3 Things That Can Cause Your Air Compressor To Fail
You may think you air conditioner system's sole job is to keep your family and belongings cool when temperatures are high in the summer months, but that is not its only role. Air conditioning is also an imperative part of removing humidity from your home, which prevents mold growth and health problems. Because of these tasks, it is important that your cooling works in an effective and efficient manner. Unfortunately, excessive use can cause the compressor to fail, preventing your system from creating and moving cooled air into the home. This important part of the system turns outdoor air into cooled air before moving it into the home. However, most homeowners do not understand how to ensure their air compressor remains in perfect working condition. By understanding these common causes of compressor failure, you will know when and if your air conditioning is in distress.
Coil Debris
Heavy amounts of dirt and dust can quickly build up on your condenser coils inside the compressor. In addition, grass clippings, leaves, pine straw, mulch, and other debris can clog the condenser coils. This debris will prevent the system from expelling heat, increasing the need to run your air conditioner continuously to try and cool the home. This excessive use will place too much wear and tear on your compressor, increasing your energy bills causing the system to overheat and fail.
Be sure to clean the condenser coils seasonally to prevent buildup. This will not only protect your air compressor and system's function, but it will also improve air flow and energy efficiency.
Low Refrigerant
One of the most common issues that prevents your air compressor from working is low refrigerant. Refrigerant is an imperative part of your system blowing cold air into the home. If you are low on refrigerant, you may feel warm air coming through the vents and your home may not be able to get or remain cool in the intense temperatures of summer. Your system will continue running in an attempt to cool your home, placing unnecessary stress on your compressor. Unfortunately, the additional stress will be pointless, since the system will not be producing cool air if refrigerant is low.
To prevent your compressor from failing due to ongoing use, contact a technician to measure your refrigerant levels. Your technician will need to add more refrigerant if your system is low. While shocking to learn, adding too much refrigerant to your system can also damage the air compressor. Be sure to use a licensed contractor who understands the importance of adding the correct type and amount of refrigerant.
Your contractor should also inspect your lines for signs of leaks. A large amount of refrigerant can leak from the smallest of cracks or fissures in your lines, so repairing these leaks is essential.
Electrical Issues
Electrical problems can also cause your air compressor to fail. However, these issues can also place your entire home at risk of a further electrical damage and even fire.
If your system seems to stutter or shake when powering on, you may have an electrical issue affecting the motor of your compressor. Also, faulty wiring and breaker issues can cause your air compressor to stop working. You may notice damage to wires and connections in your system. This damage may be due to acids leaking and burning in and around the system from an electrical problem. If not repaired, your entire air conditioning system may fail, but you may also notice severe damage to wiring that leads into your home.
Be sure to have a licensed electrician inspect and repair damage before repairing your home's heating and air.
Whether you're having AC installation done for the first time or you need to maintain an old system, with this guide, you will understand a few common issues that can cause your system's air compressor to fail.
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