If you use an older central air conditioning unit to cool your home, you may wonder if it may be time to replace it. If so, look for the following three signs that your old central air conditioner's compressor is starting to break down.
Air Flow Is Greatly Reduced
One of the first signs you may notice is that the air flow through the vents is greatly reduced. If the compressor has started dying, it may not have enough power to force the cold air into your home like it did in the past.
Reduced air flow could also be a sign that the filter needs to be cleaned or changed. If it is clogged up, air will not be able to flow freely throughout your central air system. However, if you still do not feel enough air coming from the vents after cleaning or changing the filter, the culprit could be your air compressor.
Loud Noises Are Heard
Another indicator that your AC unit's compressor is going bad is the sound of loud noises coming from the air conditioner. Normally, you may hear a soft sound like a thud whenever the compressor kicks on and off.
However, if you hear rattling or screeching coming from the unit while it is running, the compressor's motor may have worn down to the point it can no longer work properly. The strain of trying to cool your home then makes the gears work harder and rub together, creating the unusual noises you hear while it is running.
Coolant Leaks Are Found Around the Unit
After finding one or both of the above signs, walk around the unit on a dry day to see if you find any puddles directly next to or under your AC unit. If you do find any puddles, chances are your compressor is leaking coolant. If the compressor has rusted because of age and exposure, holes may have formed and are allowing coolant to leak out.
However, leaking coolant could also be a sign of a loose or broken line. Have an HVAC professional inspect the unit so they determine from where the coolant is leaking.
If you notice any of the above signs, the compressor in your air conditioner could break down at any given time. Contact an HVAC contractor, such as at One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating , to have them inspect the compressor and discuss your options for possibly replacing the old unit by installing a new air conditioner.
Share7 October 2017
Every summer, I agonized over energy bills that would shoot into the stratosphere as a result of my efforts to keep cool in the heat. Every time I turned the temperature down, my bills increased. This summer, I decided to take some of the control over my energy bill back. I installed reflective film on my windows that reduced the amount of light and heat coming into the house. I started serving more cold meals or asking my husband to barbecue outside, so that my air conditioner didn't have to compete with the hot stove, and I started doing laundry at night to reduce appliance heat in the house at peak times. I also had ceiling fans installed. So far, the difference in my bill has been tremendous. This blog is a way for me to explore other ways to reduce energy drain during the summer months.