Symptoms of a Faulty Air Conditioning Condenser

Faulty Air Conditioning Condenser in Boulder, CO

Warm summer days in Boulder, CO, and the surrounding areas make you turn to your home’s central air conditioning system for relief. The outdoor unit of your cooling system includes a condenser, which is responsible for exchanging the heat from your home with the outdoors and condensing the refrigerant vapor into a liquid. Read on to learn about the symptoms of a faulty air conditioning condenser and when to arrange expert HVAC repairs.

Loud or Unusual Sounds

Loud or unusual sounds coming from the AC’s outdoor unit suggest a possible problem with the condenser’s motor or fan. Debris could be stuck between the fan blades, or a bearing may have come loose. As the motor begins to fail, it may make loud grinding sounds. These issues could cause worse damage if you continue using the air conditioner, so it’s best to schedule AC service.

Insufficient Cool Air

If the air coming from your home’s vents during a cooling cycle doesn’t feel cold, a faulty air conditioning condenser could be the reason. Diminished cooling capacity could result from a dirty coil, explains the Department of Energy. This is a simple fix and just requires turning the AC off and washing the outdoor unit with your garden hose. While the AC is off, check and replace the filter. If there’s still insufficient cool air, there could be a refrigerant leak.

Short Cycling

Your air conditioner should run for a minute or two, then turn off for several minutes between cooling cycles. If the unit turns off only to turn on again a few seconds later, this is short cycling. A faulty air conditioning condenser is usually the cause. The condenser could have a malfunctioning switch or capacitor. Short cycling causes excess wear and tear and shortens the AC lifespan.

To learn more about the symptoms of a faulty air conditioning condenser, take a look at Vectra Mechanical HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing’s expert HVAC repairs, or contact us today for additional information.

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