Should You Be Worried about Compressor Burnout?

Dependable Service Since 1926

Compressor burnout is certainly something you never want to happen to your air conditioner, so our short answer is going to be a resounding, “yes!”

We may not experience as hot or as long of summers as other parts of the country, but our air conditioners certainly get their deal of stress and strain, and the peak of summer is when your air conditioner is most likely to suffer from a catastrophic problem—unless of course, you had it maintained recently.

Annual maintenance (or biannual, if you have a heat pump system) is one of the most important Denver, CO air conditioning services you can invest in. It enables our professionals to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust your air conditioner, while looking for any pressing repair needs so you can get them on your schedule ASAP. Skipping maintenance leaves you susceptible to a number of cooling system problems, including potential compressor burnout.

Avoiding Compressor Burnout

Your compressor is essentially the “heart” of your air conditioner. It’s a pump that enables refrigerant to circulate through the air conditioner and applies energy to the refrigerant. If that compressor fails, it’s the most expensive part of the AC system to replace. In fact in many cases, particularly with aging air conditioners, we often recommend a more cost-effective solution—replacing the entire air conditioner.

As we mentioned above, the best way to protect your air conditioner and avoid a compressor burnout is comprehensive regular maintenance each spring. This will benefit you in a number of ways, including easing strain on the compressor—and a healthy compressor means a healthy air conditioner!

So, what causes a compressor burnout? There are a few possibilities:

  • Loss of Lubrication: If the compressors’ moving parts aren’t adequately lubricated—which is an important step in the maintenance process—then the system can seize up and burn out. If you notice your compressor hard-starting, be sure to call for professional assistance right away to see if lubrication is necessary.
  • Bad Oil: Just like with a car, if the oil in the compressor becomes viscous, it will run the motor and cause a system failure.
  • Acid and Moisture: When the weather becomes too humid, moisture can build up in the compressor, and this is a huge concern to its functionality. Another problem is acid buildup. During your maintenance session, our technicians check for both of these problems.
  • Failed Fan: A broken outdoor fan is a problem for any air conditioner in general, however it can also lead to a burned-out compressor since the fan will not be able to vent heat out as the compressor runs. This can lead to the compressor overheating.

Aside from keeping on top of maintenance, the best way to fend off a failed compressor is by staying alert over the summer. If you hear any weird noises such as a hard-starting compressor (you’d hear grinding and clicking) when the cooling season starts, it’s time to call in a pro.

Get peace of mind by calling Bell Plumbing and Heating, the company metro area homeowners have been trusting for over 90 years!

google reviews
4.7 Stars | 3000+ Google Reviews
bell's houzz awards
NKBA logo
NATE Logo
Bell Plumbing & Heating Co. BBB Business Review
HomeAdvisor logo
bell's houzz awards
NKBA logo
NATE Logo
Bell Plumbing & Heating Co. BBB Business Review
HomeAdvisor logo