Repair or Replace: A Guide to AC Compressor Issues
Repair or Replace: It's a Trick Question
As it happens, asking whether you should repair or replace an air conditioner's compressor is a trick question. Though many parts of an air conditioner are repairable, the compressor is not. A compressor repair is always a compressor replacement, so what you're actually deciding between is whether to replace just the compressor or the entire outside condensing unit.
What is a Compressor and How Does It Work?
Inside any air conditioning unit's outside condenser there is located at least one compressor. This is effectively the heart of your air conditioner. Like your actual heart that pumps blood through your body, your AC's compressor pumps refrigerant. Your refrigerant, also known as coolant, transfers heat from inside of your home to the outdoors thus cooling your inside air. With a heat pump, your compressor has a reversing valve that will reverse this process and transfer heat from outside to inside of your home in order to warm your inside air. While there are many types of air conditioners, the cooling process is nearly identical with all of them and relies on a single compressor.
Your compressor cools your home by...
- Compressing (squeezing) refrigerant (coolant) into smaller volumes to increase pressure
- When pressurized, the refrigerant moves through the system and extracts heat and moisture from inside of your home
- The compressor then receives the heated refrigerant back outside and releases the heat into the outside air
Why Can't a Compressor Be Repaired?
An AC compressor is a closed system. It is machine sealed at the factory and cannot simply be opened up and put back together. When your compressor truly goes out, the only option is to replace it.
However, there are many parts leading up to a compressor that can be repaired. Burnt wires, faulty capacitors, debris and other maintenance issues, and many others things are often the cause behind a compressor that won't run. A skilled HVAC technician will be able to diagnose the cause behind your seemingly broken compressor to see if the underlying issue can be resolved. In effect, fixing these kinds of issues makes it seem as if you have 'repaired' the compressor, but you have not actually.
HVAC companies do advertise 'ac compressor repairs', but what they're really referring to isn't opening up and fixing the compressor. A compressor repair is better defined as 'fixing the external thing that is causing the compressor not to run'.
Are Compressors Expensive?
Yes. Replacing your compressor can be almost as expensive as a brand new outside unit. Not only is it expensive, but it can also take more time. While a new unit is almost always readily available at the supply house, your particular compressor may have to be ordered, leaving you without air for a few days.
How Do You Prevent and Detect Compressor Failures?
Knowing that if your compressor goes out you'll be facing an expensive issue, it's important to do all you can to prevent it. In addition to prevention, recognizing the signs of a failing compressor can allow you to begin planning by saving money and shopping around replacement estimates. As much as possible, we want to make an HVAC compressor last as long as we can, and we want a little warning before we're suddenly without cool air.
How Long Do Compressors Last?
Back in the day, you could expect your compressor and entire HVAC unit to last fifteen to twenty-five years. Now, unfortunately, we've improved technological efficiencies often at the expense of longevity.
Newer HVAC tech is more advanced, and the more advanced it is the more components there are that can fail. This has had a negative impact on the lifespans of air conditioners and their parts. Consequently, according to Trane the average lifespan of an HVAC compressor is up to fifteen years, often much less with lower-end units.
How Do You Extend the Lifespan of a Compressor
Trane, Carrier, and all of the other HVAC manufacturers say the same thing when it comes to extending the life of your AC's compressor: perform the regularly recommended maintenance. When your HVAC system does not receive proper maintenance, all of its components are put under undue additional stress. The harder you make your AC work to overcome being dirty and poorly maintained, the faster your compressor and others parts are going to wear out.
What Are Some Signs a Compressor is Failing?
There are a number of signs that you may be nearing needing an AC compressor repair or replacement. A few of these signs are...
- Energy bills keep increasing
- The compressor overheats and shuts down temporarily sometimes
- Loud noises, especially grinding sounds, accompany it starting up
- It struggles to achieve or maintain temperature in your home
When these things begin to present as problems, your compressor may be failing. As these issues begin to cause you difficulties, take the time to have an experienced HVAC technician come inspect your unit and perform its required maintenance.
