What is an Air Conditioner Compressor?
3 pros!
When you hear noises in your air conditioner, many times the problem lies with the air conditioner compressor.
When you turn on your air conditioner, it takes warm air from your home and replaces it with outdoor air that it has cooled. The process uses heat transfer and the chemical change of a gas to a liquid and back again to keep your home cool.
If your air conditioner is having problems, understanding its components and how they function will help you understand what steps to take to fix it.
The four basic parts of an air conditioner are the expansion valve, air conditioner compressor, condenser and evaporator. These work together to turn refrigerant into gas and back into liquid again, which removes heat from the air.
The compressor is the central part of this process, as it starts the cooling cycle. Understanding your compressor is key to understanding your air conditioning system.
How Does An Air Conditioning Compressor Work?
In order to cool a home, an air conditioner must transform refrigerant to draw heat from the house. The compressor is the middle point in this process. It draws in cool, low-pressure refrigerant gas from inside the house.
It then puts pressure on the refrigerant, causing it to condense and heat up. The refrigerant exits the compressor as a hot gas under high pressure, traveling to the outdoor unit to expel the heat.
Because the compressor places so much pressure on the gas, precision control is essential. To aid in this, compressors have valves that help keep the pressure exactly where it needs to be, regulate the amount of refrigerant that enters the compressor and provide a release should the pressure get too high.
Types of Air Conditioner Compressors
Air conditioning systems have four main types of air conditioner compressors. These are:
- Rotary compressors: These are used in window units and a few central air conditioning units. Not the most efficient options, they are inexpensive and durable.
- Reciprocating compressors: Reciprocating compressors are found in split air conditioners. They are less durable than rotary models, but are affordable.
- Scroll compressors: These compressors are found in high efficiency air conditioners. They cost more than the other two types, but are highly durable.
- Variable speed compressors: This newest option is found in the high-end high efficiency units. While efficient, these compressors are quite expensive.
The type of compressor you have may dictate the cost of repairs should problems arise. The type of compressor also plays a role in determining how efficient your air conditioner is.
Common Problems with Air Conditioner Compressors
Many times when you hear noise in your air conditioner, the problem lies with the air conditioner compressor. Unfortunately, many HVAC contractors mistakenly diagnose a faulty compressor when the problem is actually much simpler to fix.
That is why it is vital to choose the right contractor who will accurately diagnose the problem. In most instances, these noises are easy to fix. Common solutions for these problems include:
- Changing the belt adjustment
- Tightening the compressor's mount
- Tightening all bolts around the compressor
- Improving the refrigerant charge
If you are hearing noises from your system and suspect the air conditioner compressor is the problem, talk to a qualified air conditioning contractor to get to the bottom of the problem. If the problem is the air conditioning compressor, the solution is usually quick and easy, and you can enjoy a comfortable, air conditioned home once again.