»  Air conditioner compressor: a peek inside your AC unit Although most of us are familiar with air conditioners and how to operate them, a good fraction of users have never had a chance of peeking inside an AC unit. At the heart of every air conditioner is a compressor that enables the system to maintain temperature within a desired level. So, what is the specific role of the compressor of your air conditioner? An air conditioner uses a refrigerant to gather heat from the air in your room. To circulate the refrigerant, a mechanism is required. The air conditioner compressor is the engine that ensures that the refrigerant is circulated under pressure to all the ducts of your air cooling system. This process involves transforming the state of the refrigerant in a continuous cycle. How does an air conditioner compressor work? When cool refrigerant at low pressure flows into the compressor, it is squeezed at high pressure. This process increases its temperature and energy .

By the time the refrigerant leaves the compressor, it is hot and at high pressure. From the compressor, the compressed gas flows to the condenser. Most air conditioner condensers have metal fins to allow fast heat dissipation. In the condenser, the working fluid dissipates most of its heat. Its temperature goes down and it changes state from liquid to gas. From the condenser, the high-pressure gas flows to the evaporator coil where it helps to cool the air in your room. In the case of central air cooling systems, the compressor and the condenser are located outside the house. In case your air cooling unit is running but it is not cooling the air in your room, chances are high that the compressor has a problem. To ensure that the compressor of your air conditioner is performing optimally, you should keep it clean from debris, leaves, grass clippings, and so on. If your air conditioner compressor has stopped working, you should contact a professional. After analyzing the problem, the professional should advise you on the best thing to do.

If the compressor is faulty, the first thing to do is to remove the refrigerant. After that, remove the compressor together with the orifice tube, receiver drier and expansion valve. Before installing a new parts, you should flush the entire system to remove all foreign materials. When all parts are clean, install the new compressor, orifice tube, and receiver drier. After replacing the faulty compressor, recharge the system and ensure that it is not leaking. split system air conditioners costIf the system is not leaking, check to ensure that it is operating as expected. replace a central air conditioning unitIt is recommended to turn the system on periodically. air conditioning unit running but not cooling house

This helps to prevent leaky seals and keeps the system lubricated.How do you know when the AC compressor is bad? One major sign that an AC compressor has gone bad and needs replacement is when the air conditioner is blowing out warm air. The AC compressor allows the air conditioner to produce cool air by pumping refrigerant throughout the unit, so when it stops working, the air coming out of the vents is just recycled from outside. How can you troubleshoot a Tempstar air conditioner? What are the important parts of an air conditioner? How much does replacing an air conditioner compressor typically cost? There are a few ways to test the effectiveness of the AC compressor and troubleshoot any possible problems. First, turn the thermostat down to a very low temperature to see if the unit will start on its own. If the unit located outside does kick in, listen to it to determine if its sound has changed. If the fan is the only sound, there is likely a problem with the air compressor.

To fix the issue, turn off the air conditioner's circuit breaker, wait a few minutes and turn it back on. Next, check the service unit outside to make sure that it's on. If this still doesn't fix the problem, check the fan and the AC compressor condensing coil to make sure that there are no obstructions preventing them from working properly. If the unit is clear and resetting the circuit doesn't work, the AC compressor may need a complete replacement. What does it cost to repair a home AC compressor? As of 2015, the average cost to repair an air conditioner with a failed compressor is $1,500 to $2,400. Many variables affect the total, with the size of t... What is a ductless mini-split air conditioner? A ductless mini-split air conditioner, often called a "mini-split AC," provides cool air through an outdoor compressor and condenser joined to multiple ind... How do you replace freon in an air conditioner? To replace the freon in an air conditioner, find the compressor, connect the service and tap valves, turn the air conditioner on to high, and connect the r...

