When your air conditioner simply isn’t working as intended, it’s common to suspect a bad AC compressor. You should call for AC services in Pendleton, IN. Experts like Star Heating, Cooling & Plumbing won’t waste any time inspecting the cooling system to find the problem.
In the meantime, learn more about the different AC compressor failure symptoms below. You’ll also find what to do about each air conditioner issue.
1. Warm Air Coming From Your Vents Could Indicate a Bad AC Compressor
Warm air from the vents could indicate:
- Clogged air filters
- An incorrect thermostat setting
- Low refrigerant levels
If the air coming from your home’s vents is warm instead of cool, you might also find the AC compressor not working. A broken component can’t compress and circulate the refrigerant gas through the system effectively. So, the air conditioner is unable to remove warm and humid air from your house and generate air that feels cooler.
2. If You Hear Rattling or Clanking Noises, Your AC Compressor Could Be Failing
When you hear odd noises coming from the air conditioner, it could indicate a problem with the compressor. For example, rattling noises are common when the compressor is aging or going wrong. If some of the parts of the compressor are loose, they could rattle.
You could also have loose parts in the air conditioning system clanking as things move or bump together. If you hear rattling noises like this, stop using the air conditioner. Call for repairs for the bad AC compressor before you use it again.
3. Your Power Bills Are Increasing in Pendleton, IN
Homeowners know roughly how much they spend on operating the air conditioner during summer. Are your energy bills increasing from year to year? You might have a problem with the air conditioner’s compressor.
Humid summers are common in Pendleton, Indiana, and even when temperatures are close to average, most homeowners run their air conditioners to combat high humidity levels. High temperatures here rarely exceed the 80s in summer, but if the area experiences a long heat wave, you might see your cooling bills rise. A cause for concern would be when temperatures are consistent from year to year, as rising power bills could indicate the start of problems with the compressor.
4. Signs of Leaking Refrigerant Could Originate With an Old Air Conditioner Compressor
An aging air conditioner compressor may develop loose connections or cracks that could allow refrigerant to leak out of the system. If you notice frost or ice buildup on the exterior of the unit or a hissing sound as it operates, you could have a refrigerant leak.
An AC compressor overheating could also be a sign of leaking refrigerant. When the refrigerant levels are low, the compressor has to work harder to try to move the remaining refrigerant. This lack of support can cause the unit to overheat and eventually fail.
You should not try to replace the refrigerant yourself. According to regulations in Indiana and the Pendleton, IN, area, only licensed HVAC professionals should handle coolants.
5. Your Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On and Start Running Normally
A bad AC compressor could prevent the system from running when you turn it on. No matter how low you adjust the thermostat setting, the unit won’t start as expected.
Short cycling, where the cooling system turns on and off repeatedly, is another issue that’s frequently related to problems with compressors. This problem could lead to a circuit breaker tripping, which would cause the air conditioner to fail to turn on as expected.
If the issue relates to a tripped circuit breaker, homeowners can check the breaker themselves and reset it. However, that probably won’t fix the underlying issue. If you want lasting solutions, you’ll need to contact an HVAC professional like Star Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for help.