With the first real week of warmer weather on the books for the year, we’ve already received the first emergency call of the season. I long time customer called to report that “…I think I killed my air conditioner.”

When the technician arrived, he found that, in the interest of prolonging the lifespan of their air conditioning condenser, the homeowner had placed a protective tarp over the unit for the winter. What the homeowner had failed to do was remove the tarp before starting the unit for the first time this season.

A/C Compressor Unit Protective Coverings

This created a condition in which air flow was severely restricted, or eliminated, across the condenser coil. The unit operated for approximately a day like this, providing minimal to no cooling, until the high pressure sensor ultimately failed due to repeated activation, and shut down all unit functions.

The customer was relieved to learn that their unit wasn’t permanently dead, and the technician was able to source and install a new sensor in short order to get them back up and cooling.

This is, honestly, the best case scenario for this situation, as we’ve seen thousands of dollars of damage done to individual units due to restricted air flow at the condensing unit. As cooling season begins to ramp up, homeowners should review and/or address the following items that can impact air flow around the condensing unit:

-As detailed above, remove any protective coverings on the unit.

-If you have a protective roof built over the unit, ensure there is 3-4 feet of clearance between the top of the unit and underside of the roof.

-Clear away any bushes, vines, or uncut grasses within 12” of the side of the unit.

-Examine the fins of the condenser coil, often visible through the protective shroud around the unit. They should be parallel to each other with a gap that air can pass through. If they have been flattened due to an overzealous washing, a wayward Big Wheel, or the ever-dangerous string trimmer, inspection by a technician may be warranted as the performance of the unit is degraded with every fin that does not allow for correct air flow.

-While examining the condenser fins, also look for signs of debris build up between the fins. Most condensing units draw air in through the sides and out the top. Unfortunately, they also draw in grass clippings, pollen, leaves, fur, dryer lint, and well – anything light enough to get caught in the air current. A build up of debris, over time, can significantly impact the performance of the system. Home owners can GENTLY clear this debris with a garden hose, or our technicians are happy to address this during a preventative maintenance.

-Check for the presence of garbage cans, yard implements, or building materials within 12” of the unit sides that may impede the flow of air into the unit.

Appalachian Air is Available to Help You

If you’re unsure about addressing any of these issues, or feel the current condition of your unit is beyond your expertise, feel free to set up a preventative maintenance with one of our technicians.     

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Experience the difference with Appalachian Air, a premier HVAC company covering Northern Central West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania. We stand for three cornerstone principles: Inform and Educate, Invest in our People and Solve Problems, Affordably.

Founded by three highly skilled and dedicated individuals with extensive experience in the industry, we aim to revolutionize customer expectations in the region. Our team is committed to providing exceptional service, whether it’s routine maintenance, repairs, quotes, system installations, or simply answering your questions. At Appalachian Air, we prioritize your satisfaction at every step.