There are 2 fans in your air conditioning system: one in the condenser unit and another in the air handler. Both fans have an equal part in cooling your home. If you begin to notice a change in your fan’s speed – it seems too fast or slow – there are 3 key areas to have your Portland air conditioning technician from Clean Air Act inspect on your AC system:
Motor Issues
Each fan has its own motor. Like any other motor, the fan motor has its own wiring, etc., that powers it. If something in the motor has broken down, such as an electrical connection, has bad wiring or some other operating issue, the fan won’t turn.
Fan Belts
Fan belts can become stretched, cracked and break during normal wear-and-tear. This can result in a slow-turning fan or one that isn’t turning at all. The belt itself cannot be fixed, but it can be easily replaced by your Clean Air Act technician.
Malfunctioning Run Capacitor
Run capacitors create the rotating magnetic field in your system’s condenser fan. A capacitor that is malfunctioning or failing can cause the fan’s motor to slow down and/or overheat. In most cases like this, the run capacitor needs to be replaced.
Ways to Help Maintain Your Air Conditioner’s Fans
Every part of your air conditioner is going to experience wear-and-tear, but there are things that can be done to extend the life of the fans in your system.
First, putting your fan on the correct setting on your thermostat is important. Most fans come with 3 settings: on, off and auto. When running your air conditioning system, it can be confusing to know which setting is better, the on or auto switch. The auto switch sets the fans to run in accordance with your thermostat; they’ll go on when your system automatically turns on. The on switch means that the fans will run continuously, and not according to the thermostat. By leaving your fan switch to on, you may run the risk of premature wearing.
Second, fans in your air conditioner will get dirty. With regular bi-annual maintenance, they will get cleaned and inspected, helping to ensure that they are running optimally.
If you think you may have an issue with the fans in your air conditioner, call Clean Air Act and schedule an appointment to have one of our technicians take a look at your system. You can count on us to help you enjoy quality air conditioning in Portland.
Tags: Air Conditioning, Portland
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