While your air conditioner is something you use on a pretty regular basis—for the majority of the year given the climate we live in—it is still not something you likely think about a whole lot, unless something goes wrong with it. A very important component of your entire AC system is the outside unit—called the condenser unit.

While the inside portion of your AC system absorbs heat from your home’s air, the condenser unit is tasked with releasing that heat to the air outside. So without a functional condenser, the warm air from your home would have nowhere to go. When something goes wrong with this component, you must reach out to us for San Antonio, TX air conditioning repair services right away to avoid further damage and potentially a full system replacement.

The Role Your Condenser Plays

After refrigerant (the fluid that transfers heat from one space to another) leaves your air conditioner’s compressor—which adds pressure to the refrigerant it receives from inside your home to increase its temperature—it flows through your condenser coils.

As this process occurs, a fan blows air over the condenser coils to cool them off and release the heat to the air outside, allowing cool air to return to your living space. So if your condenser develops problems, it can severely damage or even stop your AC system’s ability to cool down your home.

What Can Go Wrong?

There are a few different possible causes of condenser problems, some more severe than others.

Outdoor Debris: Since your condenser is located outdoors, it can very well accumulate damage from debris—lawn clippings, stones, gravel, sticks, and leaves. You must ensure the area around your condenser unit is kept as clear as possible so there’s a less likely chance this will occur. Any object that enters the condenser cabinet can create damage to the motors, fan blades, or fan belt, which can impair your condenser’s functionality.

Refrigerant Leak: As mentioned above, the refrigerant is the fluid that transfers heat from one area to another. It travels through lines that connect the condenser and the indoor evaporator. Many homeowners think it’s natural for refrigerant to dissipate over time, but the fact of the matter is that if you are losing refrigerant, it’s due to a leak in the system. This will typically cause a drop in cooling power and can be very damaging to the condenser.

Electric Failure: The motors inside the condenser, which operates the fan and the compressor, are powered by electricity. Therefore, if an electrical relay or capacitor malfunctions, it can impact the condenser’s operation, or completely stop it from working altogether. You could also have frayed or damaged wiring that impacts this component. If your compressor fails to turn on, then the most likely source is an electrical problem. This type of issue should be addressed immediately, for your safety.

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