AC compressor

If your air conditioner compressor is broken, it won’t be able to cool your home, or may it use a ton of energy trying to. It’s important to know the symptoms of a bad home AC compressor so that you don’t waste money cranking up the air conditioner when it isn’t going to work. 

Signs Your Air Conditioner Compressor Isn’t Working

These are the symptoms of a bad home AC compressor:

  • Less cool air: When the air compressor is broken, it won’t function properly and won’t produce as much cold air. In fact, if you put your hand up to the air conditioner you may find that the air feels just slightly cooler than your home’s current temperature.  
  • Moisture collecting: Compressor problems may cause water to collect on your air conditioner or pool on the floor. Or it may be related to your air conditioner’s coolant, which might be leaking. Coolant is dangerous, so if you suspect this problem you should call an HVAC technician quickly.
  • No air at all: Your air conditioner’s compressor problem may have also interfered with the fan. If so, your air conditioner won’t generate air at all. If your air conditioner runs only intermittently, it could be a relay problem. Of course, this could be just a fan problem and not related to the compressor at all. You’ll need a professional’s help. 
  • Noisy air conditioner: A rattling or clicking sound from your air conditioner could be the compressor itself, a loose bearing, or another loose part near the compressor. Clicking is often the first sign your compressor is about to fail. Even if it is just a loose part, you should deal with this problem quickly before it inflicts more damage on your air conditioner.   

Should I Get My AC Compressor Replaced

You may be surprised to hear this, but no, you shouldn’t get your air conditioner compressor replaced. The compressor is easily the most expensive part of the air conditioner, and it’s the key to an AC’s function. If you have to replace the compressor, you may as well buy a new air conditioner.

Getting a new air conditioner won’t cost much more than getting the compressor replaced. Plus, it will save you money down the road, as the new AC won’t need repairs for a while. Whereas, if you kept your old air conditioner and replaced the compressor, other parts may start to fail, because they may have been damaged by the compressor.

The only exception to this general rule is if your air conditioner is already brand new and the compressor is under warranty. Then, it won’t cost you to get the compressor replaced, and the warranty should keep covering the rest of the air conditioner.

How to Avoid AC Compressor Problems

Keeping your home AC compressor in good condition is essential to get the most life out of your air conditioner. To do so, it’s wise to schedule your air conditioner for regular maintenance from an experienced HVAC professional. Keeping the whole machine in good working order will help it last longer, avoid major repairs, and maintain its energy efficiency.