Air Compressor Maintenance Tips 

Learn about Compressor Maintenance. Get expert advice for extended cooling system life and uninterrupted home comfort.

Check For Refrigerant Leaks Taking proper care of your AC is crucial to ensure it runs efficiently and lasts for a long time. Just like taking care of your body with regular exercise and healthy eating habits, routine maintenance can prevent wear and tear and keep your AC system functioning effectively. Neglecting to maintain your AC can lead to compressor failure, which can result in the need to purchase a new air conditioning system. 

Fortunately, AC maintenance is affordable and simple compared to the cost and hassle of repairing a broken system. Even if your AC appears to be functioning well, it still requires routine maintenance to prevent malfunctions that can be easily avoided. By following the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance, such as regularly changing air filters, cleaning coils, and inspecting the ductwork, you can help ensure that your AC system stays in good working condition and avoid costly repairs or replacement

 

AC Compressor Failure

Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant, a chemical that removes heat from your room and circulates through a continuous cycle. The compressor serves as the starting point of this cycle, compressing the refrigerant to help it more effectively absorb heat. 

As a crucial component of your AC system, the compressor contains numerous moving parts and can be quite costly to repair or replace. If the compressor fails, you may even need to replace the entire air conditioning unit. This is why Compressor Maintenance is so important.

Unfortunately, compressor failure often results from stress caused by issues in other areas of the AC system. To keep your compressor in good condition and avoid costly repairs, it’s crucial to address potential issues in these areas. For example, regular maintenance tasks like cleaning the evaporator coils, inspecting the air filter, and ensuring the electrical connections are secure can help prevent problems that could lead to compressor failure. By staying on top of maintenance tasks and promptly addressing any issues that arise, you can help ensure the long-term health and efficiency of your air conditioning system. To properly maintain the condition of your AC compressor, an HVAC expert should frequently examine or address these 8 areas: 

Check For Refrigerant Leaks

If you’ve noticed that your air conditioner is gradually losing cooling capacity, it could be a sign of a refrigerant leak. It’s important to address this issue promptly, not only because it can be costly and inconvenient, but also because refrigerant leaks can have environmental and safety implications that require legal repair.

One consequence of a refrigerant leak is compressor failure. When there is not enough refrigerant in the system, the AC has to work harder to cool your home, putting greater stress on the compressor. This can lead to premature wear and tear and eventual breakdown.

To avoid further damage to your AC and the expense of a compressor replacement, it’s important to have a qualified specialist locate and repair the leak as soon as possible. They will have the necessary expertise and equipment to safely and effectively fix the problem. Compressor Maintenance can help prevent leaks!

Get Proper Replacement Parts

Using incorrect or inappropriate parts during an AC repair can put excessive stress on the system and lead to compressor failure. That’s why it’s crucial to have your air conditioner repaired correctly the first time around. A poorly repaired AC can cause problems down the line and result in repeat repairs, which can be both costly and inconvenient. Therefore, it’s recommended to hire a professional technician who has experience working on your specific AC model and is skilled enough to diagnose and fix the issue properly. This will not only prevent any further damage to your system but also save you money in the long run.

Make Sure Suction Lines Are Clear

For an air conditioner to function properly, the compressor needs to operate under specific pressure conditions. However, if the suction lines of the AC system become clogged or damaged, the compressor may be subjected to excessive pressure, causing the temperature to rise. When the compressor overheats, it can lead to failure, making it critical to maintain proper suction line functionality. Neglecting to do so can result in costly repairs or replacement of the entire system.

Avoid Contamination

Air conditioning units are often located in areas that are difficult to access, such as attics, crawl spaces, and the outdoors. As a result, cleaning them can be a challenge. Unfortunately, these areas tend to be the least clean in a building, making it even more important to keep your AC unit well-maintained.

Neglecting to clean an AC’s drain pipes and pans can lead to contamination by a variety of pollutants, including dust, mold, volatile organic compounds, car exhaust, insect droppings, and chemicals. These pollutants can pose health risks and reduce the efficiency of your AC system.

A buildup of dirt can cause the system to work harder, potentially leading to compressor failure. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to have your AC unit regularly cleaned by a professional who can remove any contaminants and ensure that your system is functioning properly.

Inspect Wiring

Your air conditioning unit relies on electricity to power its fans, compressor, and refrigerant system. If there is an electrical failure in your HVAC system, it can lead to an acid buildup inside the unit.

This acidic environment can cause multiple components of your air conditioner to deteriorate, including the crucial compressor. Fortunately, during a routine maintenance inspection, a technician can identify if there are any acids present in your AC unit.

Regular inspections include identifying faulty wires and fuses and repairing them before they cause further damage or compressor failure. Investing in the maintenance of your wiring now can lead to long-term time and financial savings.

Keep Your AC Well Oiled

The compressor is one of the most important components of your air conditioner and relies on an adequate supply of oil lubricant to keep it running smoothly. Without sufficient lubrication, the compressor may fail and result in expensive repairs. Therefore, it’s crucial to have the oil lubricant replaced correctly to avoid issues like compressor failure.

Just like repairing a refrigerant leak, proper oil lubricant replacement requires the expertise of a reliable professional. With their knowledge and experience, they can ensure that the oil is replaced accurately, preventing any potential damage to the compressor or other AC components. By investing in quality maintenance services, you can extend the lifespan of your air conditioner and avoid costly repairs down the line.

Clean Your Coils

Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate on AC coils due to normal wear and tear. These buildups can impede the release of heat through the coils, affecting the overall efficiency of your air conditioner.

When the heat exchange in the coils is obstructed, the compressor has to work harder and run continuously to remove the heat. This leads to increased coil pressure and unnecessary stress on the compressor. To prevent compressor failure, it’s crucial to keep your coils clean. Regular coil cleaning should be included in your HVAC technician’s routine maintenance schedule.

Only Hire Certified Professionals

Refrigerant leaks are a delicate issue, and any mishandling during repair can lead to compressor failure. Adding incorrect refrigerant or too much refrigerant to the lines by an untrained repairman could damage the compressor. Therefore, it is essential to hire a skilled HVAC technician to ensure that your equipment is operating correctly.

An experienced technician will have the necessary training and expertise to diagnose and repair refrigerant leaks correctly. They will have the right tools and equipment to locate the source of the leak and repair it promptly. Furthermore, they will ensure that the correct refrigerant type and quantity are used to avoid any adverse effects on the compressor.

Hiring a skilled technician not only ensures that your AC system is in good hands but also helps you avoid unnecessary expenses in the long run. Proper maintenance and repair of refrigerant leaks will prevent compressor failure, which can be a costly and inconvenient issue to deal with. So, it’s always wise to invest in the services of a reliable HVAC technician to perform your Compressor Maintenance.