by citicool | Sep 22, 2017 | Aircon Problems, Aircon Repair, General Information
What is an ac condenser ?
An ac condenser is an outdoor unit which houses the compressor. It is so known because it is normally placed in an open area or environment. The ac condenser is basically a machine playing the role of a heat exchange or heat transfer. In fact, if you ever walk pass an operating ac condenser, you will feel very hot because of the hot air being blown out by the condensing fan. Actually, it is advisable to place the ac condenser in open and airy area because it will help in facilitating its function of transferring heat to the outdoor environment. Some people even try to place their ac condenser under shady areas in their garden. However, note that it is important to make sure the ac condenser is clear of any debris or rubbish which may obstruct its heat transfer.
How does the ac condenser transfer heat?
Heat is absorbed by the evaporating coil (also known as cooling coil) found in the indoor unit (also known as fan coil). The heat absorbed by the evaporator coil is then transferred via the refrigerant in the aircon system to the ac condenser for dispersion. The ac condenser has a condensing fan which serve the purpose of blowing out the heat to the outdoor environment at a faster speed.
What causes ac condenser to be so noisy?
When your air conditioning system is on, there bound to be a small amount of bearable sound coming out from the condenser. However, sometimes you may start to hear different types of loud, wierd and unusual noises coming out from the condenser. When this happens, most likely certain key component in the condenser is malfunctioning. The different types of noises produce by the ac condenser provide useful symptom telling you which part of the condenser might have problem. Before we go into further details, lets understand what is an ac condenser made of first.
An ac condenser is made of the following key components :
- Compressor(s);
- Condensing coil;
- Fan motor;
- Refrigerant/Freon Gas;
- Solenoid(s) and
- Valve(s) (flow control device);
All the above components are integrated with inter connected electrical parts, piping and tubes. The minute any of the above components becomes defective, the condenser will start to produce different types of strange noise. The character of each type of noise produced by the condenser provides an indication on which component is not working well. Next, we will try to classify the different types of possible noises that a problematic ac condenser can produce.
What are the common noises produce by a problematic ac condenser?
The following are some common noises you may hear coming from a problematic ac condenser. The noise includes but are not limited to the following:
a. humming – a low continuous sound
b. hissing – a sound like a long “s”
c. buzzing – a long continual sound
d. rattling – a short sharp knocking sound
e. banging – a sudden loud noise
f. clicking – a short sharp sound
g. screaming – very loud high-pitched sound
h. squealing- a long high-pitched sound
Why does ac condenser produces humming sound?
If your hears a loud humming noise (i.e. a low continuous sound) from your AC condenser, the problem could be due to:
- the compressor cushion has worn off;
- the compressor internal component parts has worn out; or
- the compressor capacitor has become faulty.
| Solution: |
Once you ascertain exactly which of the above part is faulty, replace it with a new part. You can also source for a used part that is still working. Once the faulty part is replaced, the humming sound should stop. |
Why does ac condenser produces hissing sound?
If your AC condenser produces loud hissing noise (i.e. the sound of a long “s”), there are two possible causes. First, it is likely that there is an internal blockage in the condensing coil.
| Solution: |
Clean the condensing coil and remove all the clogs and blockages. |
If you have diligently cleaned away the dirts and clogs on the condensing coil but the hissing sound problem is still there. The next possibility is that there is a leakage of refrigerant or the refrigerant valves may be damaged.
| Solution: |
Once refrigerant is involved, it is more advisable to engaged a professional to diagnose and solve the problem. |
Why does ac condenser produces buzzing sound?
If your AC compressor produces loud buzzing noise (i.e. a long continual sound), it is an indication of a more serious problem. Either the motor, electrical component in the condenser has failed or the wire in the condenser has loosen.
| Solution: |
Dealing with electrical components poses a higher risk and danger as there is a possibility of fire risk. Therefore in the event that your AC produces loud buzzing sound, we would recommend that you to contact a professional to help you solve the problem instead of fixing it by yourself. |
Why does ac condenser produces rattling sound?
If the noise is a rattling sound (i.e. a short sharp knocking sound) , there are several likely causes.
First, most likely there is some problem with the condensing fan. However, if the above effort does not solve the problem, there is a likelihood that the fan motor bearing is burnt out or the starting capacitor has become defective.
| Solution1: |
For condensing fan problem – normally cleaning the fan or re-aligning the fan will solve the problem. For defective fan motor or starting capacitor – replace the defective parts. |
Second, rattling sound from the condenser can also be caused either by loose parts, or shaking of the internal tubes.
| Solution2: |
Tightening the loose parts will solve the problem. |
Third, rattling sound could also be due to the refrigerant level is too high or the wrong refrigerant type being used.
| Solution3: |
If the problem is due to wrong refrigerant level or type, it is more advisable to engage an aircon professional to diagnose and solve the problem. |
Why does ac condenser produces banging sound?
