Air conditioners are complex systems, and it’s unreasonable to expect you as a homeowner to know exactly how they work. After all, you don’t need to know how your car works down to the smallest detail in order to drive it. However, there are a couple of air conditioner parts that you should know a bit better. One of these parts is the compressor. Let’s take a closer look at the compressor, and how it can affect the wider system.
What is the Compressor?
The compressor is a pump responsible for circulating refrigerant gas through the air conditioner. After the refrigerant is evaporated by the evaporator coil, it flows down the refrigerant line to the compressor. There, it is compressed to propel it down the refrigerant line to the condenser coil. The compressor is one of the most important parts of the air conditioner, because it both circulates the refrigerant and maintains the rhythm of the system.
Compressor Problems
The biggest problem for compressors is contact with liquid. The compressor is only meant to handle gas for circulation. Exposure to liquid not only causes the compressor to malfunction, but can cause it to break down completely. This often occurs when the compressor is exposed to refrigerant that has not been evaporated, typically as a result of another problem with the air conditioner. If the compressor tries to compress liquid refrigerant, the pressure will cause part or all of it to break. Without a working compressor, your air conditioner will be unable to function. The sign of a damaged compressor is typically short-cycling, when your air conditioner rapidly turns itself on and off.
If you’d like to know more, call Saddleback Plumbing. We provide air conditioner repair services throughout Orange County, CA.