The part of your air conditioner that sits outside is easy to forget about since it's out of your sight and may even be out of your range of hearing. That's why it's a good idea to check it occasionally so you can notice changes in the way it sounds and looks. However, when parts go bad, the air in your home is affected, and this can clue you to problems with the outdoor unit too. Here are some signs it's time to call an HVAC contractor to check the outdoor condenser unit.

When Your Air Conditioner Blows Out Warm Air

Several things can cause your air conditioner to stop blowing chilled air, and an HVAC contractor has to rule out all possible causes. One potential reason is a loss of refrigerant. When the refrigerant level drops, your AC can't cool the air and your home will get warmer inside. This causes your AC to run more frequently, and it can drive up your electricity bill. A refrigerant leak can be so tiny that it takes a long time for the refrigerant to leak out completely, but when it does, your AC can't cool your home at all.

Refrigerant lines are in the outdoor condenser, and these connect to the indoor part of your air conditioner. These lines can go bad in a number of different places, so the HVAC contractor has to find the leak and then repair it so new refrigerant can be added.

When You Hear Ticking Or Rattling Noises

In addition to refrigerant, the condenser has a fan, compressor, and electrical parts. If something goes wrong with these parts, your AC may start making unusual noises. When the fan is loose or bad, it may get rattly or make squeaking noises. A ticking noise could be a sign of electrical problems in the unit. Even though you don't know what the unusual noises mean, if you hear them, you should call an HVAC contractor to take a look at your AC so problems can be repaired early.

When The Condenser Cage Is Damaged

The outdoor part of your AC is subject to UV exposure, heat, rain, storms, and even flying debris from a lawnmower. While some minor dents and dings may not be a problem, some things, such as grime buildup and bent fins, can become issues. One problem to watch for is bending of the fins. You might bend them accidentally when you try to clean them or if you back a mower into the AC. If this happens, the fins have to be straightened out or airflow is restricted.

Another problem that has to be dealt with is cleaning out the cage to get rid of grime and debris. The best way to handle this is to hire an HVAC contractor to service your AC at least once a year so the air conditioner can be cleaned properly and get ready for summer use.