The outside unit of your air conditioner is called the condenser unit, and it serves an essential function. Your cooling system doesn’t simply “create” cold air. Instead, since cooling is not an energy that can be generated, the air conditioner removes heat from a space first. Refrigerant—a chemical heat-transfer fluid—absorbs the heat from inside your home and releases it outside, thanks to the condenser unit.
You may have noticed that the space around your outdoor unit is always warm—this process is why. The condenser unit is where heat dissipates into the air from the refrigerant that’s circulated through the system. This portion of your air conditioner also houses the compressor, which is the hardest-working component of the entire cooling system.
When something goes wrong with any part of your cooling system, you can call on our team for reliable West Palm Beach, FL air conditioning services. In the meantime, we’ve shared below some important factors regarding condenser units.
Your Condenser Unit Could Solely Be to Blame for a Broken AC
It’s unfortunate, but true. The condenser unit could be the reason that your entire air conditioner breaks down. Don’t lose all hope just yet though! A common question we get is if you can replace just the condenser.
The short answer is yes, you can. Some technicians often do in some cases. Perhaps if you have a newer system and the damage occurred due to outside forces, such as inclement weather. But, it’s very important to note that this practice doesn’t always solve the problem in the long-term. Your AC system can actually suffer since its components will be mismatched.
When you replace the condenser unit along, you’ll have old components mixed with the new. The older air conditioner components are going to wear down quicker, of course, which could leave you with a newer condenser that’s eventually rendered useless.
Is It More Economical to Buy a Whole New System?
Most often, yes. In many cases, replacing an air conditioning system piece by piece is going to cost more than replacing an air conditioner all at once—especially when you factor in labor costs and all that could potentially go wrong from having a mismatched system.
If your air conditioner is more than 10-15 years old, you’re frequently making repairs, and/or your next repair services will cost about half the price of a new system, it just makes more economical sense to get a new one. Be sure to talk to our professionals so you can make an informed decision about when to replace or repair your air conditioning system. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, including whether or not a different model of cooling system will benefit you and your home more than what you currently have.
In addition to providing exceptional air conditioning services throughout the West Palm Beach area and beyond, we our one of the very few HVAC companies in south Florida who are also licensed mold assessors, mold remediators, and duct cleaners. Contact Envirotech Air Quality Services today!