In Boca Raton, air conditioning is not a comfort feature for most of the year. Here is what actually keeps a system working, and what to stop doing to it.
Run it, including in winter
The compressor is lubricated by oil that circulates with the refrigerant, and it only circulates when the system is running. A system left off for months can dry the compressor seals, which is how leaks start.
Running the A/C, or the defrost setting which engages the compressor, for ten minutes every couple of weeks is genuinely the cheapest maintenance available.
Change the cabin filter
A loaded cabin filter restricts airflow, which makes the system feel weak when it is working perfectly. In this humidity it also stays damp, and a damp filter is where the musty smell in the vents begins.
It is an inexpensive part and one of the most frequently skipped items on any service.
Dry the evaporator before you park
The musty smell comes from biological growth on an evaporator core that never fully dries. Switching the A/C off but leaving the fan running for the last few minutes of a drive pulls the moisture out, and it costs nothing.
Air fresheners move the problem downstream of your nose rather than solving it.
Keep the condenser clear
The condenser sits at the very front, ahead of the radiator, and collects leaves, bugs and road debris. Blocked airflow through it is the most common reason a system blows cold on the highway and warm in traffic. A gentle rinse from the engine side outward clears most of it.
The one thing not to do
Do not top it up with a DIY recharge can. Air conditioning is a sealed system. It does not consume refrigerant the way an engine consumes oil, so if it is low, it is leaking.
Adding refrigerant treats the symptom while the compressor runs short of the oil that circulates with it. Worse, most of those cans contain sealant, which contaminates the system and can turn a straightforward leak repair into a full replacement.
When to bring it in
- Cooling that has faded gradually over a season — that is a leak
- Cold at speed, warm at idle — usually condenser airflow or a cooling fan
- Fan that only works on the highest setting — a blower resistor or final stage unit
- One side hot, one side cold — a blend door actuator rather than the A/C at all
See A/C repair, or call (561) 392-1910.