unit.
If your air conditioner condenser or even the entire unit is more than 10 to 15 years old, we typically recommend replacing the entire unit versus repairing it. Older parts are often more difficult to locate, and homeowners often end up saving money in the long run replacing an older, inefficient model with a newer, more energy-efficient central air conditioning unit.
AC Not Working?
(702) 944-8838
Schedule a Consultation and Learn if Your Air Conditioner Condenser Can Be Repaired
Is your air conditioning not working as well as it should, or at all? Call or send us a message on our website. Our experts will ask you some critical questions and schedule an appointment to take a look at your air conditioning unit.
