A compressor is one of the most crucial parts of an AC in Sparks. Not only does it assist in the cooling process, it ensures the unit’s continual effective operation. To understand how the compressor works, the homeowner should know its function, location, maintenance and repair requirements. Once the customer has that knowledge, they will understand the link between the compressor and regular maintenance.
Location
The compressor is located in the outdoor unit, which is typically installed on the side or at the rear of the home. Other important components include the condenser, coil and fan. The outside unit connects to the indoor parts through copper refrigerant tubing. These parts work in tandem to absorb heated air and cool it within the home.
Function
To understand how an AC compressor works, think of the cooling process for split systems. The AC unit pulls heat from indoor air, cools it over an evaporator coil and releases it back into the home. The coil stays cold because of liquid refrigerant that traps hot air and converts it to gas. The gas is transported to the condenser coil where the gas once again becomes liquid, and the cycle starts again. It’s the compressor’s job to pump refrigerant throughout the system to keep it running as it should.
Maintenance
Proper compressor maintenance is a critical part of overall function, but a homeowner should not attempt to service this part alone. During a service call, the HVAC technician will inspect the compressor for obvious damage, and he or she may also check the unit for electrical problems that may affect the compressor’s operation.
Malfunction
An AC compressor has numerous moving parts that eventually break. If the part fails for any reason, the unit could become noisy or hard to start, or it could cool improperly. Other consequences of compressor failure could include overheating of the external unit or complete system breakdown. If there’s a suspected problem with the home’s AC in Sparks, the homeowner should call a professional right away.
Repair
If a compressor fails, repair options might be limited, and a seemingly broken compressor could point to other problems within a unit. Ask a service tech or visit us for more information and a detailed inspection before replacing the entire system or the compressor.
