Furnace Repair Vancouver

Furnace Replacement Vancouver

How to Diagnose a Failing Compressor

Just like with the rest of your appliances in your Toronto home, your AC is also subject to experience a variety of issues. For instance, your air conditioner may continue to run but deliver warm air instead of a cold one, or might not even start at all. Some of the AC’s parts that can be the culprit are a faulty thermostat, obstructed filter, or any other clogs that can the air from flowing through the ducts. Most of the time, you can DIY a lot of the remedies needed to address such issues. There no need to call for a professional to intervene, unless you have a failing compressor.

The most significant part of the AC is its compressor. It handles the refrigerant that flows through the HVAC unit and then subject it to pressure before it is converted to gas so that it is possible for it to exchange heat. It might be confusing, but heat is necessary to make your home cool. The AC’s compressor is situated outside, either on a concrete pad or a bracket connected to your home. Once this part starts to malfunction, repairs are pricey and will usually compel the need for professional services to have it fixed. But then, what are the signs that will give you a hint that your compressor is about to give up.

YOUR HOME DOES NOT REMAIN COOL ENOUGH

One of the first few signs that will give you a hint that your compressor is starting to fail is when your home is no longer as cool as it once was. However, bear in mind that there are several other factors that explain why your home is not that cool anymore. For example, on a particular warm day, your AC will be strained to work harder to maintain the normal coolness inside your home. Check your environment first, or perhaps the weather, before jumping to conclusions as to whether your AC is working not as efficiently as before.compressor

The cool air inside your home also escapes when there are cracks, leaks or gaps elsewhere in the house. You will surely regret paying expensive repairs only to find out that that an open window above is the cause of this issue. So, make sure to scout your home and identify any possible energy drainers such as cracks or leaks so you can have it sealed to prevent any more damage to your wallet.

NOISES FROM THE COMPRESSOR

When your unit is turned on, you might be oblivious to any unusual noise coming from your AC since the compressor’s location is outside of your home. Furthermore, the AC itself is a bit noisy by nature. So, sounds you may hear like whining or grinding may seem normal to you and, therefore, neglected. It is always imperative to check your AC whenever it is running so that you’ll be well-acquainted to how it normally sounds and you can easily notice if there are any unlikely changes.

It is a tell-tale sign that your compressor is failing once you start hearing sounds that you don’t normally hear. You’ll be able to identify what kind of compressor problem you have based on the kind of noise you can hear:

Rattling & a rattling AC signals a there is a loose screw, bolt, or refrigeration tubing. The AC emits this sound when you close the unit, and it continues to shake.
Banging & once you hear your compressor banging, this sound indicates that your AC is nearing its end. It indicates that some internal components of the compressor become loose inside.
Buzzing & this sound signals a dangerous issue about an arcing in the middle, among its loose wiring and other electrical parts.
Clicking & it might not be anything serious other than a fan that is rubbing against a bent screen. But it can also indicate defects in the control resulting in the repeated turning on and off of the switch.
Screaming & by design, a compressor is equipped with switches automatically shuts off once the internal pressure becomes very high. Once this control starts to malfunction, turn it off right away and call an AC repairman or technician.
As a general rule, any sounds coming from your AC is an indicator of some issues with your unit. You cannot just assume that it is the compressor that is having some issues. A certified AC technician must check your unit to ensure that it is fully-functioning once again.

DIFFICULT TO TURN ON THE AC

Be it an AC or a furnace, you’ll notice a minor shudder when you turn it on or off, but it should only last for around one to two seconds. It continues to shake drastically; it signals that the compressor of your AC is hard starting. If this thing happens with an older AC, it indicates that its end might be near. But if your AC is still under its warranty, it might mean that it does not receive enough power or electricity to start it up. It’s like a vehicle that has defective spark plugs. There are homeowners who like to DIY things and just make the fuse size bigger to solve the issue, but it is highly dangerous since you might burn the unit or start a fire. Never attempt to meddle with AC repairs you are not properly trained to perform, therefore, call a professional to have a hard start kit installed or change the electric motor capacitor of the AC’s compressor.

CONSTANT BLOWN FUSES

You have to be vigilant and attentive over some compressor troubleshooting, but it is easy as pie when it comes to blown fuses. This problem occurs over the repeated tripping of the circuit breakers, or when the fuses that connects to your AC blows out often. The amount of charge an Ac can draw is affected by a compressor’s capacitor problems. But other reasons point to problems like leaks on the condenser fan motor.

Even though it is highly encouraged to call for a professional to check issues relating to your AC unit, some DIYers can do basic maintenance on their own. But it is limited to changing air filters or cleaning the grills. But if it is a major concern, especially one pointing to a failing compressor, contact a professional AC repair company to check your unit.

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