Importance of a Functioning AC Condenser Coil

Living in Florida means you experience long, hot, humid months. This environment makes your air conditioner an essential appliance in your Broward County, FL, home. 

While there are multiple parts to your AC unit, the evaporator and AC condenser coil are vital to keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. When these components work together, they provide your home with cool air to keep you comfortable on the warmest days.

The Basics of Air Conditioners 

A popular belief about air conditioners is that they generate cold air. In truth, they work by removing hot air from inside the home. 

Air conditioning systems have two units — one indoor and one outdoor. The indoor unit has an air handler, air filters, evaporator coil, blower fan, and expansion valve. Outside, you’ll find the compressor, AC condenser coil, and a fan. 

With a regular AC tune-up, these parts will always work together to provide your home with a comfortable temperature. But those aren’t the only important parts. 

Refrigerant 

Refrigerant is a chemical that exists in a liquid or gaseous state. Its primary purpose is to absorb heat from your home, but it works in tandem with the evaporator coil, AC condenser, and compressor. 

They continuously move the refrigerant from outside to inside in a loop to transfer heat and cool your home. If there is a refrigerant leak, the process will be disrupted, and your unit will require repair.  

Air conditioners do not consume refrigerant like a car that uses gasoline. Therefore, the same refrigerant is used throughout the lifespan of your system unless there is a leak. One way to tell there is a leak is if your coils are frozen.  

The Compressor 

The compressor pulls the refrigerant out of the house in a low-pressure gaseous state. Compression increases the temperature of the refrigerant, creating a hot, high-pressure gas. Next, the refrigerant flows into the AC condenser coil. 

This condensation is a crucial part of the process. If the compressor doesn’t change the pressure of the refrigerant, it won’t remove the hot air from indoors.

The compressor needs to be well maintained for all of this to work efficiently. Scheduling an AC tune-up will keep the parts of your air conditioner in tip-top shape so that you can enjoy a consistent and comfortable temperature in your home.   

The Evaporator Coil

While the compressor is responsible for pressurizing the refrigerant, the evaporator coil helps it turn from a liquid state into a gas through evaporation. The evaporator coil also helps dehumidify the room by removing moisture from the incoming air. 

This process is why running an air conditioner will help lower the humidity level in your Broward County, FL, home.

The evaporator coil is exposed to a lot of moisture. Unfortunately, this can lead to corrosion which can prevent it from working at its best. If you suspect your evaporator coil may be rusted, contact a professional to repair it before it stops working. 

Evaporator coils also need to be kept clean. If they’re not, you may experience the following problems with your air conditioner:

• Insufficient heat absorption and cooling ability
• Increased energy use
• Increased pressures and temperatures
• Frost and ice buildup

Even the thinnest layer of dirt on the evaporator coil can affect how it works. The dust insulates the coil, keeping the heat and air away from the cooling coils, meaning it cannot absorb as much heat as a clean coil. Your air conditioner will no longer be able to provide your ideal indoor temperature without using a considerable amount of energy.   

Routine maintenance can help keep your evaporator coil free of dirt and dust, allowing it to properly cool the refrigerant as it passes through. 

AC Condenser Coil 

The AC condenser coil is part of the outdoor unit. Its main job is to distribute heat from the refrigerant. Much like the evaporator coil, the AC condenser uses a heat diffusing material and has fins to disperse heat efficiently.  

Fans move cold air over the coils after the hot refrigerant moves away from the compressor and into the AC condenser. This cold air causes the refrigerant to lose any of the heat it absorbed from inside your home. Then, the hot air is transferred outside of the AC condenser unit. 

After the refrigerant no longer carries heat, it returns to a liquid state. It is recirculated to the inside unit, passing through an expansion valve. This valve allows the pressurized refrigerant to change from a liquid back into a gas. It will return to the evaporator coil and repeat the cooling process.     

What Happens If the AC Condenser Fails? 

If the AC condenser unit begins to fail, it will prevent your air conditioner from adequately cooling down your Broward County home. It could even lead to your air conditioner completely breaking down. If this issue is not addressed in a timely manner, the condenser can become damaged beyond repair and require replacement. 

Signs of a Failing AC Condenser Coil 

If your AC condenser is failing, it cannot cool the refrigerant and delays the entire process. Keep your eyes open for the following signs that your AC condenser is in trouble: 

• Reduced cooling 
• Refrigerant leaks 
• Strange noises 
• Electrical problems 

Normal wear and tear can lead to one or more of these problems. However, irregular maintenance is a significant contributor. Prevent your AC condenser from having problems by scheduling a routine AC tune-up. Otherwise, you may need to call for a replacement when your AC condenser coil acts up.  

What Happens If Your AC Condenser Coils Get Dirty? 

If your condenser coil isn’t properly maintained, it can collect dirt and debris. When this happens, it is more difficult for your air conditioner to move through the refrigerant cooling process. 

This difficulty makes your air conditioner work harder to keep your home cool and requires more energy. As a result, you’ll notice higher energy bills and an uncomfortable house. 

What’s the worst-case scenario for a dirty condenser coil? Your AC could have a total system breakdown. This is extremely likely during periods of high heat and humidity, which is every day throughout the summer in Florida! 

Keeping your condenser coil clean will help keep your AC from working too hard and prevent unexpected breakdowns. 

How to Clean Dirty AC Condenser Coils

Ultimately, the best way to get your condenser coils clean is to call a professional to deep clean your HVAC system. This is done during a routine maintenance appointment or AC tune-up. 

Once you’re on the books, a service technician will arrive at your home to clean and inspect your HVAC system during your scheduled time. They will also clean the evaporator and hard-to-reach condenser coils.  

While heavy-duty cleaning is best left to professionals, there are a few steps you can take to protect the components of your AC system. 

Start by keeping a clean air filter in your HVAC system. Most experts recommend changing it monthly. Second, clean the area around your outdoor unit. Ensure that there are no blades of grass, sticks, or leaves stuck to the unit.  

Do You Need an AC Tune-Up? 

Now that you know the parts of your air conditioner and the importance of keeping them clean, do you need to find a reliable HVAC company to work with? Look no further than Abraham AC, your local AC expert in Broward County, FL. We’re ready to help keep your unit in the best condition possible. 

If you have questions, we’re happy to help. One of our customer service representatives is ready to provide you with answers! Call Abraham AC today to schedule your routine maintenance and deep cleaning appointment.