The AC condenser coil in your central air conditioner is a vital partner in the cooling process. If the condenser receives proper maintenance and other components that interact with it are operating up to standards, the result is optimum cooling performance as well as energy efficiency that meets specifications. Problems in the AC condenser, conversely, can impair system cooling and result in higher operating costs.
Cooling Cycle 101
An air conditioner doesn’t make coolness, per se. Instead, it moves indoor heat outdoors. Cool comfort is simply what’s left behind after the heat’s been removed. In a typical AC, two coils form a system that circulates a continuous flow of refrigerant between the indoor AC unit and the outdoor unit. Here’s how the cooling cycle happens:
- The indoor air handler comprises the evaporator coil that circulates refrigerant which extracts heat from air inside the house.
- Heat absorbed by the refrigerant flows to the large AC unit located outside the house that incorporates the compressor and the condenser coil.
- After the hot refrigerant is compressed, it flows into the condenser coil where heat extracted inside the house is rapidly dispersed into outdoor air.
- Refrigerant flow circles back to the indoor evaporator coil to absorb more heat.
What Can Go Wrong?
Problems relating to poor cooling results, high monthly costs, and component damage can potentially originate with the AC condenser coil. These issues include:
- Dirty condenser coil. Accumulation of dust, leaves, and other debris on coil surfaces reduces coil efficiency to dissipate heat.
- Refrigerant leaks. Tiny leaks in the condenser coil may reduce the refrigerant charge below specifications. This degrades cooling performance and may subject components such as the compressor to damaging wear.
- Condenser fan issues. The fan that blows air through the condenser coil may fail due to wear and tear affecting the electric motor.
- Because the condenser coil circulates refrigerant, federal regulations require that most issues affecting the condenser should be diagnosed and repaired by certified HVAC technicians only.
For more information about the vital role of the AC condenser coil — and professional service if problems occur — contact the cooling experts at Ace Hardware Home Services.
