Happy February, everyone! As you know, the major holiday in February is Valentine’s day, and we wanted to celebrate that by taking a look at the heart of the central air system. We often identify the AC Compressor as the heart of an air system. But what is that? What does it do for your system? Let’s take a look at it in this blog!
What is the AC Compressor?
Your air conditioner’s compressor is a vital part of your unit. Its job is to give energy to the refrigerant in your system, allowing it to keep your home cool. Much like the human body, if the heart of your system fails, it can be a pretty dire situation. You’d consider this kind of failure an HVAC emergency as all other functions rely on the ability of the compressor to function correctly. Continuing with the body analogy, you can consider the thermostat the brain of the system and the refrigerant the blood circulating throughout.
3 Causes of AC Compressor Failure
Let’s look at three common reasons your AC compressor could fail. These are problems that you’ll want to work hard to avoid because if your compressor fails, your entire system will stop working.
- Dirty Coils – The reality of years of use is that your coils are likely to collect dust, dirt, and grime. However, when this happens, your system will be unable to expel heat. The system will CONSTANTLY run to try and cool your space. This constant running, temperature increase, and pressure can cause your compressor to break down.
- Contaminants – The location of your compressor matters because, in certain areas around your home, it may be exposed to pollutants. These contaminants can include air, water, dirt, leaves, and even bird droppings. Anything like this can cause damage to your compressor.
- Inadequate Refrigerant Charge – Your system needs to maintain the correct amount of refrigerant. With not enough refrigerant, your system will be working extra hard to try and get the refrigerant through the system. The above points show that this overworking can quickly lead to a failed compressor. One way to get low levels of refrigerant is due to a leak.
We talked a lot about your AC compressor and its importance to your system. We also talked about ways that it can fail. However, we want to reassure you that taking care of your compressor is simple. Just keep your unit well maintained. That’s all you need to do to maintain a healthy compressor. Regular maintenance and repairs will keep your system from suffering from compressor issues. Should you experience compressor issues, A/C Masters is there for you. We offer 24/7 emergency service to assist you with ANY HVAC needs (757) 847-5252.