Air conditioners have two units that work together as a team to provide the cooling power your home requires: the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. In your home, you’re more likely to notice what’s going on with the air conditioner. And you’re less likely to allow the indoor unit to get covered with mess such as lawn clippings! The outdoor unit might be a little neglected in comparison.
We’d like to remedy that neglect today. We’re going to focus entirely on the outdoor unit for a moment. What’s so important about the AC outdoor unit? What should you be doing to keep it in good condition? We’ve got all the info you need.
The Critical Functions of the AC Outdoor Unit
While there are more details to everything your outdoor unit is doing, there are two main jobs that it’s responsible for. To keep the air conditioner in good shape overall, try to help the outdoor unit have an easier time performing these two functions. The first is compressing the refrigerant so it flows through the coils, and the second is dispersing the heat that is absorbed from inside your home.
The refrigerant-compressing job is performed by, you guessed it, the compressor. It needs to avoid overworking and have time off to recuperate from its challenging work. The heat is dispersed through the coils as the heated refrigerant flows out of the house to cool down. The coils need a great deal of air circulation to get that job done.
Keep the Outdoor Unit Clean
Anything that interferes with airflow around those coils will prevent the heat from dissipating properly. And if the heat doesn’t dissipate well enough, the refrigerant will flow back into the house while it’s still too warm. It won’t be able to absorb enough heat, so the compressor will have to keep running and running, trying to cool your home. Therefore, airflow is the critical element.
If plants grow close to your outdoor unit, keep them trimmed so they don’t crowd it. Rake away anything that gets piled up, such as autumn leaves, clipped grass, or other plant matter or debris. You should also take a gentle hose to the coils from time to time to wash away any dust or dirt. If it’s left on there, it will act like a layer of insulation, keeping the heat from your home inside the refrigerant.
Prioritize Maintenance
Annual AC maintenance involves cleaning all parts of the system and lubricating the fans, so airflow will be maximized. It also decreases wear and tear, allowing the system to run less of the time while getting the same work done. This lowers your electric bill and takes some of the pressure off the compressor. And your maintenance technician will also catch any tiny concerns so they won’t turn into big problems.
Get Repairs Promptly
Even with diligent attention to annual maintenance, repairs will likely be needed once in a while. If a problem comes up and doesn’t get fixed, this will force the system to work harder and run more of the time. Up go your electric bills! Down goes the condition of your compressor! Don’t let this happen. If you notice weird noises or smells, poor AC performance, or any other concerns, get prompt AC repair in Orlando, FL.
Contact Gary Munson Heating & Air Conditioning for HVAC repair in Orlando, FL. You’ll be more comfortable with the best!