HVAC problems can be a real pain to diagnose. There are so many components involved in keeping your home cool that finding the source of the problem can be a struggle. One common area of failure is your AC compressor. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to help prevent costly AC repairs.
If you want to know more about what your AC compressor does and how to prevent failures, read on!
If you are hunting for quality AC repair in Desoto, TX, Dial One is the team you need. We can diagnose and solve your HVAC problems in no time. Give us a call at 469-518-2809, or reach out online to schedule an appointment.
What an AC Compressor Does for Your HVAC System
Your AC compressor is a vital component of your HVAC system. Without it, cool air won’t flow. While compressors can stand up to a lot, they are often a common source of HVAC failures.
To understand what an AC compressor does, you need first to understand how your AC cools air. This subject is pretty dense, and HVAC professionals must undergo years of training to master this knowledge.
To give you a quick overview, here are some key points:
- AC units use refrigerants to cool air
- AC compressors pressurize the refrigerant
- Compression causes a thermodynamic change in the refrigerant
The evaporator coils utilize this shift in temperature. Here, the air is pushed over the chilled refrigerant in the coils causing the air to cool down. Once the refrigerant has done its job, it needs to come down in temperature again. This happens at the condenser coils.
Now is when the AC compressor comes into play. It pressurizes the warm refrigerant causing the now vaporous medium to change back into a liquid. This rapidly cools the refrigerant back down again.
Without your AC compressor, your refrigerant would not cool down. When your compressor fails at cooling down your refrigerant, the air coming from the registers will be humid and warm.
Your local HVAC technicians should handle AC compressor failures. Not only are refrigerants hazardous to work with, but a mistake can end up costing you down the line.
If you are looking for affordable Desoto air conditioning repair, make sure to reach out to the folks at Dial One. Whether you need emergency repair services or regular maintenance, Dial One’s HVAC professionals are here to take care of the job.
Common Problems that Cause AC Compressor Failure
Manufacturers build AC compressors to last. They have a pretty important job to do and need regular maintenance for proper operation. Before things start to fail, there are some common areas to pay attention to if you want to get the most out of your unit.
To help stretch your AC compressor’s lifespan, we have identified some common problems you should know about. Monitoring these, along with other proper HVAC maintenance, can help your AC compressor last for years.
This means maintaining your air filters and other easy to accomplish maintenance tasks. Here are some other areas to watch.
Blocked Suction Lines
Diagnosing a blocked suction line can be tricky, even for an HVAC professional. When a refrigerant line has a clog, it can cause pressure to build up in your system.
While pressure is essential to the operation of your AC unit, too much can cause damage. When a block jams up your refrigerant suction line, it means your AC compressor is going to have to do double-duty to push the liquid through the line.
Much like other compressor issues, a tell-tale sign of a clogged line is a poorly performing cooling system. If you think a clogged suction line might be the issue, contact your local HVAC technician.
Dirty Condenser Coils
Over time, every HVAC system will start accumulating dust and grime. It’s essential to tackle these issues quickly before they develop into something more serious.
One area you need to focus on is your condenser coils. We already learned that your condenser coils work in conjunction with your AC compressor to help chill the refrigerant. Dirty coils can prevent proper heat expulsion.
The harder it is to disperse heat, the harder your compressor will have to work to get that refrigerant cool. Overworked components will fail faster, leaving you in a hot home.
Add checking the condenser coils to your regular HVAC maintenance checklist. You may need a special coil brush to clean this area properly, but cleaning is a breeze once you have the equipment.
Refrigerant Issues
Sometimes, refrigerant can leak out of your system. This could happen when there is a crack in your lines or a loose fitting that leaks. Once refrigerants start to leak, the effectiveness of your unit will start to decrease.
You’ll start to notice this problem right away. When you check the thermostat, you’ll see that you have the AC on, but no cool air is coming out.
If you put off fixing this problem, it might result in your system overheating. This can cause some serious damage to the components of your cooling system. Eventually, overheating will cause your AC compressor to fail, sending you to find a Desoto air repair service as fast as you can.
Lubricant Levels
Lubricant is an essential part of keeping your AC compressor running. If the heart of your system is the compressor, then the lubricant is the blood that keeps it working.
If your lubricant levels are inadequate, it means your AC compressor isn’t working correctly. If left untreated, it will most likely cause your compressor to fail. Proper maintenance is the key to keeping up with lubricant levels. Make sure that you check your compressor to keep things on track.
Finding AC Repair in Desoto, TX
If your AC compressor is on the fritz, you need to find reliable AC repair in Desoto TX. Whatever your HVAC needs, Dial One can tackle the problem quickly and at a fair price.
Get in contact online to talk with a team member today to schedule your next appointment.
Author Bio:
Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock
Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating is now owned and operated by Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock, with his grandson, Daniel Johnson, a third-generation plumber who is also the Service Manager.