Why Do Air Conditioner Compressors Fail?

An air conditioner features many complex parts, and it may fail to work if any of these parts develop a problem. One part that is at the heart of your air conditioner's operations is the compressor, the central hub for your air conditioner's operations.

If the compressor fails, your air conditioner will stop working. As Roxbury Township's AC repair services experts, we regularly receive callouts from customers who have air conditioners with broken compressors. Why do air conditioner compressors fail without warning? We'll look at the answers in this post.

What Is a Compressor?

An air conditioner compressor is responsible for pushing the refrigerant through the refrigerant lines. If there is no system to move the refrigerant across the lines, the air conditioner can't absorb warm air away from your home.

Air conditioner compressors are highly durable parts that can last up to two decades with proper maintenance. However, they are not indestructible. Without proper maintenance, the compressor can break down a lot earlier. In some cases, the unit can break down even with proper maintenance.

Top Reasons for Compressor Failure

Some of the answers to "Why do air conditioner compressors fail?" include the following:

Dirty Air Conditioner Coils

Your system's coils will accumulate dirt and debris over time. If the dirt accumulates long enough, it will hinder the heat transfer process, making the air conditioner work harder to reach your desired temperatures.

If the compressor suffers excessive strain due to heat transfer distortion, the compressor will overheat and break down. A good way to prevent this problem is to schedule periodic coil cleaning to ensure you never have dirty coils.

Refrigerant Leaks

Air conditioner compressors cool your home down by moving Freon (the refrigerant) through a set of refrigerant lines. The refrigerant lines are sealed systems that keep the refrigerant levels constant.

However, it's not uncommon for refrigerant leaks to occur. In that scenario, your air conditioner will overheat and may cause the compressor to fail. Call an HVAC expert quickly if you spot signs of refrigerant leaks.

Electrical Problems

The wiring in your air conditioner's circuitry should last as long as the system functions. However, environmental factors can cause a build-up of acids and oxidation in the circuitry. The result is a power failure that will cause the compressor to fail suddenly.

Fortunately, electrical problems don't always mean irreversible damage to your compressor. An experienced technician can find the affected part of the circuitry and restore normal compressor function.

Damaged Suction Lines

Another common cause of AC compressor failure is suction line damage. Refrigerant lines suffer significant wear and tear due to the constant temperature fluctuations they experience over their lifespan.

Suction lines that have cracks and holes mean your compressor can't move refrigerant around the system more freely. The result is a reduction in your system's cooling capacity. The extra strain on your compressor will lead to a breakdown if you continue to ignore it.

Poor Lubrication

Your air conditioner's compressor motor needs lubrication to keep all the parts running smoothly. If the system runs without enough lubrication, the parts will wear out and cause compressor failure.

Fortunately, adding lubricant to your compressor motor is pretty straightforward, and you can complete it without professional help. You just need to find the oil pump and use the recommended lubricant for your air conditioner model.

It's essential to check the lubricant levels before you start filling it up to avoid overfilling. If your compressor motors have worn out already, you'll need to call a professional to replace them.

Contaminant Infiltration

You'll find your air conditioner's compressor in the external unit, which the installers mount on the roof or in your backyard. With constant exposure to the elements, contaminants like dirt, dust, grime, soot, and water, can enter the compressor and trigger a malfunction.

Cleaning the area around your external unit can help reduce the risk of contaminant infiltration, but it may not prevent it entirely.

Get Professional Help for Your Air Conditioner Compressor Problems

We hope our article on "Why do air conditioner compressors fail?" provided answers to your questions. If your compressor hasn't broken down yet, there are steps you can take to keep it working perfectly and avoid costly replacements.

Do you want to replace your damaged air conditioner compressor? Do you want a routine checkup to rule out compressor damage? We can help.



Call the Comfort Specialists team in Kenvil, NJ, today at (973) 490-4881 for fast and efficient air conditioning repair services.