Blog

What Causes AC Compressor Failure?

What Causes AC Compressor Failure?

What Causes AC Compressor Failure?

Your air conditioning system comprises of several different components. However, most of the work in the AC is done by three main components: the evaporator, the condenser and the compressor. All three components are important for the proper functioning of the air conditioning system but since it pressurizes the system’s refrigerant, the compressor is the component that need to be inspected and maintained the most. This is something an air conditioning service in McKinney, TX can help you with.

Considerable work is performed by compressors and if they are subjected to a great pressure day in and day out, they can develop problems and may require repair. This is especially true for compressors that aren’t inspected and maintained regularly by an air conditioning service in McKinney, TX. Also, if your AC’s compressor develops any problems, get it checked and repaired by a service that performs air conditioner repair in McKinney, TX rather than handling the problem yourself. So, what are the problems that can put your AC’s compressor at risk? Following are the 7 most common causes of compressor failure in McKinney, TX.

Causes of Air Conditioner Compressor Failure

Dirty Coils

The AC is unable to discharge adequate heat from the system and is on a constant mission to try and cool your space if there’s a buildup of mineral, grime and dust on the condenser oil. The compressor can overheat and fail due to this increase in temperature and pressure.

Motor Problems

Overloading or overheating of the AC’s compressor can cause it to fail. Generally, an electrical fault within the appliance is the reason for this. However, to be sure, find the motor and check the reset button on it. If there is an electrical fault or problem with the motor, the reset button will pop out. Now, several different things can cause the compressor motor to develop problems including taking in liquid refrigerant, overheating and lack of lubrication. Operational problems, issues with the compressor’s motor can cause problems with the entire air conditioning system—leading to complete failure of the system. For this reason, having the compressor’s motor inspected and maintained by a service that performs air conditioning repair in McKinney, TX is important.

Clogged Suction Lines

The compressor is responsible for pumping the refrigerant through the system. Your unit will not cool as effectively as it normally does if the refrigerant lines of your AC are clogged or damaged. This leads to an increase in the pressure within the unit. Ultimately, this lead to increased temperature and failure of the AC compressor. For this service, you should get your AC compressor checked and fixed by an air conditioning service in McKinney, TX as soon as you notice that your system is not cooling as normal.

Low Refrigerant

As seen above, the refrigerant is important for the proper functioning of the compressor. The refrigerant leaks via a hole if there are holes or cracks in your system’s refrigerant lines and this causes low refrigerant in your AC. Low levels of refrigerant in the AC cause the system’ s compressor to work harder than normal to pump adequate refrigerant through the system to keep you space cool. Eventually, this causes the compressor to fail. So, if you suspect a refrigerant leak in your AC, get it checked and fixed by a service that performs air conditioner repair in McKinney, TX right away.

Excess Refrigerant

A deadly injustice that you can do with your compressor is getting an amateur to work on your AC and having him add excess refrigerant to the system. Sooner or later, you’re are going to have an AC compressor failure if there is excess refrigerant in your system. The compressor has to work harder when there is excess refrigerant inside the system and this ultimately causes the compressor to fail and the system to break down. This is the reason always having your system inspected and refrigerant filled by a professional air conditioning service in McKinney, TX is important.

Electrical Problems

As it can cause acid buildup within the system, an electrical failure can damage many different components of your AC including the compressor. If your compressor breaks down, make sure to have it checked for the presence of acids by an air conditioning service in McKinney, TX. An electrical problem in the system has probably caused damage to the AC’s components if the professionals find the presence of acids in the unit.

Generally, there are two areas of the compressor where electrical problems can develop—the wiring and the capacitor. Not an unusual occurrence, fraying or corroding of the wiring can affect the flow of electricity within the system and the compressor’s operation. Though they are not common as the above problem, issues with the capacitor can develop. There are two capacitors within an AC’s compressor. If any of them fails, your compressor can malfunction.

However, the good news is that you can prevent electrical problems within your AC by having it inspected and maintained by a service that performs air conditioning repair in McKinney, TX. In addition to keeping your wiring in optimal condition, the professional can identify and fix any damaged wiring, contractors and fuses that may lead to compressor failure.

Inadequate Lubricant

Just like the blood in your body keeps you alive, the lubricant in the compressor keeps your air conditioning system functional. The system has to work harder and it ultimately fails if there isn’t adequate lubricant in it. To ensure proper function of the compressor, lubricating it adequately is important. If the compressor is lubricated improperly or inadequately, it will fail to cause complete breakdown of your system. So, do the sensible thing and have the compressor lubricated by an air conditioning service in McKinney, TX.

There you have—the 7 most common causes of AC compressor failure in McKinney, TX. If you’re faced with any of the above problems then get in touch with K&S Heating and Air in McKinney, TX right away.