How Can Regular AC Maintenance Prevents Costly Compressor Failures

The Ultimate Guide to AC Maintenance: From Clogged Drains to Frozen Coils

In days past, air conditioning was considered a luxury, only available to the well-to-do. Today, central air conditioner systems are essential building systems for every home, apartment, business, and commercial facility. Unfortunately, air conditioners are mechanical systems, and they tend to wear out and need repairs. What repairs can you expect from your air conditioner if you neglect AC maintenance?

An Overheating Condenser Coll. The chief cause of overheating is a gunked-up condenser coil. The walls of the condenser consist of a network of tubes and fins, designed to release heat into the atmosphere. The fan at the center pulls air through the coil to cool it. However, pollen, which is sticky, is followed by other airborne particles, like dust and grass clippings. These particles act as insulation to keep the heat from escaping the tubes.

When the gas cannot escape, the gas inside the tubes does not cool properly. When the gas returns to the compressor motor, the motor overheats and seizes, a catastrophic failure. Replacing the compressor motor is very expensive. It is better to keep the condenser coil clean than replace the compressor motor.

The Evaporator Coil Freezing. Step inside the central air handler cabinet and find another coil, the evaporator coil. This coil works exactly opposite the condenser coil: the same gas is now cold. Warm air from inside the house blows across the cold coils to reduce the temperature inside. If you find that ice has built up around the evaporator coil, it is a problem.

  • Check the air filter. The warm air from the house contains a lot of humidity. The moisture condenser on the evaporator coil is good. Normally, the condensation drips down and drains away. However, a clogged filter restricts airflow, so the condensation has a chance to freeze in place. Changing the air filter might just solve this problem. If the filter is not clogged, check all the vents in the home. Blocked vents might also restrict airflow.
  • If air flow does not solve the problem of a frozen evaporator coil, call your air conditioner technician to check the refrigerant pressure. If the pressure is low, the temperature of the gas becomes much colder, and the condensation freezes quickly and just keeps freezing.

As you make repairs, remember that the ice will melt and will need to be collected to prevent a mess.

A Clogged Drain Line. Remember that the condensation in the evaporator chamber should drip from the coil. It does not just fall to the floor; it collects in a drain pan and drains away to a floor drain or other drainage conveyance. If water drops to the floor, but the evaporator coil is not frozen, check the drain pan and drain line.

  • Trip the circuit breaker marked “AC.”
  • Remove the bolts for the evaporator chamber cover. With a flashlight, identify the evaporator coil and the drain pan.
  • If water is overflowing the drain pan, use a wet/dry shop vac and remove the water. Use the vacuum on the drain line opening as well. The problem may be rust debris that has broken away from the drain pan, or it may be the accumulation of mold growth inside the drain line.
  • Clean the water mess and make sure the pan drains properly.
  • Reverse the process: replace the cover and restore power to the air conditioner.

Electrical Wear. Electronics seem so stable and unchanging, but looks are deceiving. The electronic controls, switches, and sensors receive damage with every heating or cooling cycle. One of the first control mechanisms to fail is usually the capacitors. (Capacitors are switch/battery combinations, so it is not surprising that they fail early.) Leave the electronics to trained technicians.

Low Refrigerant Pressure. Saving the worst situation for last, losing refrigerant is a big problem.  This problem may present itself in several ways, but the main evidence is the loss of cooling. Refrigerant changes, so the refrigerant in your existing system may be discontinued and unavailable. If the air conditioner stops cooling, call our AC maintenance technicians and let them explore the problem and explain options.

Prioritize Your Summer Comfort with Professional AC Maintenance

Don’t wait for a catastrophic compressor failure or a frozen evaporator coil to leave you sweating in the summer heat. By scheduling your routine AC maintenance today, you can catch hidden issues like clogged drain lines and low refrigerant before they turn into costly emergencies. Call the All Cool AC & Heating team of expert technicians at 281-238-9292 right now to schedule your summertime AC maintenance appointment and ensure your home stays cool and comfortable all season long.