It is the middle of summer and your air conditioner is on the fritz. You notice that it is taking longer and longer to cool your home down, and when you finally hear the compressor kick on, it is much louder than usual. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to have your air conditioner compressor checked.
As an air conditioner ages, the compressor will often give signs that it is beginning to fail. It is important for homeowners to be aware of these signs, as they may need to replace the compressor before it fails completely, resulting in a costly and time-consuming repair.
If you suspect that your air conditioner is in need of repair or you want to learn more about how you can prevent air conditioner repairs or breakdown, contact the St. Louis heating and cooling experts at Galmiche & Sons today.
What Does the Air Conditioner Compressor Do?
The air conditioner compressor is a vital component of your AC system, and it is responsible for pressurizing the refrigerant and circulating it throughout the system. The compressor is driven by a belt connected to the engine, and it uses a series of valves to compress the refrigerant.
The compressor needs to be properly maintained in order to keep your air conditioner running efficiently. If the compressor fails, the entire system will very likely need to be replaced.
Five Signs of a Dying Air Conditioner Compressor
Here are the five signs of a dying air conditioning compressor:
- Your air conditioner compressor is making unusual noises: If your compressor is making a loud rattling, grinding, or clicking noise, this could be an indication that a piece has broken inside it. If it is more of a grinding noise, the compressor bearings might need to be replaced. Another important sign of a dying air conditioner compressor is a visibly vibrating condenser.
- The refrigerant lines are frozen: Another sign that something isn’t right with your AC compressor is frozen refrigerant lines. These run between the condenser and the evaporator coils and are located in your outside AC unit where the fan blows across them to cool them down even more. If they are frosted over, there could be an issue with airflow in or out of the system or there could be low refrigerant levels.
- The air conditioner compressor is overheating: If your compressor overheats, it could cause frequent circuit breaks and if unaddressed, can damage the unit. Common causes of compressor overheating can include:
- Dirty condenser coils
- Faulty condenser fan
- Insufficient refrigerant
- Poor insulation
- Aged compressor
- The compressor is cycling on and off: If your compressor is constantly cycling on and off, this could be an indication that it is not working properly. It could be overworking itself in an attempt to cool your home, which will eventually lead to failure. If you notice this happening, have your compressor checked out as soon as possible.
- Your home is not cool: This is perhaps the most obvious sign that something is wrong with your AC compressor. If your home isn’t staying cool as it should, there is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed.
Call a St. Louis HVAC Professional for Your AC Compressor Repair
If you are seeing any signs of a dying air conditioner compressor, it is time to contact a professional. Do not wait until the compressor fails completely, as this can cause extensive damage to your unit and lead to a costly repair bill.
As the leading air conditioner service professionals in St. Louis, Galmiche & Sons can help you get your air conditioner back up and running quickly and efficiently. Contact our heating and air conditioning experts today to schedule your service appointment.
