AC 101: What’s A Compressor?

If you’ve ever taken an anatomy class, you know how hard it can be when there are so many parts to memorize. Your AC is really no different! With so many different elements, it can be easy to forget which item is responsible for which function.

Your compressor is a lot like a human heart. While the human heart takes blood with oxygen and pumps it throughout the body, your compressor pumps newly cooled or heated air throughout your entire house.

Your compressor is important to the heart of your machine as well! If your compressor stops working, you may notice your AC won’t run efficiently, if it works at all. At Barker’s Heating & Cooling, we know that the last thing that you want to come home to is a house with no AC! In Texas, that’s a fate worse than missing an Aggie game.

What Is An AC Compressor?

The compressor in your HVAC system is used to change the temperature of the air. It does this through the compression of the refrigerant in the system! It is usually located between the evaporator and the condenser. As your air conditioner pulls warm air through the system, refrigerant is pumped into the condenser unit so that heat can be released.

Refrigerant then leaves the air conditioner’s evaporator, taking the form of a low-pressure gas. This refrigerant needs to be put into an area with a higher temperature, which is part of what your compressor provides. It changes the temperature of the refrigerant by packing the molecules tightly together, which raises the temperature. The way that heat moves then allows for the heat that is in the refrigerant to move to cooler air.

When Do I Need To Schedule AC Compressor Repair?

When you’re having issues with your HVAC unit, they may be caused by problems with the compressor. Making sure to have an expert that you can call can prevent further damage to your air conditioner and compressor. all our team ASAP if you notice any of the following signs.

Loud Noises Coming From Your HVAC

Loud noises coming from your AC should never be ignored and can be a sign of a serious issue. These sounds could be due to the compressor because if it breaks, it can make a grinding or squealing sound. It may be a result of a dirty condenser, a faulty motor or a bad condenser relay switch.

Lack Of Cooling From AC

As the compressor puts force on the refrigerant, cool air moves into your house. Whenever this process is interrupted, it may make your AC extremely inefficient. With no cool air moving into the house, your AC will put in a lot of work with no change in temperature. This can be caused by any interruption to your condenser, such as a faulty motor, dirty coil or a faulty compressor fan.

Consistent And Noticeable Fluid Leaks

If fluid is leaking from your condenser, you may have a bigger problem on your hands. If you check the fluid and see that it isn’t condensation, it could be due to excessive oil in your compressor chamber. In the worst-case scenario, it could be refrigerant. Make sure to call an HVAC technician as soon as possible, because refrigerant and oil are both extremely hazardous and flammable.

Call Today For College Station AC Services Befitting Queen Reveille!

Making sure to have quality HVAC repair for your compressor is key to having a cool house in these hot College Station summers! If you’re noticing that your air conditioner isn’t producing like it used to, there are tons of different avenues for repair that you can take.

At Barker’s Heating & Cooling, we offer lots of Aggie-approved services that will have your AC working more efficiently in no time. Call today for quality AC services at a fraction of the cost!