Where is your AC compressor located?

The compressor is one of the most important parts of your air conditioning unit, and you need to make sure you have the right AC repair team working on it. Not only does the compressor play an important role in the cooling process, but it also ensures that the unit works effectively and continually. To understand how your Baltimore, Maryland, air conditioner compressor works, you should know about its location, function, maintenance, and repair needs. Once you do, you'll understand the connection between your air conditioner's compressor and regular HVAC system maintenance.

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Compressor Location

The compressor can be found in the outdoor air conditioning unit, at the rear or on the side of your home. Other important parts within the outdoor unit include the condenser, condenser coil, and fan.

The outdoor unit connects to the indoor part of your air conditioning system through a copper refrigerant tube. Once connected, these two parts work together to absorb hot air from inside your home and transform it into cool air.

Compressor Function

To understand how the compressor works, think about the cooling process for a split-system central air conditioner. The air conditioner pulls heat out of the air in your home, cools it over a set of cold pipes (an evaporator coil), and releases the cool air into your home. The evaporator coil remains cold thanks to a liquid refrigerant that absorbs hot air and changes it to gas. This gas is then transported outside to the condenser coil where the gas again becomes a liquid. From this point, the cycle continues.

How does the compressor fit into the picture? The compressor is responsible for moving the refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser coils, ensuring that the refrigerant changes to gas or liquid as needed. You can think of the compressor as the heart of the air conditioning system and the refrigerant as the blood. To this end, the compressor pumps the refrigerant through the system to keep it alive and running properly.

Compressor Maintenance

Maintaining the compressor is crucial for the overall functioning of the air conditioning unit. However, don't attempt to maintain this part yourself. During a service appointment, your HVAC technician will check the compressor for any obvious damage or failure. Your service tech may also check the compressor pads to make sure that the unit does not have any electrical problems which could affect the compressor.

Compressor Malfunction

The compressor has many moving parts and is easily susceptible to breaks. If the compressor malfunctions for any reason, the result could be noises coming from the unit, insufficient cooling, or hard starts.

• Noises coming from the unit: You may hear banging or clanking noises if a loose part is inside the compressor. Bubbling and hissing may indicate that the compressor has a refrigerant leak. Keep in mind that a brief noise at startup is often normal for compressors.
• Insufficient cooling: When the compressor is loose or worn, the air conditioning unit will not cool your home properly.
• Hard starting: If the compressor struggles to turn on or off, 'hard starting,' this problem could be the result of an electrical problem with the air conditioning unit.

Other consequences of a malfunctioning compressor include the outdoor unit running hot, the compressor burning out, and the air conditioning system not working at all. If you think you have a problem with your compressor, contact a Griffith Energy Services professional for help.

Compressor Repair

If your compressor malfunctions, your repair options may be limited. Always contact your HVAC technician for any repair decisions. Sometimes what appears to be a broken compressor may actually be a malfunction elsewhere in the unit. Ask your service tech for more information.

However, if the compressor is to blame, replacement may be your only option. Depending on the problem's severity and the system's age, you may need to replace your HVAC system entirely.

To keep your air conditioning system functioning properly, proper functioning of your air conditioning compressor is crucial. If you need air conditioning repair or maintenance on your compressor or any other part of your HVAC system, contact one of our helpful service professionals at Griffith Energy Services today at 888-474-.

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We're living in paradise in Florida, and we couldn't do it without air conditioners. When an AC system runs all day in this type of climate, it's inevitably going to break down or need service.

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Why is an AC compressor important?

Each part of the unit needs to be in top working order, and one component that sometimes requires attention is the air conditioner compressor. Without a compressor that's working as it should, you won't have the cool air you need to live comfortably.

Located in the outdoor portion of an air conditioning unit, the AC compressor is one of its most integral parts, and one of the most expensive to fix. The purpose of a compressor is to circulate the refrigerant needed for heat exchange through the coils of the indoor and outdoor air conditioning unit. It also applies the energy to the refrigerant. Despite what you may think, the compressor generates heat rather than cold air.

As you can expect in subtropical Florida, the AC system and compressor deal with continuous stress ' especially in summer ' and they'll wear down just like any other appliance. Dust, connector leaks, and drops in refrigerant charge could all put a halt to the cooling cycle. A faulty compressor motor can also be a problem.

Steps to fix an AC compressor

Diagnosing your air conditioning system can be a frustrating process and knowing what to look for can be a daunting challenge. With a little knowledge, you might be able to determine where the problem lies with your air conditioner's compressor. Consider the following steps to fix the AC compressor:

Disclaimer: Cool Today takes no responsibility for the information provided and highly recommends calling a professional.

1. Confirm that the AC system activates normally

2. Will the air conditioner turn on? Start by performing the simplest checks. Does the air conditioning system activate normally?

3. Check circuit breaker box switches

4. Does the air conditioning system have power? Check your circuit breaker next. Locate your circuit breaker box, this is usually found on the outside of the home. Does the circuit for the air conditioner have its switch in the correct place? If the circuits are not labeled, do any switches appear to be going in a different direction than the others?

5. Check the circuit breaker box for power to air conditioning

6. If you aren't getting power to your system, try flipping the breaker to the off position and back on again. Now try to turn on your air conditioning system.

7. Confirm the AC system is blowing cold air

8. When your air conditioner is turned on, does the system blow air out of the vents? Is the air cold or room temperature? If the air is cold, you may need to service something other than the AC compressor.

9. Locate the fuse box of the AC unit

10. Air conditioning units typically have a fuse box. Locate this mechanism along the power relay running to the unit. Does the fuse appear to be in good condition?

11. Remove all the refrigerant before removing the compressor.
12. Remove the receiver drier, orifice tube, and the expansion valve.
13. Flush all foreign materials from the AC system.
14. Install the new compressor, receiver drier, and orifice tube.

Air conditioning is important ' not just for year-round comfort in subtropical Florida, but also in preventing life-threatening conditions like heat stroke. To ensure your home doesn't veer into dangerous territory, having a properly functioning AC system is key. To prevent a situation where you're uncomfortable at home, have your system and AC compressor inspected and regularly maintained. You don't want to find yourself sweating and wondering what's wrong.

Sure, diagnosing your air conditioning system can save time and money versus calling your local HVAC professional. However, if the AC compressor needs to be replaced, or if there's another problem such as a bad capacitor or broken valve, don't overlook the help of an AC expert. Make a list of the problems you've been experiencing and the steps you've taken to check for solutions.

Cool Today's certified technicians are standing by to provide quick, reliable emergency AC repair services in Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando and Naples (view our full service area). Call us at 800-226- or schedule your repair online. Be sure to let us know about the troubleshooting you've done, and you'll be one step closer to fixing that AC compressor.

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