If the noise is a banging sound (i.e. a sudden loud noise), there could be loosen parts, i.e. piston pin, internal mount or even the crank shaft in the aircon compressor could have loosen. This could be an indication that the compressor lifespan is almost up.
| Solution: |
Replacement of compressor may be required. |
Why does ac condenser produces clicking sound?
If your AC compressor starts to produce a persistent clicking sound (i.e. a short sharp sound), it could be due to loose parts or dirty fan.
| Solution1: |
Tighhen the loose parts and clean the dirty fan. |
If tightening the parts and cleaning the fan does not work, then there could be a bigger problem such as the followings:
- control board is damaged;
- thermostat wire is shorted; or
- thermostat is broken.
| Solution2: |
Handling the above components is very dangerous due to high risk of electrocution. Therefore your should contact a professional to perform troubleshooting and help with the repair or replacement of parts. |
Why does aircon condenser produces screaming sound?
If your AC compressor starts to produce unbearable screaming sound (i.e. very loud high-pitched sound) it is normally due to strong internal pressure due to a number of factors such as clogging, failed bearing or motor failure.
| Solution: |
It is advisable to engage a professional to troubleshoot and check which is the reason for the screaming sound. |
Why does your ac condenser produces squealing sound?
If your AC compressor produces loud squealing noise (i.e.a long high-pitched sound) , either the fan motor or compressor motor is in trouble. This could be due to the air con being overused or the lifespan of the fan motor or compressor motor is nearing its end.
| Solution: |
Replacement of fan motor or compressor may be necessary. |
Engaging a professional to help repair or replace your ac condenser
CitiCool offers free troubleshooting service to identify the problem existing in your defective ac condenser. However, we do charge a minimal transportation cost which can be used to offset against the repair cost. We also sell both used and new ac condenser component and parts that you may need to replace to fix your defective condenser. Customers who try to save cost normally choose to use used parts to replace the damage part of their condenser. If it is more cost effective to replace your ac condenser, we also have second hand ac condenser available for replacement. Normally, we would advise customer with an old aircon system to replace their condenser with a re-conditioned unit instead of a new unit. This is more cost effective because just in case the indoor unit also start to have problem later, the owner may consider changing the entire system. In this scenario, it may not be advisable to replace the current ac condenser with a new one.
Feel free to contact us if you require our service.
Other Related Educational Tips to read
Air Con System Components That Are Non Replaceable
Educational Content covering Causes, Tips and Solutions for Aircon Problems
Educational Content covering FAQ on Aircon Conditioner Problems
Air Conditioning Service Office Contact
Tap the number below on your handphone to contact us.
Office Mainline No: . 6876 0581
Check our office and aircon workshop location on our contact page.
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Air Conditioning Service Booking
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by citicool | Sep 19, 2017 | Aircon Maintenance, Aircon Problems, Aircon Repair, Aircon Servicing, General Information
Is aircon leaking water a serious aircon problem ?
Aircon leaking water (Indoor Unit)
If you are having a concern over aircon leaking water in your indoor unit, actually, it may or may not be a problem of concern. For example, you may spot some water around the evaporator coil of the air conditioner (“AC”) unit. There is no need to panic as this is actually due to condensation of the evaporator coil and this is quite normal. Sometimes, you may even spot a small pool of water. Actually, there is no need to be too worried also.
However, you need to have some concern if you spotted an abnormally big amount of water leaking from the fan coil. This is really an aircon leaking water problem. However, this problem can be solved easily with the help of an aircon technician. Normally, its quite easy to solve the problem. Let’s explore on where the problem lies so that you can understand the extent and type of work required to solve the problem.
What causes aircon leaking water problem?
Possibilities for aircon leaking water include but are not limited to:
- drainage pipe is dirty or blocked;
- drainage pipe not properly installed ; or
- refrigerant level is too low
I: Drainage pipe is dirty or blocked
One very common reason resulting in the problem of aircon leaking water is due to blockage in the drainage pipe. Whether you use the air conditioner frequently or not, there will be dust, dirt or debris accumulated inside the drainage pipe over time. In fact, the higher the usage of your air con, the faster dust, debris and even mould will accumulate in the drainage pipe. In addition, over time, the pipe may become rusty and cracks may form also. This is especially so if your air con is a very old system. Therefore, if you did not service your air con regularly, the accumulation of all kinds of debris in the drainage pipe will start to cause blockage. This blockage in your drainage pipe is definitely contributing to your aircon leaking water.
