It's hard to imagine life without an air conditioner, especially in a tropical country like Singapore, where temperature and humidity remain high throughout the year. An air conditioner is a machine in which different components come together to create a cooling effect in a closed area. An aircon system is usually composed of two major units — interior and exterior. The exterior unit is called the condenser. As the name suggests, this exterior unit is responsible for condensing and liberating heat energy to the outdoors in order to provide cool and clean air to the occupants in a closed space. A typical condenser unit comprises of the compressor, blower fan, condenser coil, motors, and capacitors.
In the absence of a condenser, an air conditioner will miserably fail its primary task of cooling. As the outdoor unit that facilitates regular transportation of the refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units, this is an extremely vital part in the aircon system process.
The refrigerant or coolant is responsible for removing and absorbing heat within a room and emitting this heat into the external atmosphere. It does so with the help of the condenser. The refrigerant leaves the evaporator in the form of hot, high-pressure gas and enters through the Suction Line. Every condenser is equipped with a piston that does the job of condensing the gas together. Once this is done, both the temperature as well as the pressure of the gas increase. The condensed gas then exits and enters through the Discharge Line. Since the heat flows from a higher temperature to a lower temperature, the heat stored in the refrigerant gets automatically transmitted to the cooler air outside the room. On the completion of the task, the coolant returns to its normal temperature and liquid state and returns to the original point in the cycle.
If your air conditioner's condenser is experiencing issues, you will begin to notice some signs. Here are a few usual condenser problems that indicate it's time to get your condenser cleaned:
1. Your air conditioner is not blowing cool air: An air conditioner can stop blowing cold air or cooling a room due to several different reasons. A faulty condenser could be one of these reasons. For instance, for an air conditioner to work correctly, the discharge pressure should be higher than the suction pressure. In the case of a discrepancy between the discharge pressure and the suction pressure, the condenser and the air conditioner will fail to do their job. Therefore, if your air conditioner isn't cooling correctly, it's time to call an expert.
2. There is a leak in the coolant of your aircon: The condenser plays a very vital role in your aircon’s overall performance. It works by circulating coolant through the coils and the condenser will then proceed to make the liquid evaporate. The condenser and compressor are then connected by pipes where the cool air flows through and helps carry heat out. Having a leakage in these pipes will affect the performance of the two parts and ultimately, the air conditioning system. This is a very typical problem among aircon condensers and one that requires immediate professional assistance.
3. The aircon is leaking refrigerant: In an air conditioner, thin tubes are responsible for transferring refrigerant between the condenser and the compressor. Thus, these tubes have an essential role to play in an air conditioning system. It is therefore highly likely that once these tubes start leaking, they could serve as a potential threat to the entire system. If your aircon is making a constant whirring sound or if there is frost on your aircon pipes, it's time to get your aircon checked.
4. You see some electrical faults: An air conditioner is a combination of several different components that work in unison to cool closed spaces. For instance, the motor of the condenser, which uses electricity to run, powers the fan and the unit. Since all components of an aircon are linked together, a fault in one part can lead to defects in other parts as well. Thus, any faults in your electrical circuits or units can easily lead to a malfunctioning or damaged unit.
5. Dirt and debris inside the aircon condenser: Another problem that plagues every aircon condenser is the accumulation of unwanted dirt and debris inside the system. Because aircon condensers are commonly placed outside the house or an office space, it’s very easy for these parts to collect dirt over time. In addition to these particles, they can also get falling leaves, branches, stones, and sticks stuck inside the system. It is therefore important to check for any of these elements regularly to keep your aircon condenser and unit properly maintained.
The best way to enhance the life and performance of an air conditioner is to run periodic checks on it and have it regularly maintained. A condenser is a vital component of an air conditioner. An air conditioner can’t cool any space efficiently with a faulty condenser. Thus, residential and commercial property owners must take extra measures to keep their aircon clean and healthy.
For all your aircon condenser and air conditioner-related worries, contact Oasis Aircon Services. Our professionally licensed technicians are highly trained experts and will be able to quell all your doubts in one appointment. When it comes to aircon installation and maintenance services, Oasis Aircon is a company you can trust.
