How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Air Conditioning Condenser

The Importance Of Proper Air Conditioning Maintenance

By James K. Kim

In today’s volatile economic climate, more and more homeowners are seeking ways to save money on their Westchester central heating and air conditioning systems any way they can.
One of the most critical yet expensive components of a central AC system is the outside condensing unit, also commonly known as the “condenser”.

The condenser contains several essential components of the refrigeration cycle for cooling a home, including delicate coil fins and the compressor.

Rather than ponying up their hard earned dollars for a complete replacement of their failed central AC system, many savvy cost-conscious homeowners are instead opting to maximize the functional lifespan of their condenser with regular maintenance visits and occasional essential repairs.

Keep reading to learn more, or call Cottam Heating & Air Conditioning today for more info!

How Important Is Air Conditioning Condenser Maintenance?

Air conditioning maintenance (that includes the condenser) by a professional HVAC service technician is critically important to ensure optimal system performance year after year.

Besides the top benefit of having a functional air conditioning system, there are other added benefits of air conditioning condenser maintenance which will extend the overall life of your system.

• A well-maintained air conditioning system will help you avoid higher utility bills from a system that must work twice as hard for half (or less) the output.
• Plus, AC maintenance will help avoid lifespan-shortening damage to the compressor and other important mechanical parts, such as fan motors, contactors, and filters.

Keeping these components in tip top shape will help contribute to maximizing the cooling system’s lifespan and the homeowner’s return on investment in a high quality central HVAC system.

How Often Do I Need Air Conditioning Maintenance?

For most average homes, twice-a-year maintenance is sufficient to ensure HVAC systems are operating safely and efficiently.

Ideally, maintenance appointments with service technicians should be scheduled once prior to heating season (before using your furnace or boiler for heating) and once prior to air conditioning season (before using your fan coil and outside condenser unit for cooling).

Some commercial heating systems may even require maintenance on a quarterly basis, depending on how often their commercial HVAC systems are used.

What Happens If I Don’t Maintain My HVAC System?

Neglecting regular seasonal maintenance on your central HVAC system will result in numerous costly repairs that could be avoided, as well as reduced system efficiency that racks up higher monthly utility bills. 

All this will ultimately cost you much more in the long run (plus cause major inconveniences and avoidable headaches) than having a regular maintenance plan. 

Without regular HVAC maintenance, systems will develop dirty components, such as heat exchangers or return air filters, that will force the unit to consume more power to maintain desired thermostat set point temperatures. 

This additional power need can add unnecessary strain to components such as the condenser’s compressor which will reduce its lifespan. 

How Is An Air Conditioning System’s Condenser Maintained?

HVAC service technicians will typically maintain an AC condenser by first visually inspecting its condition. 

This includes checking for rust, dirt, debris, and other obstructions both inside and outside of the condenser. 

It’s very common during this initial inspection to find leaves, branches, and other materials that have been sucked into the condenser’s coil and have become trapped between the coil guard casing and the coil itself. 

After all this visible debris is removed, many condensers might still be dirty and in need of further attention. 

The technician will then clean the coils both inside and outside with water and/or a proprietary cleaning solution specifically formulated for cleaning condensers to help remove dirt and debris from coil fins. 

Furthermore, a special fin coil comb can be used to help improve and repair fins that may have become bent or damaged.  

When this detailed cleaning is completed, technicians will be able to have a better look to inspect for damage such as pitting or burns, which can be harmful to the compressor. 

Also, electrical wires can be checked to ensure they are still connected tightly to avoid heat buildup that may damage the wiring setup. 

Oil stains around the condenser fan motor can indicate bearing leaks that may result in motor failure as well. Technicians can also observe how the fan blades spin, since irregularities may indicate motor wear. 

Other common hot spots for issues in condensers can be in the service valves, fittings, and gasket seals which may result in refrigerant gas leaks. 

An air conditioning system that is low in refrigerant gas will ultimately fail (most likely on the hottest day of the year when you need your AC system to work). 

All licensed HVAC service technicians are equipped with special gauges and amperage meters which they can use to further ensure condenser readings and pressures are at acceptable and efficient operating levels during seasonal maintenance visits. 

An experienced tech can also detect noises that can indicate issues, such as a faulty compressor or a wear-and-tear issue somewhere in the condenser’s mechanicals.

Conclusion

With so many important checks, inspections, and preventative measures that happen during a seasonal maintenance visit, it should be painfully obvious to homeowners how critically important it is to have your home’s central HVAC system maintained regularly by experienced and knowledgeable service providers who specialize in heating and air conditioning.

Most industry professionals agree that the average lifespan of an HVAC system that has been regularly maintained is typically between 10 to 15+ years depending on usage, your area’s climate, etc.

With the cost of equipment and materials on the rise, it makes perfect sense for homeowners to invest in maintaining their heating and air conditioning equipment for the long run and working with a reputable HVAC company with your best interests in mind.
Cottam Heating and Air Conditioning offers a Preferred Client Maintenance Plan to help home and business owners keep their HVAC equipment running safely and efficiently year after year.

Contact us today or give us a call!