Do These Four Things To Prevent Your AC's Compressor From Failing
An air conditioner's compressor plays a big role in the unit's cooling efficiency. The compressor is responsible for pumping the refrigerant so that it can flow from the evaporator into the condenser and expansion valve before and back to the evaporator. This is what enables heat exchange, and by extension, your house's cooling, to take place. This is why you need to do all these four things to keep the compressor running efficiently at all times:
Plug Refrigerant Leaks
The compressor is designed to pump a certain level of refrigerant when it is running. If the refrigerant level falls too low, the compressor will go into overdrive to compensate for the low refrigerant level. Unfortunately, an overworked compressor soon overheats, and an overheated compressor will soon fail. Therefore, prevent refrigerant leaks and ensure that those leaks that do occur are promptly dealt with before they can deplete the refrigerant.
Keep the Coils Clean
Anything that overworks the compressor can cause its failure. As you probably know, the compressor works by first squeezing the refrigerant so that it can transform from a liquid to a gas. The compressor then pumps the refrigerant gas, which is now under high pressure, into the condenser coils where the heat exchange takes place, the gas cools, and reverts to its liquid form. However, when the coils are dirty, the heat exchange won't take place, and the compressor will keep on working in a bid to cool the house. Regular cleaning of the coils will prevent this problem.
Ensure the Suction Line is Intact
The suction line is responsible for channeling the refrigerant from the evaporator coil to the condenser coil. When the suction line is blocked, the compressor will need to work harder than usual to force the refrigerant through. This, again, means the compressor will be overworked, leading to overheating and failure. A common problem here is damage to the suction line that reduces its diameter, which effectively reduces the level of refrigerant it can carry.
Use a Surge Protector
The compressor has both electrical and mechanical parts, which means failure to either part can cause the compressor to malfunction. The electrical motor of the compressor, for example, can fail when it is subjected to higher electrical power than it is meant to handle. This can easily happen during a power surge. Fortunately, using a surge protector will protect your compressor from this type of damage.
Anytime your AC isn't running as efficiently as possible, call a technician to diagnose and fix the issue before it gets too serious. Don't forget that a malfunctioning AC also wastes energy. Contact a company like Washam Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning for more information and assistance.