AC Compressor Failure

When Your AC Compressor Starts To Fail

This can quickly become a huge inconvenience. It isn’t just the ever-warming temperature that you have to worry about; now you have to find time out of your busy schedule to get it fixed. By understanding some of the causes, you may better understand the need for yearly maintenance!

You don’t have to go without air conditioning in Raleigh and surrounding areas for long! Remember these causes and symptoms below from Greer’s Heating and Air, and maybe together we can prevent your AC compressor damage from occurring.

First, here are some common reasons AC compressors stop working:

*Dirty Condensor Coil
* Blocked suction lines
* Low refrigerant charge
* Incorrect suction line size
* Too much refrigerant – yes too much
* Insufficient oil lubricant

Warning signs of a compressor failing are:

* Blowing warm air
* The breaker keeps tripping
* Making strange noises

If your AC Compressor stops running, most of the time you will need a qualified HVAC contractor to troubleshoot and make repairs. There are a couple of simple things you can check for before calling an HVAC professional:

1. Check for Tripped Breakers: Turn off the breaker for your air conditioning unit on and off in your service panel. This way if it did trip, you may have found the solution.
2. Thermostat Working:  Make sure the thermostat has fresh batteries. Inadvertent changes to the settings could also stop the air conditioner from running.
3. Is There A Buzzing Noise:  If the outdoor AC unit’s compressor starts buzzing but doesn’t turn on, the start capacitor may need to be replaced. This is a professional job as the capacitor stores high, potentially hazardous voltages. Call us.
4. Are You Hearing A Clicking:  If you hear a repeated clicking and the compressor fails to start, the relay may have gone bad. Again, this needs a professional to order and repair it.

Should I Repair or Replace It When It Fails?

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when deciding what to do next. The biggest one – is it still under warranty? The next is how old is the unit and what shape is it in overall. Is it worth spending the money on just a compressor? If your system has lasted 10 to 15 years and is out of warranty, you might want to seriously think about replacing the entire unit as other parts will probably start breaking down too.

Best Way to Prevent AC Failure

Greer’s Comfort Club: Members know that their heating and cooling system will receive a complete system tune-up twice a year, spring and fall, which will extend the life and efficiency of your system and catch anything going wrong before your unit shuts down. Give us a call to find out more about our Comfort Club Membership.