Maintenance on an Air Conditioner Condenser

Coil Cleaning

• A peek inside the outdoor unit of your central air system will reveal the condenser coil. This coil is an important part of your air conditioner’s ability to cool, and it should be kept clean for proper functioning. If you can see that the coil is dusty or dirty, then you should take the time to clean it off. In a dusty environment this may be necessary more than once each year. Dust, as well as trimmings blown into the coil from a lawnmower or other material can keep the coil from doing its job. Simply turn the power switch to the system off and spray the coils clean with a garden hose.

Clearing Debris

• An air conditioner must be able to draw fresh air in to cool. The outdoor condenser unit is where this air comes from. The vents on the side of the unit suck in air with a fan. That air is then chilled and sent through the home via the ducts. If debris blocks the airflow into the vents then the system will not work correctly. Fallen leaves, garbage or other materials can get in front of the vents and cause problems. Make sure you move any objects, such as lawn furniture, away from the condenser before running your air conditioner.

Combing the Fins

• On the outside of the condenser coils there are protective fins that allow the air to blow through them. They are very easily bent and can sometimes be squashed inadvertently. If they are bent, they can severely restrict the airflow through the condenser. When they get bent there is a special tool available through HVAC suppliers called a fin comb. This device can be used to easily “comb” the fins back into their original position to allow proper flow of air through the system. An annual check of these fins should be adequate.

Winter Cover

• Unless you live in the tropics, you probably don’t require your air conditioner all year long. If your condenser unit is for air conditioning only and not for heat, then you’ll want to cover it during the winter to help make it last longer. The harsh winter weather can shorten its life span, and no one wants to replace these expensive appliances before they absolutely have to.