Modern central air conditioning depends on an important element to provide its cooling effect: the compressor. Your AC compressor is a combination of mechanical components that generate and distribute cooled air to your home. This complex arrangement of moving parts is what allows the air conditioner to keep your home comfortable during the heat of summer, but it also creates a series of weak points where problems can occur. Left unchecked, these problems can compromise the efficacy of the cooling process.

In this article, we’ll look at a few of the most common signs of a bad AC compressor​ and how problems can quickly be addressed to ensure your system runs optimally when you need it the most.

Reduced Cooling Performance

Part of the job of an AC compressor is to circulate air throughout a building after it has passed over the evaporator coils of the system and cooled. If any part of the mechanism is faulty, however, the machinery may fail to produce the desired cooling effect. In extreme cases, warm air might flow from the vents in the home.

This is one of the easier signs of a bad AC compressor to recognize, because in most cases, you can simply place your hand in front of a vent and determine that the air is not properly cooled. There are, however, several possible reasons why the air might not be cooling, and you may need to contact your HVAC professional to determine which is the current problem.

For starters, it’s possible the underlying issue isn’t with the compressor at all. It could be because the air filters have become clogged and are simply stopping the flow of cool air. If you determine that poor airflow is the source of the issue, you may be able to clean or change the filters in your HVAC system yourself.

In other cases, however, a mechanical problem with the compressor may be the culprit. For example, a leak in refrigerant fluid can create a drop in pressure that prevents the coolant coils from effectively removing heat energy from the air. Damaged coils or other internal components may require the attention of a trained technician to restore the cooling ability of the system.

Unusual Noises

One sure sign of an issue with your AC compressor is an unusual noise coming from somewhere within the system. A loose screw, broken fan blade, or damaged piston can break free and begin to rattle around the interior of the compressor element, which may or may not create immediate problems with the performance of the AC unit.

Eventually, however, broken elements can create a cascade effect that leads to further damage and ultimately necessitates costly repairs or replacement. For this reason, any unusual sounds in your HVAC system should be immediately inspected. Switch off the system before opening it up to look for any broken parts and then check the compressor to see if you can identify the problem. Foreign materials should be removed, and broken elements should be brought to the attention of a trusted HVAC professional.

Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips

Air conditioning technology requires electricity, and it can draw a lot of power when it’s working at a high capacity. Modern systems are designed to reduce their reliance on electricity, but a faulty or outdated HVAC compressor can still place excessive strain on your home’s power grid.

For instance, if the system is running continuously without cycling off like it’s supposed to, it’ll likely drive up your monthly bills and may also trip the circuit breaker from the overload. When a breaker trips, it can cause other systems in the home to lose power too, which is the last thing most homeowners want.

If your AC unit is drawing more power than normal, to the point where it’s tripping the circuit breaker and creating other electrical problems, then it’s likely working harder than necessary. There are several possible causes for this problem that your technician may note:

• Poor insulation can cause cooled air to heat back up quickly or leak out of your home. Updating your insulation and keeping your home properly ventilated may be all you need to do to resolve the problem.
• Bad airflow, due to clogged filters or blocked ducts or vents, may also cause a spike in energy usage. Start by cleaning your filters and moving furniture away from vents. Duct cleaning can be performed by an HVAC technician.
• Electrical problems, such as faulty wiring, could be the source of this type of problem. This will need to be repaired by an HVAC professional.
• It’s possible your system is simply too old and run-down to operate effectively, which may be indicated by hard starting. In this case, upgrading your HVAC technology will help reduce your energy costs and enhance your air conditioner’s performance.

Who to Call When Your AC Compressor Isn’t Working

Many of the problems listed above can be largely avoided with a diligent, regular maintenance program. During this process, a technician works their way down a checklist that includes inspecting or cleaning the basic elements of the machinery, such as changing air filters or testing refrigerant levels. They also check the most common weak points, such as electrical connections and mechanical components, and make repairs if necessary.

Regular AC maintenance and repairs should be performed at least once a year by a qualified HVAC professional, such as All Weather Heating & Cooling. Furthermore, if your HVAC unit is showing signs of a bad AC compressor or is more than 15 to 20 years old, then it may be time to upgrade your system. The results can mean a more comfortable home, and thanks to new innovations in the field of home heating and cooling, you may discover the long-term cost savings are quite significant.