Nothing is worse than finding your air conditioning (AC) isn’t working in the oppressive heat of summer. If your AC won’t turn on or seems to be blowing warm air instead of cold, it could be because your AC compressor is not working. The compressor is the main part of your AC system and is found in your outside unit. Here we offer six simple troubleshooting tips for when your AC compressor is not working.
1. Check Your Power
If the compressor is not working in your AC unit it could be because it has no power. Check your fuse box to see if a fuse is blown or if the breaker has been tripped. Most fuse boxes have tags that tell you what fuse or breaker delivers power to your AC unit. If the breaker is in the off position switch it on, and if a fuse is blown, replace it.
2. Check the Air
If the AC compressor is not working but the fan is running, check to see if it is blowing warm air instead of cold. If so, it could be the valves. When the valves are broken, they don’t allow the refrigerant to do its job. As a result, the liquid doesn’t convert to gas when it reaches the compressor. If this is the case, you should call in your AC service technician as they can replace the broken valve and get your system up and running in no time.
4. Check the Terminal Connections
Sometimes you can spot loose or disconnected parts. Take a look inside the unit to make sure everything seems to be affixed and tight. If you spot anything that looks disconnected or too loose, it can be the cause of compressor issues such as sporadic operation. You can try tightening or reattaching connections carefully but it is always best to call in a technician for help.
5. Look for Dirt Buildup
Another thing to look for is how much dirt is in the unit. Dirt can gum up the system, so a thorough cleaning might get everything back into working order. Contact a professional HVAC technician to clean the unit.
Yearly AC maintenance will keep your unit running efficiently for longer, and your service technician will also be able to complete a professional clean of the unit.
6. Check the Capacitors
A faulty or broken capacitor can cause your compressor to malfunction. The capacitor is needed to send the required power to the motors and compressor to start the cooling cycle. However, realistically you won’t really know if the capacitor is functioning. Trained professionals have tools to measure the current and voltage to determine if a new one is required. So, if you find none of the above are causing the issue, you should call in the experts to conduct a few tests.
We’re Here to Help
When you call in the professionals, they can perform a thorough check of your entire system to find the problem and offer solutions. In most cases, they will either make repairs on the spot or recommend replacing the compressor. In the worst-case scenario, they might have to replace the entire AC unit.
If you find your AC is on the fritz, the D&B ClimateCare team is ready to help. Give us a call and we’ll send a technician out to check out your unit and get it back into working condition.
