The air conditioning system in our homes is very complex and is often hard to understand without the proper training and education. At Air Pros, we pride ourselves on the knowledge and expertise we accumulated over the decades of providing HVAC service to the Ft. Lauderdale community and its surrounding areas. We enjoy educating the public on various HVAC terms and parts, and in this article we will focus on AC compressors.
What is the role of a compressor and what are the reasons for AC compressor failure? These are the questions that we will answer down below.
What Is An AC Compressor?
The AC compressor is a very vital part of the air conditioning unit. Ft. Lauderdale AC repair techs often refer to it as the “heart” of the unit because without it, the AC will not be able to cool the air. Air conditioning compressors work by increasing the pressure of the refrigerant fluids. This increased pressure of the refrigerant fluids allows the unit to absorb the home’s warm air into the condenser (outdoor unit) where the air is cooled. Once the air is cooled, the AC compressor raises the pressure of the refrigerant fluids again to move the air back into the indoor unit and into the home.
Just like a human heart that pumps blood to the rest of the body, so does the AC compressor work to pump cool air throughout the home. When the unit is experiencing AC compressor failure, the home will not cool and repair will be required.
Reasons for AC Compressor Failure
Compressor failure can be very detrimental to the health of the entire AC unit. It is often the cause of poor maintenance or lack thereof. Check out the following common reasons for why you may be experiencing this problem.
Dirty Coils
As the air conditioner works to cool off your home, it is common for its coils to accumulate dust, grime, and mineral deposits. If the coils aren’t cleaned out on a timely basis, the AC compressor will not be able to push the hot air out of the unit. This will result in the AC compressor’s failure as a result of overheating.
Dirty coils are just one of the few factors that will hurt your AC performance. Read our blog to learn about some other things that hurt your AC’s efficiency.
Problems with Refrigerant Lines
Because the AC compressor works so closely with the refrigerant lines, any problems in these lines will cause potential AC compressor failure. Refrigerant lines can have a variety of problems ranging from too low or too high fluid levels or blocked lies.
When there isn’t enough refrigerant fluid, the AC compressor will not be able to work hard enough to remove the heat from your home. When there is too much of these fluids, your AC will work too hard and cause an excess of cool air in the home. This may lead to the unit freezing and to eventual, premature AC compressor failure.
Just like dirty coils, dirty refrigerant lines stop the AC from circulating the heat out of the unit. This leads to overheating of the unit and a system failure. Problems in the refrigerant lines are fairly common. Learn more about some of the common AC problems on your blog.
Poor Airflow
When there is a lack of airflow, the entire HVAC system will eventually fail. Poor airflow can be caused by a myriad of things. It can be as simple as clogged air filters, poorly maintained air ducts, low refrigerant levels, or dirty AC coils. Regardless of the cause, poor airflow will lead to the eventual AC compressor failure, requiring Ft. Lauderdale’s AC repair techs to replace the compressor.
Debris Stuck in the Outdoor Unit
Sometimes dirt and debris can get stuck inside the outdoor unit. If the debris is large enough, it will hurt the airflow of the unit and block the heat coming out of it. For this reason, it is important to ensure that the area surrounding your unit is clear of plants, shrubs, toys, and other items.
How To Prevent AC Compressor Failure
Have you noticed a common theme in the reasons for compressor failure in your HVAC unit? It is clear that a broken compressor is most commonly an issue of poor AC maintenance. The compressor is the heart of the AC, so its replacement is very expensive, so proper maintenance is vital. Learn how to extend the lifespan of your AC on our blog and be sure to schedule an AC maintenance visit soon!
Ft. Lauderdale AC Repair
Do you think you may have an issue with your AC compressor? Or is it time for that AC maintenance visit? Regardless of your AC concerns, Air Pros has the very best technicians to assist in home’s HVAC needs. Contact us today by calling (754) 240-9449.
