You don’t think about them when they are working properly and cooling your home and business, keeping you comfortable on the hottest of summer days.
But, then it happens: Your unit breaks down and suddenly the interior temperature of your home or business rivals that of the outside, leaving you wondering exactly what’s going on with your air conditioner.
One of the most common causes of a malfunctioning air conditioner is a failing compressor. And this is something you simply can not afford to ignore or ride out until the return of cooler weather in the fall and winter, for both financial and health reasons.
What exactly is an ac compressor? It is the part of the air conditioning unit that transforms the refrigerant chemicals from liquid to gas and back to liquid in a never ending cycle that produces cold air.
Signs of a failing ac compressor
Never fear. Your air conditioner’s compressor will not fail on you without warning. Here are some signs of potential compressor failure:
Just before it fails, compressor will begin hard-starting or struggling to switch on. You may hear a chattering or rattling noise, which could be signaling a problem with the unit’s compressor.
If you notice a clicking sound when the unit turns on, that could mean that the compressor’s motor mounts have worn out. When that happens, the motor that cool air from inside the compressor has become loose and is moving round inside the seal case that encloses it.
Puddles or moisture around any part of your ac unit could also be a symptom of compressor failure. Refrigerant could be leaking out of the compressor and that could lead to potential health concerns such as coughs, headaches, irritated eyes and nausea. If all the refrigerant leaks out, it could cause the unit to overheat.
More subtle signs of ac compressor failure include reduced air coming from vents; warm air coming from vents; and a unit that is running virtually constantly. All of which will lead to an increased power bill if the compressor is not repaired.
The heart of your ac unit is the compressor, which contains both chemical and electrical components. When functioning properly, you won’t even notice that it is doing its job.
But if its not and you are ready to get it fixed, call us at 408-295-2182.