Homeowners Guide to AC Compressor Replacement

In Eastern countries, the year is governed by four seasons, based on the agricultural growing season. In Western countries, we tend to have only two seasons—the heating season and the cooling season. For all our dependence on heating and air conditioning, most people don’t know much about how it all works. Often, that leads to not knowing how to maintain this important system and it usually costs us money. Here are tips on when to know it is time for an AC Compressor Replacement.

Take a Little Gas Law

Remember that heat is caused by the movement of atoms or molecules, the faster the movement, the greater the temperature. A chemical in gas form moves freely and is warmer than the same chemical in a liquid or solid form. When you confine a gas in a structure, then compress the gas, the molecules increase their speed and continually bang against the sides of the container. Releasing the pressure reduces the temperature. Suddenly reducing the temperature causes the gas to cool very quickly.

Add a Little Gas Mechanics

The air conditioner system uses these principles to cool (or heat) your home. The compressor unit—the outdoor portion of your air conditioner—compresses a refrigerant gas outdoors, moves it indoors, and suddenly releases it in the evaporator coil. A fan moves hot air from inside across the evaporator coil. The gas has plenty of room to move, so it picks up the heat from the air, which cools the air. (The process also removes humidity from the air.) Hot (uncompressed) gas moves outdoors to a network of tubes and fins. A fan moves an incredible amount of cool air across the fins, cooling the gas and preparing it for another cooling cycle.

The Beginning of Problems Before an AC Compressor Replacement 

Dirt and debris are enemies of any mechanical system, especially for an air conditioner compressor unit. Cooling the refrigerant gas quickly is essential. Recycling hot refrigerant gas through the compressor motor causes irreparable damage. Therefore, it is essential to:

• Keep land furniture and landscaping shrubs at least 2 feet away from the compressor.
• Keep leaves and limbs away from the base of the compressor.
• Keep airborne debris off the compressor coils.

Lawn clippings, cottonwood and dandelion seeds, and dust are pulled onto the surface of the compressor and between the fins. This restricts the flow of air, slows the cooling of the gas, and threatens compressor function which can lead to an AC Compressor Replacement.

Remember the evaporator coil on the other end of the system? Keeping this coil clean is also essential.

• Change the air filter regularly. A clogged air filter restricts air movement over the evaporator coil and slows the cooling process. A dirty filter places stress on the entire system.
• Removing the filter allows dust and dirt to collect on the evaporator, so do not run the air conditioner without a filter.

Advanced Problems

Air conditioners depend on the refrigerant gas being compressed and released repeatedly in a rather narrow range of pressures. When something changes the gas pressure, it causes problems with the entire system.

• A leak might allow gas to escape and reduce the pressure in the system.
• Adding too much gas to the system will also make creating the proper gas pressure difficult. This will also damage the compressor.
• The entire cooling system is controlled by precision electronics—sensors, switches, and controllers.

A technician should test your refrigerant gas pressure and inspect the system electronics annually.

If you experience compressor failure, you are probably facing the need to replace your air conditioner system. Steps to keep your compressor healthy and avoid an AC Compressor Replacement include:

• Keep the compressor unit clean.
• Change the air filter regularly.
• Schedule an annual preventative maintenance inspection.

Have questions about AC Compressor Replacement, we can help!

With our four decades of experience as an AC Compressor Replacement and AC repair contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to assist with your AC repair needs.

We have several financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your AC repairs, Tune Up maintenance, and AC Replacement needs.