Summer’s here and that means getting ready for a lot of things – cookouts, ball games, and hot weather. Record high temperatures mean using your air conditioning more than ever. If it’s not working, you may be calling someone for air conditioning repair faster than a toupee in a hurricane. But first you should know what the compressor is and what it does.

Air conditioning systems may seem complex – and they are! In this series, we’re going to talk about the five main components: the compressor, fan, condenser coil, evaporator coil, and the refrigerant. If you want to avoid AC failure, you need to know how these components interact and how to guarantee a functioning system.

In the fourth and final installment of the series, we’ll review the most important aspect of air conditioning repair: the compressor, the heart of your AC system. We’ll tell you about the two features you need to ask for when getting a new compressor.

Fix My Compressor – The Heart of Your AC System

The compressor resides in the middle of the cooling process between the condensing and evaporating coils. Ideally, it takes the evaporated refrigerant from the evaporator coil and “compresses” it so that it can more easily give up that heat in the condenser coil.

Modern AC compressors use what’s known as a “scroll” compressor. It works in a circular motion to compress the refrigerant instead of an up-and-down, or reciprocating piston used in older, less efficient systems. Scroll compressors tend to be more reliable and efficient than reciprocating types. They have fewer moving parts than reciprocating compressors. This results in a smoother and quieter operation.

“Scroll compressors tend to be more reliable and efficient than reciprocating types”

Air Conditioning Repair – Two is Better Than One

Another feature to look for in AC compressors is two-stage operation. Single-stage compressors found in older cooling systems operate at only one speed. Two-stage compressors, as their implies, operate at two different speeds. This more closely matches the exact cooling needs of the home.

The two-stage compressor runs at a lower speed to remove excess humidity from the air when cooling demands are low. As the temperature rises, however, it can switch to its full capacity to keep you cool. Thus, two-stage systems operate more efficiently than single-stage systems, saving you money.

As in many devices, the component that has the most moving parts, is subjected to heat and is cycled on and off frequently, is the component that will very often fail first. In your AC system, that component is the compressor.

When you decide to begin air conditioning repair, have your compressor checked-out by a licensed professional to see if it’s working as well as it should. He’ll be able to guide you in the right direction for repair or replacement to keep you cool this summer.

We’ve discussed the compressor – the “heart” of your AC system – in this article. Here are two important features to look for when replacing your old, inefficient, money-wasting compressor:

1. Make sure you select a unit that uses a “scroll” compressor – it’s quieter and saves money.
2. Get a two-stage compressor – it’s more efficient.

Replacing your AC system very often costs over $10,000 – so be sure to choose the right pro, the right equipment and the right thermostat.

The licensed technicians at Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning are available to deliver quick and friendly service. Call Us Today!