What Causes Air Conditioner Compressors to Fail?

Few things are more inconvenient than your air conditioner not working. Many issues can cause the air conditioner to not work, some of which are significant. The compressor in the air conditioner is a crucial part of the system. 

Over time, dust, oil, and other contaminates can build on the coils of the condenser. When this occurs, the air conditioner will not get rid the heat generated by the system. The air conditioner will then cycle continuously in an attempt to cool your room. This causes increased pressure from the high temperatures in the coils will cause them to overheat and ultimately fail.

The refrigerant lines can become blocked and damaged over time. This causes the system to not cool the home as efficiently as it should. When the problem persists, the temperature and pressure on the lines will increase and cause the compressor to overheat and fail.

Your air conditioner's refrigerant lines could become damaged for any number of reasons, which will cause the refrigerant to leak. Over time, the refrigerant levels will get too low and cause the compressor to work significantly harder to get enough refrigerant through the unit. The compressor will eventually become too strained and cause failure of the entire system. 

If the suction line starts to leak, you need a licensed HVAC technician to do the repair. If someone who is inexperienced attempts to replace the line and places one which is incorrectly sized, the compressor will ultimately fail prematurely. 

An electrical issue can cause a buildup of acid in the system, which causes a problem for many parts of the system, including the compressor. When you have a technician service your unit, they notice acid, which means the electrical components of the entire system is damaged and could cause a system-wide failure. The technician may recommend replacing the unit instead of repairing it. 

Contaminates can also cause compressor failure. Contaminates include dirt, leaves, moisture, acid, and even bird droppings. When the contaminates build up, the components of the entire system have to work too hard to create the necessary air flow required to adequately work. 

The oil lubricant is the lifeblood of the air conditioner, and compressor problems occur when the level gets too low. The system will not work otherwise. When you have a professional inspection, the HVAC technician will check the oil lubricant levels to ensure they are correct.