How do i check the health of my AC compressor
AC compressors are known as the “core” part of air conditioners. During the summer, it can maintain a comfortable and cool home by generating energy from the power. It can also move the refrigerant needed to transfer heat.
You will find the compressor in the exterior section of the air conditioner. They also play an “energy source” role in the cooling system. Due to the demand for AC units, the global market need for compressors has increased significantly as well.
The market size of AC compressors has risen from $25,941.3 million to $42,413.6 million back in 2023. During the whole forecast period, the overall sales accelerated at 5.0% CAGR. However, compressors can also face many issues or severe damage.
For such reasons, it’s important to check the health of my AC compressor and address such problems during the early stages. So, how to check the compressor’s health? Read through this content to find out!
How to Check the AC Compressor’s Health: 6 Ways to Try
Inspecting the state of the AC compressor is vital. It will tell you whether or not it’s encountering any issues. So, how can you check the compressor’s condition? Here are some of the methods to do so:
Check 1: Problems in the Starter Relay
Starter play is known as the transmission of power to the compressors from the capacitors. In other words, it’s the AC compressor’s powerhouse. When you start hearing noises from the compressor, it is mainly because of a faulty starter relay. This means you have to get this part replaced by a professional.
Check 2: Issues with the Circuit Breaker
Another way you can check the health of my AC compressor is by taking a circuit breaker. Problems in the circuit breaker occur because of a bad AC compressor. But it can also be tripped when you use multiple appliances together, such as the AC, television, washing machine and vacuum cleaner.
When an AC’s circuit breaker keeps on tripping, the AC has some issues. A hot switch means a severe problem. Contact an AC repair person immediately to get it resolved.
Check 3: Look for Leaks in the AC Unit
When you find an oily substance dribbling from the AC or notice leaks around the unit, it’s an indication of a poor AC compressor. If this sort of problem occurs when you’re utilizing the cooling system, you must contact the AC mechanic without any hesitation. Doing so will assist you in preventing severe problems or damage.
Check 4: Soiled AC Filters
When you don’t clean up or replace the filters when they are needed, they can overheat the compressor. The compressor will get badly affected when the AC filter contains dirt and debris. This can cause blockage in the air conditioner. You can easily remove the debris on your own or just get it done by a professional. That way, you can improve the health of the AC compressor and the unit.
Check 5: AC Unit Won’t Start
You know it’s time to check the health of my AC compressor when the unit doesn’t start. A bad relay, faulty wires or a strumbled circuit breaker can also prevent the AC from starting. You can easily rule out all these problems by removing the debris from the external unit, examining the circuit breaker, cleaning up the coils and changing the AC filters.
However, a dead/bad AC compressor can also prevent the cooling system from starting. You’re well aware that the compressor is the AC’s heart, and it’s not possible to cool the air without it. When it stops working, the air conditioner will shut down completely.
Check 6: The Lack of Cool Air
When the vents don’t blow out much cold air, it can indicate numerous problems, such as refrigerant leaks, blocked condensate lines or unclean air filters. Vents blowing warm air means there is something wrong with the compressor.
You can resolve all the other issues by replacing the filters, inspecting the condensate pipes and drain pans for blockage and cleaning the coils. But if these actions don’t fix the problem, the issue might be in the AC compressor, and it requires the assistance of a proficient AC repair person.
Useful Maintenance Tips for AC Compressors
Conducting regular servicing can keep the AC unit in great condition and also extend the life of the compressor. This section contains some helpful maintenance that you should opt for:
Tip 1: Get the Filters and Coils Cleaned
When you plan to check the health of my AC compressor, you should begin with the coils and filters. Grime and dirt can accumulate on the coils, which prevents them from working properly. This can make the AC compressor work much harder than before. As a homeowner, you should periodically clean the coils or contact a technician for the job.
You might change the air filters as they are important to the longevity of the AC’s compressor. Mucky filters reduce the airflow and put a lot of pressure on the compressor. How often you must change the air filters will depend on numerous factors. However, as the homeowner, you should change every 45 days to 90 days.
Tip 2: Do Landscaping in a Correct Manner
You should stop hitting the external unit of the AC with a weed wacker or a lawn mower. It can bend the unit’s metal bars and reduce the airflow. Try keeping the grass to 2 feet to 3 feet from the outdoor unit. Also, the twigs, leaves, and other things from the external unit should be removed to improve the airflow.
Tip 3: Keep Out Animals and Pets
There are some animals out there that like to mark the AC compressor. This can erode the aluminium fins. Rodents and birds also make shelters and nests inside the outside unit. So, you should keep it well-protected with a fence. But make sure it enables an excellent airflow and is also accessible for maintenance.
Tip 4: Inspect the Refrigerant Levels
If the cooling capacity drops, it’s important to get the refrigerant levels inspected by a technician. Low refrigerant levels make an AC compressor work much harder. It will also take time to blow out cool air to reach the fixed temperature of the thermostat.
Ending Words
An AC compressor might experience problems or get damaged due to various reasons. But if you’re thinking that I should check the health of my AC compressor will help you with the specific problem it’s facing, allowing you to address it before it gets worse. If you’re not able to fix the issue on your own, the skilled team at Smile HVAC can help. No matter how old your AC unit or the compressor is, we will inspect it thoroughly and provide practical solutions.
As experts in dealing with AC-related problems, we inhibit transparency and honesty with each of our customers. If you’re looking for an AC technician near your location, please don’t hesitate to connect with our team at (+1) 437-777-4555 right away.
