How To Check And Fix Your Condenser Hose

Reducing the cost of your energy bills can be tricky. Many homeowners try to reduce their dependence on their furnace or air conditioner by running them less. As a result, the home is less comfortable. There's a good chance that you could do a few simple maintenance tasks that could solve your problem, and you can still run your heat or AC as often as you used to. The great thing about these DIY projects is that you don't need to be an HVAC expert and you don't need any expensive tools or supplies. The condenser hose is one of the most vulnerable parts of an AC system.

Checking Your Condenser Hose

Luckily, checking and repairing most condenser problems is very simple. The condenser hose has a rubberized tool that runs from the back of unit into your walls. Since it is outside of your home, it is exposed to the elements. Furthermore, the hose is usually mounted to the bottom side of the condenser, so it often lays on the ground. This all means if there is an increased risk of the hose getting knocked loose or completely off in a variety of ways. The risk is obviously greater if you are constantly moving and storing things near your unit. There's also a chance that a rodent could chew through the rubber.

It is important that you regularly check your house. All you have to do is pick around the backside of your unit and make sure that both ends are connected. However, you should definitely do this while your AC is running, this way you can feel for airflow coming through loose connections or holes in the actual rubber that you might not be able to see.

Replacing the Hose

Usually, if there is an actual hole or cut in your hose, you should just replace it completely. Condenser hoses are cheap and easy to find at HVAC supply stores. If you do decide to change your house, you should also install new hose clamps. Most hose clamps can be easily removed and installed with just a flat head screwdriver. And once your house is removed, it is a good idea to check the output connection on the backside of your condenser and the input on your wall. These two critical junctures can get clogged with dirt and leaves if there was ever a hole in the hose. You can reinforce your hose and make the connection a little stronger by adding some duct tape on top of the hose clamps.

As you can see, this maintenance is very easy. Most people simply neglect to check their hose on a regular basis. Contact a company like Ragan Mechanical Inc  for more info.