AC Woefully Inefficient: Troubleshoot Your Condenser Coils

Posted on: 22 June 2015

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Your AC unit is composed of two sets of coils. The evaporator coils are located on the inside of your house and are thus protected from the elements. As a fan pushes warm air from your home over the coils, the refrigerant inside evaporates and absorbs heat from the air. A compressor then pumps the super-heated, vaporized refrigerant to the condenser coils, which are exposed to the elements. Here, a second fan pushes relatively cool outside air over the coils to cool down the refrigerant. If you have a problem with these coils, the efficiency of your whole system can be compromised. Luckily, there is much you can do on your own to maintain and optimize the function of your coils. 

Clean Your Coils

Dust, windblown garbage, and yard debris can all plaster your coils. If the accumulation of grime gets too thick, it can reduce or even block the flow of air through your coils. Without airflow, your coils will not be able to properly cool the refrigerant inside. As you clean your coils, you need to retain ever present the idea that the thin metal fins that make up your coils are highly susceptible to damage. Follow these steps to clean your coils and protect your coils: 

1. Spray your coils with a commercial coil cleaner and wait at least five minutes to give the solvents in the cleaner time to break up the grime on your coils. 

2. Scrub the coils with a stiff-bristle brush. You may need to remove the outer grill that protects your coils to do this. 

3. Use a plastic fin comb to clean out any grime or insects stuck deep inside the coils and to straighten the fins. 

4. You may also want to rinse the coils with a gentle stream of water from your hose. 

Cut Back Plants

The key to properly functioning AC coils is air flow. If you have grass, shrubs, flowers, or weeds that grow closer than two feet from your coils, they can block airflow. Cut plants back. You may want to uproot any plants growing too close to the coils and lay down weed mat and mulch to prevent future encroachments. 

Increase Shade

The metal fins your coils are made from can absorb heat from the sun, and the hotter your coils get, the harder your fan has to work to cool them down. Suffice it to say that hot coils can decrease your system's efficiency. Plant a tree to shade your coils. A large tree should cool the air around your coils through the process of evapotranspiration. Your coils should, thus, have plenty of cool air to push over your coils which will further boost your system efficiency. 

Most homeowners do not do much with their AC system besides adjust the thermostat and change the filter when necessary. If you take it upon yourself to clean your coils, keep plant growth back from your coils, and increase the shade around your coils, you will receive extra savings on your cooling bills for your extra work. 

To learn more about air conditioner repairs, visit a website like http://www.nowha.com/