![\"AC-Unit-Outside-Summer\"](\"https:\/\/www.robbinsheating.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Outside-Unit-300x200.jpg\")
A piece of machinery that\u2019s covered with a layer of grime and dirt won\u2019t run as well as when it\u2019s clean. That\u2019s just a basic fact. When it comes to your air conditioning system, a layer of dirt and grime almost anywhere on it is bad news. For example, dust along the indoor evaporator coils can quickly cause the AC to lose energy efficiency and ice to develop along the coils.<\/p>\n
But you may not have considered dirt and debris on or around the outdoor cabinet (the condenser) as a problem. The condenser is located in a place on your property where it doesn\u2019t attract much attention, since it\u2019s not the most attractive piece of machinery. Many condensers are placed behind fences or barriers for this reason. And because the condenser is outdoors, it\u2019s easy to think that it\u2019s impervious to elements, and if it gets dirty or leaves or branches grow close to it, it\u2019s not that big a deal.<\/p>\n
But a dirty or obstructed condenser cabinet is<\/em> a problem. If you\u2019ve noticed trouble with your AC at this late part of the season and don\u2019t know why, check the condenser. If it\u2019s covered in dirt or obstructed in some way, this may be why you\u2019re having AC issues.<\/p>\n A quick reminder about what the condenser does: it houses the compressor as well as the condenser coil and blower fan. The fan draws air from outside the compressor through grills and passes it over the refrigerant coils. The hot refrigerant gas condenses and loses its heat to the air, and the blower fan exhausts this air through the top of the unit. This is how the AC releases heat from the house and cools down the refrigerant before sending it indoors. If the condenser cannot effectively release heat, the refrigerant won\u2019t cool down enough and the air conditioner\u2019s performance will suffer. The AC will run longer and longer to reach the temperature goals, and the system may eventually overheat and shut down.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not difficult to keep the condenser in good shape. If it\u2019s dirty, take a standard garden hose and wash it down. Don\u2019t use a high-pressure nozzle to blast water into the grills, since you don\u2019t want to harm the coils. If you have trees and bushes growing nearby, see that they are trimmed back so the condenser has a full foot empty on each side. Remove debris like branches and leaves from the cabinet as well, and move pebbles and other small objects from the area around the cabinet; you don\u2019t want any of them to be accidentally drawn into the grills.<\/p>\n Cleaning and inspecting the condenser is part of our regular Colorado Springs HVAC<\/a> maintenance services. Remember to call us in spring for an AC maintenance appointment that will ensure all parts are working before the next summer heatwave arrives.<\/p>\nThe Condenser Cabinet Needs to Be Able to Draw in and Exhaust Air<\/h2>\n