II: drainage pipe not properly installed
If your air conditioning system is very new yet it starts to have water leaking problem, one of the likely cause is due to improper installation of the drainage pipe. Some possible installation problems include but are not limited to:
- the drainage pipe was not installed with a correct gradient
- the drainage pipe was not connected correctly
- the drainage pan was not fitted in correctly
III: Refrigerant Level is low
When the refrigerant level in your air conditioning system is too low, it will result in pressure which can cause the evaporator coil to freeze over. When the ice starts to melt, water will flow into the drainage pan. An excessive amount of water flowing into the drainage pan will cause an overflow. This will result in your aircon leaking water.
What to do if you have aircon leaking water problem?
Once you identify your aircon leaking water, the best thing to do is to switch it off. Whenever there is water around an electrical item, there is hazard. It is also better to turn off the air conditioner. Otherwise, the aircon leaking water problem can accelerate in more problems causing further damages to your air conditioning system. Therefore, it is advisable to switch it off and stop using the air conditioner until the problem is resolved.
Engaging professional help to solve your aircon leaking water problem
If your air conditioner (AC) system is newly installed, then it is very likely that the AC leaking water is a result of poor AC installation. You should contact your AC supplier to do the troubleshooting since your AC should be still under warranty.
If you have been using your aircon for some time and have not been servicing it. It is likely that your AC leaks water due to drainage pipe blockage. The solution is either to perform a general aircon servicing or a chemical wash (also known as chemical overhaul) to eradicate the problem. Which service to perform really depends on the extent of the blockages. If you are not sure which is a better solution, you should engage a professional opinion.
In fact, there are certain risks involved if you try to solve the aircon leaking water problem by yourself. Dealing with water in an electrical appliances actually involve danger, especially for a layman. Do contact CitiCool if you need help. We are just one phone call away. Sometimes we are able to assess the likely causes and extent of the problem if you are able to provide us the answer to a few relevant questions. Sometime, we may need to go onsite to perform troubleshooting before giving you the right advise. Just feel free to give us a call.
How to prevent aircon leaking water problem?
Prevention is always better then cure. The following are some useful tips on how to maintain your aircon to prevent it from leaking water:
- Clean or change the air filter regularly. This can help to remove the dirt that may be blown into your drainage pipe.
- Service and maintain the cleanliness of drainage pipe regularly to prevent blockage
- Check that the refrigerant level is appropriate and not too low.
Further prevention also include:
- Having an additional drainage pan to stall excessive water flowing from the existing drainage pan.
- Having an additional drainage pipe (secondary piping) installed for usage in the event the existing one becomes clogged.
Other Related Educational Tips to read
Educational Content covering Causes, Tips and Solutions for Aircon Problems
Educational Content covering FAQ on Aircon Conditioner Problems
Air Conditioning Service Office Contact
Tap the number below on your handphone to contact us.
Office Mainline No: . 6876 0581
Check our office and aircon workshop location on our contact page.
|
Air Conditioning Service Booking
If you need any air conditioning service from CitiCool, clicking on the “Service Booking” button below.
Find CitiCool on the following social media
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by citicool | Jul 10, 2017 | Aircon Installation, Aircon Servicing
Citicool is an Aircon company with bizsafe level 5 (bizstar)
Citicool’s OHSAS 18001 Certificate
Citicool’s Bizstar Level 5 Certificate
Before becoming a company with bizsafe level 5 (bizstar)
CitiCool’s Commitment to Workplace Health & Safety Practices
Aircon servicing and installation work involve a certain extent of occupational hazards for our aircon technicians. Since CitiCool started its business, workplace health and safety is one area which receives high priority in CitiCool’s daily operation. This is part of our responsibility in caring for employees’ health and safety. In fact, this commitment is clearly stated in CitiCool’s core values.
As a matter of fact, even before embarking on OHSAS 180001, CitiCool already had its own set of bilingual safe work procedures. In addition, our staff attended formal trainings on safe work procedures, risk assessment and risk management. However, like many local air conditioning companies, CitiCool’s staff comprises of both local and foreign workers. For example, we have workers from Malaysia, China and India. Our aircon technicians from India are mostly diploma holders, so they can understand English. On the other hand, most Chinese aircon technicians whether locally or from our nearby countries are well-versed in Chinese but are poor in English. Therefore, CitiCool sees the need to provide its workplace with safety documents and training contents in both English and Chinese Language. This will help all the staff in the company understand our training better.
Why become a company with bizsafe level 5 (bizstar)?
Why do we go for Bizsafe Level 5 (bizstar) instead of just Bizsafe Level 3?
If you do an online search, most aircon servicing companies in Singapore either have no bizsafe certification or have only achieved a bizsafe level 3 certification. This is quite normal because higher bizsafe rating means a higher cost involved. Given the high operating cost in Singapore, CitiCool has the same concern. However, in CitiCool, we see things differently. Aircon servicing and installation involve a number of occupational risk and hazards. Thus, it is important for us to establish and maintain a high standard workplace health and safety policy and procedure. As the saying goes, ‘total quality management means doing things right at the first time’. We wanted to do this right at the first time. When we got it right, we could then do the proper and right maintenance. Moreover, since CitiCool already had most of the basic documentations and practices in place, we believed that getting a bizstar was just a matter of some touching up on our workplace health and safety documentations and practices.
