Your HVAC unit is the only appliance in the house you can rely on to keep you comfortable and cozy when the sun is in full swing outside. Not only that, when it is freezing outside, the HVAC is the only option you turn to, to keep you warm. But, HVAC units can experience problems and need immediate troubleshooting. You can try to do it yourself or hire air conditioner repair services.

One of the most common problems is related to the condenser coil located in the outdoor unit. While there are many signs that indicate the coil has or is about to malfunction, it is about what to do in these situations that makes all the difference. So, let’s take a look at how you can manage these situations without panicking.

Problems Caused By Faulty Condenser Coil

High Energy Bills

Amongst the most telltale signs that your HVAC condenser coil has malfunctioned or is about to, is if you observe high energy bills. The condenser coils are designed to be energy efficient but if the coil happens to be dirty, cracked, or damaged, it will consume more electricity than usual to compensate for the loss of cool air.

Both evaporator and condenser coils tend to generate some heat as a byproduct of the cooling process. The coils dissipate heat to prevent overheating but not if they are covered with layers of dirt and dust. That said, if you observe that the energy bills have suddenly increased, you should check the coils for cleaning or damage.

Cleaning the coils is easy as all you need to do is invest in some cleaning agents and tools. Do not use harsh cleaning techniques as it could damage the coils. Simply let the chemical agent sit on the coils for a while to break down the accumulation. Then, simply use a damp cloth to wipe away all the layers.

But, if the coil tends to be damaged due to some reason, you will need to opt for a replacement. Unfortunately, coils do not work well and are not covered by a guarantee after being repaired. Plus, the repair is itself quite expensive, which leaves you with the option of finding an exact replacement.

Poor Cooling

Another obvious sign that your condenser coil is not working properly is if you observe poor cooling of the HVAC unit. Although, there could be several other reasons such as a weak compressor the condenser coil should be checked before moving on to performing intricate inspections.

Then again, you will need to perform an inspection of the coil to ensure there are no damages or leaks. If the coil tends to be damaged, you will need to get it either fixed or replaced. The coil may or may not be worthy of repair if the damage is extreme.

This is usually the case when extreme weather conditions cause dead shrubs, branches, and other foreign objects to come in contact with the coils. So, a proper inspection of the coil will give you a clear idea of whether the component itself is the problem or something else.

Inconsistent Temperature

An inconsistent temperature means the coil is struggling to perform the way it normally does. You should know that an HVAC system contains a group of components that work together to produce cool and warm air. If any of these components tend to malfunction, the unit will find it hard to maintain the temperature.

In such cases, the coil is usually dirty and needs proper cleaning. But, if the unit is old, it might be that the coil needs replacement. But, at this point, the cost of replacement will be relatively higher as the replacement coil might not be available due to the manufacturer having discontinued the model. So, install a new HVAC unit instead of spending on too frequent repairs.

Refrigerant Leaks

Freon leakage is common in older units. With time, the components turn weaker, and external factors such as dirt, dust, grime, humidity, moisture, etc. tend to take a toll on the components. If the condenser coil happens to leak for some reason, the unit will be void of refrigerant, resulting in the other components such as the compressor working harder than usual.

This will not only utilize more electricity but also put the compressor at risk of malfunctioning. The reason is that the compressor will try to make up for the loss that overheats it, eventually leading to malfunction.

This is why it is important to check the refrigerant level if the condenser coil is leaking. If the level is low, it means something is leaking but if it isn’t, it means there could be something else preventing the coils from functioning properly.

Unusual Signs

If you access your condenser coil and find frost or other unusual signs and symptoms, it means something is leaking. Sometimes, the leakage in the coil is so small that it goes unnoticed. While small damages do not affect the coil much, rust and other issues speed up the degradation process.

You might think that frost anywhere inside the outdoor unit is normal but isn’t. If you are not able to track down the problem, you will need to consult AC repair services Huntington. Such problems can turn into bigger ones if ignored. It is better to contact an expert and have them look after the issue.

Lack Of Maintenance

You might think that your HVAC unit or the condenser coil might have given up due to some odd reasons. However, it might be as simple as lack of maintenance. For some reason, homeowners believe that HVAC units do not need maintenance if they are working fine.

But, the fact of the matter is that HVAC units will develop problems when you least expect them to in such cases. The last thing you would want is for the HVAC unit to lose its cooling capability just because you failed to keep up with basic maintenance.

And, now you are stuck waiting for an expert to show up to your house and make the necessary repairs or replacements. That said, you can avoid these problems if you are vigilant with maintenance. Always choose a state-approved expert to perform maintenance on the HVAC unit.

You might be tempted to opt for someone cheaper but you are simply calling for trouble. HVAC units can last a decade if maintained properly. Therefore, you need to make the most of your investment and invest via professional maintenance to keep it running like new for as long as possible.

Conclusion

Use the above-mentioned signs to find out condenser coil problems. As a general rule of thumb, you should perform regular inspections and maintenance to keep problems at bay. But, if you were to come across issues similar to the ones mentioned above, you should know where to look instead of panicking around. However, it’s always better to hire HVAC repair services Stony Brook for proper repairs and replacements.