In Arkansas, we use our air conditioners most of the year, so we can’t afford to let them fail. When you call your HVAC maintenance company for your annual service inspection, you should have confidence that your tech will thoroughly inspect your AC parts and replace those that show signs of wear.
Do you know anything about the various AC parts and which ones are the most likely to fail over time? Here’s a look at some of the AC parts that most commonly suffer breakdowns.
- Capacitor. The capacitor stores electricity. It sends the initial jolt to the air conditioner’s motor so that it revs up and starts the cooling process.
- Thermostat. Regardless of which type of thermostat you have, this is where you set the temperatures so that your HVAC system turns on when you want it to. If you have an older-style thermostat you may need to change the batteries. Some thermostats are hardwired, and the wiring may come loose or fray.
- Evaporator Coil. This coil is located in the interior of the HVAC system. The compressor pumps liquid refrigerant to the evaporator coil. The blower fan moves air over the coil so the refrigerant in the evaporator coil absorbs the heat. The coil needs to be clean so that this process works correctly. The evaporator coil can become corroded and cause leaks as a result of formic acid accumulating on the coil.
- Condenser Coil. Condenser coils are located in the exterior side of the AC. They can become dirty and sometimes need cleaning, either with a hose or, in extreme cases, with chemicals.
- Compressor Fan. These fans blow over the condenser coils as they carry hot refrigerant. When this fan stops working, the AC will not produce cool air. The fan motors can also burn out.
- Compressor Failure. One of the most dreaded of parts failures because of the expense, the compressor may fail due to dirty coils. Blocked refrigerant lines can cause the compressor to explode.
