What could cause a refrigeration system to experience both high pressure and low cooling performance?

A dirty condenser or airflow issues can lead to both high pressure and low cooling performance in a refrigeration system due to the role of the condenser in rejecting heat. When the condenser is obstructed by dirt or debris, or when there are airflow issues (such as blocked air filters or insufficient airflow across the coils), it becomes less efficient at transferring heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding air. As the refrigerant can't adequately lose heat, pressure in the system increases, leading to elevated pressures in both the high and low sides of the system.

At the same time, because the heat exchange process is compromised, the overall cooling performance drops. The system struggles to maintain the desired temperature inside the refrigerated space, resulting in poor cooling efficiency. Therefore, a dirty condenser or airflow issues create a situation where high pressure correlates with low cooling output, underscoring the importance of maintaining clean condenser coils and ensuring proper airflow for optimal refrigeration performance.