The outdoor unit, the condenser, is where heat from your home gets dumped outside. Inside that metal cabinet are six key parts. The compressor is the heavy cylinder at the center that pressurizes refrigerant and drives the entire cooling cycle. The condenser coil lines the walls and releases heat as refrigerant passes through it. The condenser fan motor and blade pull air across that coil. The contactor is the electrical switch that powers the unit on when the thermostat calls for cooling. The run capacitor gives the compressor and fan the jolt they need to start and keep spinning. Finally, the service valves on the side are where a technician connects gauges and refrigerant. The capacitor and contactor are the most common, and least expensive, failure points. If your outdoor unit is humming, silent, or not spinning, call LA Heating & Air at (818) 660-1062.
