Problems With Your AC’s Condenser — Do You Repair Or Replace?

If you live in a place like Tampa, Spring Hill, or Clearwater where the temperature often hits the 90-degree mark (Source: www.usclimatedata.com), you simply cannot do without installing an air-conditioning (AC) system in your home. Irrespective of the type of AC you use to stay cool, there are a few components common to all the models, including the compressor, fan, evaporator coil, condenser coil, and chemical refrigerant. All these parts need to work harmoniously to lower the temperature in your room. Even if a single component is damaged or stops working, it greatly affects the performance of your AC.

Take the condenser for example. This is the exterior component of the overall cooling system that plays a vital role in the heat transfer and cooling processes. So, if anything were to happen to them, you would become sweaty and uncomfortable. This is why you should call for professional help as soon as you detect problems of any kind with this part. But the question is, do you replace your condenser or do you contact a nearby AC repair service in Tampa? Find out below.

When You Should Consider Repairs

Dirty Condenser

Cleaning your AC condenser is a quick and simple task. All you need to do is trim the grass if the area around this part has become overgrown. In case the condenser is covered in leaves or dirt, brush around the unit. Make sure no debris is present in the vicinity; otherwise, it could interfere or block the condenser’s moving parts.

Damaged Coil

Sometimes, a bit of basic maintenance like cleaning the condenser coil fixes the problem. If any issues persist, extensive repairs are a must. However, not only is the process time-consuming and labor-intensive, it is expensive as well. Repairs are normally covered by warranty, but if yours has lapsed, it’s a good idea to replace the whole unit instead.

Problems with the Run Capacitor

Repairing this component is easy. As soon as you confirm that a bad run capacitor is responsible for the poor performance of your machine, swap in a new part.

Burnt Motor

If the condenser motor is damaged, you need an immediate replacement. Always swap the damaged part for an identical one; otherwise, a motor with different specifications in your AC can damage the whole unit.

When Replacement is the Best Option

Control Board Errors

Any malfunction in your AC condenser’s control board warrants a replacement of the component. However, you need to make sure that the new circuit board is compatible with the other parts of the condenser.

Blockage

A blockage can indicate more pressing problems with your machine. If you encounter a blockage within the system, you have no choice but to replace the condenser. However, if the damage is too severe, you might have to replace other expensive parts like the compressor. Rather than spend all that money on a single component, you can use this opportunity to get a newer, more efficient AC model for your home.

Condenser Leaks

A leak in your condenser might seem like a small problem, but it’s a huge one because there is no way to replace condenser seals or tubes. So, once your condenser starts leaking, it is time to replace the whole component.

An AC unit, like all electronic devices, experiences problems at some point. However, these ‘problems’ need quick resolutions especially if you have to survive something as terrible as a Florida summer. But before you start contemplating whether to replace your condenser or contact an AC repair service in Tampa, know that technological advances roll out every couple of years for the AC industry. So, even if you repair your unit’s problem, installing a newer, more efficient model can help you save money in the long run.