How do you install a window AC in a sliding window? What are the benefits of a kerosene heater? How do you insulate a fireplace insert? What are some humidifiers with good ratings? How do you light a Coleman furnace?There are any number of issues that can cause your air conditioner to stop working. Luckily, they’re not all expensive fixes. The problem could be just a loose wire that’s caused a power failure in your air conditioner. Or you could have a clogged air filter that’s impeding the air flow to the system.On the other hand, when AC compressor failure causes your system to breakdown, you have a major AC emergency service problem and a big expense on your hands. The compressor is a vital and expensive component, and when it goes you may find yourself dropping a lot of cash on a new AC unit.The good news is, as much as 80 percent of the causes of AC compressor failure are preventable if the problems leading to the failure are corrected in a timely manner.

These problems can be detected and eliminated during regular AC preventative maintenance.Related Article: 8 Ways AC Preventative Maintenance Keeps the Repairman Away.Your air conditioner’s compressor is often called the heart of the system. This is a good analogy for a few reasons:Now that you understand why it’s so critical to keep your compressor in good shape, let’s take a look at some of the things that can cause AC compressor failure and what you can do to avoid them.When AC compressor failure happens, it’s often due to an underlying issue that causes stress on the system. That’s important to know for two reasons:These are the common issues that cause AC compressor failure:When dust, grime and mineral scales build up on the condenser coil, the air conditioner can’t expel enough heat from the system and it’s forced to run constantly trying to cool your space. The increased pressure and temperature can cause the compressor to overheat and fail.When your air conditioner’s refrigerant lines become blocked or damaged, the first thing you’ll notice is that the unit is not cooling as effectively.

If the problem is not fixed, once again the increased pressure and temperature cause overheating and AC compressor failure.If your system’s refrigerant lines develop holes or cracks, the air conditioner leaks refrigerant. After a while, the level becomes so low that the compressor has to work harder to pump enough refrigerant through the system to cool your space. The strain can eventually cause the compressor to break down.If your refrigerant line develops leaks and needs to be replaced, make sure you get an experienced AC technician to do the job. A line that’s too large or too small for your system can cause premature AC compressor failure.If a less-than-qualified person works on your air conditioner and inadvertently adds too much refrigerant, or even the wrong type of refrigerant, it can be a deadly mistake for the compressor.An electrical failure can result in a buildup of acids that cause a great deal of damage to other parts in addition to the compressor. If you have a failed compressor, make sure the technician tests for the presence of these acids.

If he finds them, an electrical burnout has caused damage throughout the system that is probably not worth fixing.But electrical problems are often easily preventable when an experienced tech inspects your system: he can spot and repair damaged wiring, fuses and contractors before they take down your system and cause AC compressor failure.Related Article: A Guide to the Top 3 Power Related Air Conditioner Problems.The high heat and pressure in an air conditioning system, not to mention the locations where they are typically housed in New York City (outdoors, on rooftops, in crawl spaces) can introduce any number of contaminants that can cause damage. These include air, moisture, dirt, debris, leaves, soot, acids, and even bird and pest droppings.Related Article: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: How To Keep Your HVAC System Contaminant Free.To take the heart comparison a step further, think of your air conditioner’s oil lubricant like the blood in your body. If there’s not enough, the system can’t work properly and all kinds of problems can result, including AC compressor failure.

When your system is regularly maintained by a trained AC professional, he will check the lubricant levels and the condition of the oil pump to prevent this problem.When you take good care of your compressor, it will take good care of the air in your space with consistent, reliable cooling. That means having your air conditioning system serviced at least twice a year by a reputable AC service company. Make sure you choose a service provider with knowledgeable, experienced technicians with MSCA or NATE certification. That way you’ll know that they have the expertise to spot and prevent the problems that can cause AC compressor failure.Did you know that you’ll get the best deal on AC preventative maintenance when you invest in a yearly service contract? You’ll also get a maintenance plan that’s designed specifically for your needs and your budget. Want to learn more? Take a look at our free guide, HVAC Preventative Maintenance Contracts: How to Find the Right One for Your HVAC Infrastructure.