To be honest, getting a bizsafe level 3 or level 5 certification from WSHC was not our main concern. Our main concern was our workplace health and safety procedures must be right and up to standard. Going for a higher rating helped us to ensure that we had all the right documentation and practices in place. At the end of the day, the most important thing is our effort in maintaining the standard. We should work on the essence instead of just focusing on the certification. Although having a bizsafe level 3 was sufficient to maintain our business operation, we opted for bizsafe level 5 right from the start.
Based on WSHC’s requirement, to obtain a Bizstar certification, you will need at least a SS506 Certification issued by SAC accredited certification bodies or a BS OHSAS 18001 or other equivalent certification. This certification must also be accompanied by a Risk Managment Implementation Audit Report issued by MOM Approved WSH Auditor. CitiCool chose to go for international standard for a start. Our management wanted to follow an internationally recognized certification from the start. This will also help to compliment our company’s effort in maintaining a high standard on workers’ health and safety. That is why we chose to go for BS 18001 instead of SS 506. However, in the future we may choose to maintain our bizstar via SS 506 accreditation if we want to have the best of both accreditation induced in our bizsafe.
Note: SS 506 is a Singapore Standard and SAC stands for Singapore Accredition Council. BS OHSAS is an internationally applied Bristish Standard fo occupational health and safety management systems.
Essence of a company with Bizsafe Level 5 (bizstar) rating
To get an OHSAS or bizsafe level 5 certification is not a difficult task for most companies if the basic requirements are met. However, is this sufficient? In Citicool, we believe in the essence and not just the documentation or certification alone. We are always mindful in giving due emphasis on our workers’ welfare which is well stated in our company’s core values under commitment and open-mindedness, ‘Commitment in caring for employees’ health and safety and commitment in …….shall be duly emphasized ‘ and ‘Open-mindedness …includes embracing people from diverse background and respecting each other regardless of age, language, culture, religion and ethnic background’.
CitiCool’s founder was an aircon technician who fully understands the hazards relating to aircon servicing and installation which involves handling of chemicals and working at height daily. Allowing our workers to have sufficient rest has always been an important element to keep them healthy and safe daily. Some common practices to ensure that CitiCools workers’ welfare are well taken care of include but are not limited to:
- Planning its daily work schedule in such a manner that workers have reasonable and sufficient time to complete their work
- Limiting overtime work as workers need enough rest for their daily work.
- Allowing workers who stay far away from the company to drive the company’s vehicle home if they finish their work late due to unforseen circumstances.
- Dismissing all workers from work early if all of them are very efficient and have completed their work earlier. This is normally the case during the low season for example, immediately after Chinese New Year, during the hungry ghost festival month or sometime rainy season.
- Providing a rest area where our workers can rest and interact with each other after coming back to CitiCool’s office from customers’ site. From time to time, the company also provide different types of delicious snacks such as chocolates, biscuits, potato chips, jelly and drinks for the workers to delight themselves in while relaxing at the rest area after a day’s work.
- Organizing free overseas trip for its workers and their family members (including spouse and children). The company intention is to provide a good environment for all workers to socialize and interact with each other regardless of their diverse background. This is in keeping with CitiCool’s core value on “embracing open-mindedness”. Most workers leave their families in their home country to work in CitiCool and it is important for them to feel that it is worthwhile for them to work in CitiCool and work in Singapore.
Besides the above, CitiCool also welcome the parents, spouse or children of foreign workers who come from far away countries to visit them in Singapore to observe their working environment. Some of our Indian and Chinese workers who have worked in the company for a long time had their family members fly to Singapore for a visit. The company is always glad to offer help or even free tickets to some places of interest to these family members. In fact, CitiCool also encourage its foreign workers to fly home yearly during the Chinese New Year long holiday to spend time with their family members.
by admin | Aug 11, 2015 | Aircon Maintenance, Aircon Servicing, Chemical Wash
There are different ways of cleaning fan coil components. Light cleaning can be done if the coil is less contaminated compared to heavy cleaning for coil heavily contaminated with dust and dirt. This article compare the results between using chemical solutions or vacuum cleaning for fan coil cleaning. (more…)
by admin | Aug 11, 2015 | Aircon Maintenance, Aircon Servicing, Chemical Wash
Different companies adopt different strategies in selling their aircon servicing. Many also adopt different innovative ideas of cleaning aircon to attract customers and bring up the sales figures. As a result, there are different types of aircon servicing services available in the market. (more…)
