Air conditioners do not last forever. Yours will eventually reach a point where it is no longer operating properly and needs to be replaced. However, you can often extend an air conditioner's life by making small repairs as the need to do so arises. Here are some common small repairs that your AC unit might need as it ages.
Replacing the Condensate Drain Tube
The condensate drain tube is a simple, rubberized tube that carries the condensation your AC unit generates to a nearby drain or sink. Over time, grime can accumulate inside this tube. You can clean it out, but sometimes grime permanently alters the texture of the inside of the tube to the point that it keeps getting blocked. At this point, replacing the tube is your best bet. An HVAC contractor can easily remove the tube and put a new one into place. This only takes a few minutes, and the tubing used is fairly inexpensive.
You'll know if your condensate drain tube needs to be replaced because there will be water on the floor around your AC unit. The water spills over because it's unable to make it past a blockage in the tube.
Replacing the Capacitor
The capacitor is a tiny part that sends an electrical signal to the fan, telling it to turn on when your AC compressor turns on. Over time, the capacitor can become worn due to exposure to the elements or repeated use. If this part fails, you won't feel any air coming from the ducts. Homeowners sometimes assume this means their AC has given up the ghost. However, most HVAC contractors can replace a capacitor quite easily. That makes this a repair worth making.
Replacing Ball Bearings
Your air conditioner's fan unit has a few ball bearings. They are intended to rotate, allowing moving parts to move over one another without scraping. But the ball bearings themselves can sometimes become flat and worn on one side. The main symptom of this is a scraping noise when your AC is blowing out air. An HVAC contractor can pry out the damaged ball bearings and pop new ones into place, which should quiet down your air conditioner and prevent further damage.
Eventually, you will need to replace your old air conditioner. However, these repairs are small and worth making in order to get a few more years out of your aging appliance.
For more information on AC units, contact an HVAC company, such as Home Heating Service, Inc.
Share19 July 2023
Working with HVAC contractors is an important part of being a homeowner. Not only do your contractors ensure that a new system you buy is properly installed, but they also ensure optimal performance throughout the years through a series of regular inspections, maintenance services, and repairs. But there are lots of things you can do in between your contractor's visits to ensure that your HVAC investment is always in tip top condition, aside from cleaning out the air filters. After working with my dad for more than a decade in the HVAC business, I've put together a few methods homeowners can use to maintain a well working system, and I have published those tips and tricks right here on this blog. I hope some of the information you find here helps you on your journey as a homeowner!
