Can You Repair A Broken Air Conditioner Compressor Or Do You Need To Replace It?

The compressor in your outdoor air conditioning unit is one of the most vital parts of your home's central air system, and it's also one of the most expensive parts to replace. Due to the high cost of replacement, some homeowners wonder if they're able to have a damaged compressor repaired as a less expensive alternative. Unfortunately, this is rarely possible with residential air conditioning units, and a full replacement is necessary. To learn why this is the case, read on to learn more about what the compressor does and why you need to replace it if it fails.

What Does an Air Conditioner's Compressor Do?

An air conditioner essentially works by absorbing heat from the air inside your home and releasing it outside. When refrigerant circulates through your air conditioning system, it goes through an expansion valve as it enters your home, which turns it into a gas. Its temperature drops when it becomes a gas, causing it to start absorbing heat.

When the refrigerant exits your home and flows into the outdoor unit, the compressor will force the refrigerant back into a liquid. Forcing the refrigerant back into a liquid state increases its temperature and its pressure. After being compressed, it flows through a series of copper tubes called a condenser coil that allows the refrigerant to release its heat into the air outside.

If your air conditioner's compressor is damaged and isn't running, refrigerant won't circulate through your home's air conditioning system at all. Forcing the refrigerant back into a liquid provides the force that causes the refrigerant to flow throughout your air conditioner. Without the compressor operating, the refrigerant will just sit in the lines instead of absorbing heat from inside your home and releasing it outside. You'll feel warm air blowing from your air conditioner and your home won't cool down. In order to fix your air conditioner and cool your home again, you'll need to replace the compressor.

Why Do You Need to Replace a Damaged Compressor Instead of Attempting to Repair It?

When a compressor for a residential air conditioning unit is manufactured, the case it's in is completely sealed. It's not possible for an HVAC technician to open the case in order to service it, so a damaged compressor needs to be replaced entirely. If the compressor isn't working because the mechanical parts inside have seized up, for example, there's no way to access them to get them unstuck.

While sealing the compressor case sounds like a downside because it makes repairing the compressor impossible, it helps extend the lifespan of your home's air conditioning system. A compressor contains oil that lubricates its moving parts, and fully sealing the case prevents the oil inside from ever leaking out. Sealing the case prevents a potential point of failure in your home's air conditioner, helping to extend its lifespan.

If your air conditioner's compressor isn't running, call an AC repair service in your area and have it inspected. In some cases, a compressor will simply fail to start due to a bad control board in your air conditioner or damaged electrical wiring. Replacing the wiring will make the compressor run again. If your compressor has failed, however, then you'll need to replace it, as repairing it isn't an option. An HVAC technician will obtain the model number of your compressor, unbolt it from your air conditioner and replace it with an equivalent. With the compressor replaced, you'll be able to keep your home cool and comfortable again.