A rooftop Air Conditioner has to do more than simply make cold air. The cabinet needs to sit correctly, water created during the Cooling process needs somewhere to go, and the blower has to move air through the system without restriction.
Fast Affordable Air recently inspected a rooftop package HVAC system in the Las Vegas area. The photos from this project show our technician checking the position of the cabinet with a level, opening the Air Conditioning system, inspecting the blower and evaporator section, and examining areas where moisture had been present.
This type of detailed inspection can be important in the Las Vegas climate. A Central Air Conditioning system may run for long periods during hot weather. Small problems with drainage, airflow, or the position of the equipment can become much bigger problems when the AC runs hour after hour.
Why the Position of a Rooftop AC Unit Matters
The first part of this project involved checking the rooftop unit with a professional spirit level.
A spirit level is the tool with the small bubble inside a liquid-filled window. When the bubble is positioned correctly between the markings, the technician can tell whether a surface is level.
The level was placed across different portions of the Air Conditioner cabinet. We did not rely on a single measurement. Checking more than one location helps show whether the entire unit is sitting properly on the rooftop installation.
This matters because an Air Conditioning system creates water while it cools the air. That water is called condensate. Condensate is simply moisture from the indoor air that turns into water when it touches the cold evaporator coil.
The water is supposed to collect in the proper drainage area and leave the system through the drain. If the equipment is positioned incorrectly, water may have a harder time reaching its intended drain point. Depending on the design of the unit, water can collect where it should not.
Checking the Cabinet for Signs of Moisture
After checking the position of the rooftop unit, the cabinet was inspected more closely.
One of the photos shows staining and discoloration along the lower sheet-metal section of the HVAC cabinet. Marks like these are worth investigating because they can show where moisture has traveled or collected over time.
This does not automatically mean a major component has failed. Sometimes the source may be related to drainage, debris, a dirty drain area, cabinet position, or another condition that changes the way water moves through the system.
Finding the source is more important than simply wiping away the water. If the cause remains, the same problem can return the next time the central AC operates for an extended period.
Opening the Rooftop Package Unit
The access panels were removed so the inside of the Heating and Cooling equipment could be inspected.
This rooftop system is a package unit. A package unit places several major heating and cooling components inside one cabinet instead of having a separate indoor furnace or air handler and an outdoor condenser.
Inside the cabinet, the photos show the blower assembly and the evaporator coil section.
The blower is basically a powerful fan. Its job is to pull air through the system and push conditioned air into the ductwork.
The evaporator coil is the cold coil that removes heat from the air. Moisture can also collect on this coil while the AC is running, which is why the condensate drainage system around this area is important.
Inspecting the Blower and Evaporator Section
With the panel removed, our technician had a clear view of the blower motor, blower housing, wiring, coil, and surrounding sheet metal.
This allows the technician to look for several conditions at the same time. The blower can be checked for obvious dirt or damage. Wiring can be visually inspected. The coil area can be examined for debris, moisture, and anything that could interfere with normal airflow or drainage.
Airflow simply means how easily air moves through the HVAC system. Good airflow helps the Central Cooling system carry heat away from the home and distribute cooled air to the rooms.
Restricted airflow can make an Air Conditioner work harder. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that reduced airflow can decrease cooling performance and increase the amount of energy the compressor must use.
Cleaning and Condensate Service
A wet/dry vacuum can also be seen on top of the rooftop unit during the service. This type of vacuum is useful during HVAC work because it can handle both dry debris and moisture.
During a condensate-related inspection, a technician may use this equipment for cleanup and to help remove water or debris from accessible drainage areas. Keeping the drain path clear helps the moisture produced by the Cooling system leave the equipment instead of remaining inside the cabinet.
Drainage problems are sometimes overlooked because the AC may continue producing cold air while water is beginning to collect in the wrong place. Catching the problem early may help reduce the chance of water damage, corrosion, odors, and unnecessary stress on other parts of the system.
How This Type of AC Repair Helps Comfort and Efficiency
A properly operating HVAC system depends on several small things working together.
Proper equipment position helps the cabinet and drainage system work as designed. A clean drainage path helps condensate leave the unit. A clean and unobstructed evaporator area supports airflow. A properly operating blower moves cooled air through the ducts and back into the home.
When these conditions are correct, the Air Conditioner has a better opportunity to cool the building without unnecessary operating time. That can help maintain more even indoor temperatures and reduce wasted electricity caused by a system struggling against preventable airflow or drainage problems.
Regular inspection is especially useful for rooftop units because many of their working parts are hidden inside the cabinet. A homeowner may notice a change in Cooling performance indoors without being able to see what is happening on the roof.
Fast Affordable Air provides AC repair in Las Vegas and works on rooftop and traditional Central Air Conditioning systems throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and surrounding areas of Clark County. Additional Heating and Cooling services are available through the company’s HVAC services section.
Project Summary
This rooftop Air Conditioning project included checking the position of the cabinet with a spirit level, inspecting visible signs of moisture, removing the access panels, examining the blower and evaporator section, and checking areas connected with airflow and condensate management.
The photographs show why a good AC inspection goes beyond looking at whether the system turns on. Cabinet position, water drainage, airflow, blower condition, and the evaporator section all work together to keep a Central Air Conditioner operating correctly during the Las Vegas cooling season.
