Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Service: AC Repair
AC Age: 22 Years
Issue: AC stopped cooling
Diagnosis: Failed condenser fan motor
Total investment: $1,200
Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor
We were called out to a home in Scottsdale after the air conditioner stopped cooling. The home had a 22-year-old American Standard system, so the age of the equipment was definitely something we had to take into consideration. Typically in Scottsdale, they last between 10-20 years depending on how well they are maintained.
Instead of assuming the entire system needed to be replaced because of its age, we wanted to diagnose the immediate cause of the failure first to give the homeowner a clear answer.
During our inspection, we found that the condenser fan motor had failed. The motor bearings were shot and the fan was no longer able to operate properly.
The rest of the system was old, but the homeowner had a decision to make: replace the 22-year-old AC system now or repair the immediate problem and try to get some additional life out of it. We explained both options and let the homeowner decide which route made the most sense for him. He chose repair, which we were happy to do!
We started by shutting power off to the unit and disconnecting the old fan motor wiring inside the electrical cabinet. From there, we removed the fan guard and pulled the failed motor. The existing fan blade was still in good shape, so we removed it from the old motor and reused it to save some cost for the homeowner.
We installed an Evergreen universal condenser fan motor, which is a great option on an older, out-of-warranty system like this. It keeps the cost of the repair down compared to going back with an OEM motor while still giving the homeowner a reliable replacement.
After mounting the new motor, we reinstalled the fan blade, wired everything back up, and put the condenser back together. We turned the system on and confirmed the new fan motor was running properly and the system was cooling again.
When choosing an AC company in Scottsdale, we believe it’s important to work with someone who gives you multiple options instead of simply telling you that you have to replace an older system. Sometimes replacement makes the most sense, and other times a repair can buy you more time.
With a 22-year-old system, there’s no way to know exactly how much life it has left. In this case, the homeowner understood that and decided the repair made the most sense for him. The new fan motor got his AC cooling again, and when the time eventually comes for replacement, we’ll be happy to help him with that too!