Air Conditioning Failures - What Causes an AC Compressor to Fail

Doesn't it seem that when you most need the air conditioning to work, it doesn't? There is nothing more frustrating to deal with an AC unit on the fritz, on the hottest day of the year. For some homeowners, though, the problem may not be major, and a simple fix cures the problem. For other units, however, the problem could lie in a defective air conditioner compressor. If you know what to look for, you may be able to head off the problem before the weather gets too hot.

What causes an AC compressor to fail? Let's take a look at a few possibilities:

1) Age of the unit. Time is the one thing you simply cannot stop. Eventually, your AC unit will become too old to function, and once the compressor goes you will want to consider buying a new air conditioner altogether rather than try to coax life into your current model.

2) Improper installation or repair. If, in the past, you have tried tinkering with your AC to get it to work, you may have done something to trigger damage that has lingered, eventually causing a full failure of the compressor. It's important to know in this situation, however, is that if only the compressor fails there is a chance it has not affected the entire unit, allowing only for a replacement of the compressor to get you back into the cool.

3) It is possible, too, that running an air conditioner for endless hours at a time can contribute to the wear and tear on the compressor. If you operate the AC at peak levels, literally working it through a heat level, it is understandable that the compressor will only last so long. In order to preserve the functionality of your unit, especially if you are on a budget, take care in how and when you operate the unit.

4) Other components within the air conditioner may contribute to the poor performance of the compressor. If the bearings within the unit do not function well, it has an impact that may cause the compressor to stop working. If you are unfamiliar with how an AC unit operates, an HVAC specialist can show you if that is the problem.

Once you know for certain the compressor is the culprit, you may wish to call in an HVAC professional to assess the problem. A simple issue may only require the replacement of a part, but for older units it will likely come recommended to replace your AC.