AC Part Replacement – Why You May Need it

If you’re an air conditioner owner, there’s a good chance at some point you will need to replace a part on your unit. In fact, many parts wear down and need to be replaced over time. This can include the compressor, coils, or capacitors. It’s important to know when it’s time for a replacement so that you don’t end up with an expensive repair bill.

While your air conditioning system is meant to last year for at least 10 years, it is also normal to end up with some problems with your AC unit at some point. Here are the top air conditioner parts that will most likely need replacement:

Capacitor

The capacitor is the part of your air conditioning unit that regulates the voltage. It works with other parts to ensure your AC system starts up and runs as it should. However, capacitors do wear out over time, requiring replacement services. You can usually change this yourself if you’re comfortable with doing mechanics work; otherwise, contact a professional HVAC technician for assistance.

Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your air conditioning system, so you’ll want to take care of it. If it starts making noise, immediately contact a service person because it could indicate that your aircon unit needs replacement parts. In addition, if your AC system doesn’t seem to release cool air as it used to be, the chances are good the compressor has worn down and needs replacement.

Your AC compressor may also need to be replaced if your blower motor doesn’t seem to be working. Again, you can probably replace this yourself since most compressors are fairly simple; otherwise, call someone to do the work for you.

Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is also an integral part of your cooling system, especially for an air conditioner installed inside of windows. If it gets too dirty, you won’t get the proper airflow and, therefore, no relief from the scorching heat. You need to clean this once a year at the minimum if it’s located inside of your home. Otherwise, check with the manufacturer about how often this should be done on external air conditioners.

Evaporators are known for their fan motors, which tend to wear down and make noise. If your AC unit is making loud noises and you notice a decrease in airflow, it’s time to replace the evaporator fan motor right away; otherwise, you may end up causing permanent damage.

Condensers

Condensers are usually made of copper coils that need ventilation for the cooling process. If this isn’t enough, your AC system won’t be able to live up to its full potential, and parts will wear down quickly as a result. Make sure you keep this clear of debris at all times since obstructions can cause problems with airflow and will also affect the performance of your blower motor.

It’s fairly common for condensers to experience buildup after some time since they’re constantly collecting water when in use. This will cause them to work harder than normal, making them wear down faster. The key is to clean the condenser every few weeks if you don’t plan to replace it beforehand.

Risks of not replacing AC parts

Replacing faulty or problematic parts in your aircon is actually the most realistic solution compared to simply waiting for it to stop functioning altogether or trying to solve it yourself. Here are some scenarios that could happen:

• If an evaporator coil is damaged, it likely won’t completely cool down even when the AC is running full blast. And this means you’re going to have to crank it up even more just so everyone in your home isn’t sweltering! Not only does this cost money since it takes more power to run the AC, but it’s likely to wear out other parts that are part of the system more quickly.
• If you’re trying to clean an evaporator coil and end up breaking it instead, this is going to cause massive problems. For instance, a homeowner can’t replace this part of your cooling system; only a service provider should handle this process.
• If there’s any water sitting on top of an evaporator coil after cleaning, replace this right away because it won’t work properly without proper insulation. Even small amounts of moisture can cause freeze-ups if they aren’t removed from this area until you know the problem with the condenser.

Benefits of AC Unit Parts Replacement

Replacing parts on your AC unit not only helps to keep your home cool, but it can also end up saving you money in the long run. There are good deals out there on necessary repairs for your AC unit that may be more energy efficient than what you have now.

For example, if you’re using a window air conditioning unit and plan to replace it with a central unit soon, start researching sale prices for this new type of AC unit first before buying a new one. This way, you’ll know if it’s worth waiting until you can get a price break since they aren’t cheap! However, before making any changes to your cooling system, always check with your AC service provider or manufacturer first. Major brands of AC systems will have their parts readily and locally available, so this should not be much of an issue, given that you have the right aircon service provider.

If at all possible, avoid DIY repairs because these could end up doing more harm than good. For example, you might make a major mistake if the wrong interior parts are used on your air conditioner.

You need to know about working on your AC unit: Check that there’s nothing in the path that will prevent movement before you get started. This can include plants or other items that may get in the way of moving parts.

Knowing when to replace parts of an air conditioning system is important if you want to ensure optimal performance at all times. This and periodic maintenance will guarantee that the cooling system will be less likely to fail as time goes on.