During the high heat of summer, we most often rely heavily on the comfort of a cool breeze blown from an air conditioner. However, if you want your HVAC system to function efficiently, you must make sure that all of its specific parts functions properly. The air conditioning compressors are certainly no exception due to the fact that they are the core unit of an effective air conditioner.
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF AC COMPRESSORS?
The AC compressor’s are solely responsible for the heat-transfer functions that brings the cooled and conditioned air into the different rooms of your house. It’s the device that pumps refrigerant throughout the unit thereby enhancing the production of cool air. If your compressor is faulty, an immediate hiring of a professional assistance is absolutely a must. The AC Compressors are basically the center points of all cooling systems.
THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A BAD AC COMPRESSOR
The faults of the AC compressors are most often easy to detect. If there’s a problem with your compressor, it’s most likely you experience one or more of the undermentioned issues:
- LOW REFRIGERANT
The refrigerant which is known as Freon is an essential part in your AC unit’s cooling process. Freon is a chemical that chills the air that would be transfer to the AC Compressor for circulation throughout the home. To summarize it all, if the refrigerant is low, your home won’t be cool.
Most often, low refrigerant is caused by a leaking Freon somewhere within the system. However, re-filling with a new liquid may solve the problem for a while, but it will eventually become low again. Therefore, the best way to follow is by locating the leak and repair it right away.
- A TICKING NOISE
Furthermore, a noisy air conditioner is specifically a sign of a faulty AC compressor. Before this component would fail completely, it would first start with hard-starting, i.e struggling to turn on. Do you hear a ticking or a chattering sound when you first turn on your air conditioner? If so, the electrical relay switch that starts your compressor may be worn out. As it is with all other electrical components, fixing this is problem can only be done by an HVAC professional.
- A RUMBLING OR RATTLING NOISE
This is similar to the situation of the ticking noise above. However, a clicking noise when the AC starts could simply mean that the compressor motor base has failed thereby leading the motor. That’s why distributes cool air from the compressor to loose which certainly would make it to start thrashing around and inside the concealed area that houses it. Also, this problem may be dangerous later on. It’s recommended you contact an expert to deal with the loosed motors.
- MOISTURE LEAKS
Also, if you detect puddles or moisture within any section of your HVAC system, it could mean that refrigerant is leaking out of the compressor. This in turn threatening a potential health risks which may include; headaches, nausea, irritated eyes, cough, and lots more. However, if you allow this to continue, your AC system would completely stop working because the refrigerant might eventually dry up.
Furthermore, while the noises and chemical leaks are the easy ways to detect a forth coming AC system failure, other symptoms may include:
- DIMINISHED AIRFLOW
This is most often the first and hardest sign of a faulty compressor to detect which if not taken care of, will diminish the air flow from the AC vents. Because of this, less air will be coming out of your vents which will in turn reduce the cooling effect of your AC system.
- WARMER AIR
However, while some compressors might break to reduce air flow, others will have a different problem that allows them to continue distributing air. Unfortunately, the air produced will no longer be cool. Warm air coming out of your vents while your Air Conditioner is still on simply means that your compressor refrigerant low.
Lastly, if you’re are experiencing any of the aforementioned problems, it’s advised you seek repair service from a professional and reliable technician in Santa Barbara as soon as possible. Because the longer you wait, the worse your compressor problems could become.