3 Signs of a Bad Air Conditioner Compressor in Your Littleton, CO, Home

Technician working on an outdoor AC unit

Don’t Miss These Signs You Need Someone To Take a Look at Your Air Conditioner’s Compressor

Countless things can go wrong with your home’s AC unit, from clogged filters causing limited airflow to leaks. But what if the problems were even bigger—say, a failing compressor?

Could you be facing a whole cooling unit replacement? Knowing the signs of a bad air conditioner compressor could catch issues early enough to need only a minor repair.

Let Southwest Heating & Air Conditioning Repair’s locally owned company in Littleton, Colorado, take a look. When we arrive, we’ll start with your compressor, which sits in the outdoor condenser portion of your system. It acts as the engine, helping to cool your home’s indoor air by controlling the state of the refrigerant inside its coils. If our assessment reveals a failing compressor, we’ll discuss options that may include AC compressor replacement to restore your system’s functionality and efficiency.

  • When a cooling cycle starts, it compresses or squeezes the coolant.
  • The pressure raises the coolant’s temperature, turning it into a gas. 
  • The gaseous form runs within the evaporator coil, absorbing warm indoor air flowing over it and leaving only cool air behind. 
  • The compressor pumps the refrigerant into the outdoor condenser unit’s expansion valve, which lowers the pressure and temperature. 
  • The coolant reverts back into a liquid, releasing the heat outside.
  • Then, your unit’s compressor pushes it back to the indoor evaporator unit to start again.

The team has provided unbeatable services for over 50 years, repairing and replacing hundreds of compressors. There’s nothing your unit can throw at us that we haven’t seen, including these three important warning signs:

#1 Loud and Unusual Noises

If you suspect an air conditioning compressor issue, be sure to stand outside next to your condenser unit and listen for any unusual sounds. A functioning air conditioner hums lightly as the motor runs, but anything louder can spell trouble, including clattering, banging, or rumbling. These sounds indicate loose compressor parts knocking together that need tightening or dry moving components like the motor and fan that need lubricating. 

Similarly, clicking and vibrations could mean an electrical or mechanical compressor issue. Is the system having a hard time starting or staying on? You need a reliable AC repair in Littleton, so don’t wait to schedule local professionals.

#2 Little to No Cooling Power

Other signs of a bad air conditioner compressor include lowering your air conditioner settings to no avail. Is your system receiving current and turning on but there’s still warm air blowing? Go outside and listen to what’s going on inside the condenser unit. 

Is the compressor motor louder than the fan? If you only hear the whooshing of the latter, a failed compressor might be your culprit. However, when your air conditioner is not blowing cold air, it could also mean you have a refrigerant leak (not enough coolant facilitating the usual heat transfer process will just need a refill and repair).

#3 The Circuit Breaker Is Constantly Tripping

Whether your circuit breaker has reached the end of its 10-to-15-year lifespan or has premature wear, you’ll notice your air conditioner doing more hard starts. It’ll make a lot of noise and pull more electricity when running. Sometimes, the unit will shut down as a safety measure. 

If so, check the circuit breaker. Did the unit trip it, and is this happening often? Call an expert—constantly resetting the breaker can become a fire hazard. 

About Littleton, Colorado

Littleton’s fascinating history, dating back to the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush of 1859, includes plenty of historic sites. Visitors can learn about the city’s rich past through these sites and the interactive Littleton Museum, which hosts two restored historic farm sites that still give people gold fever. You can also taste history by walking and shopping around Downtown Littleton’s preserved buildings.

However, nothing is older than the nature surrounding these places. Experience it all by visiting Chatfield State Park for biking, camping, and watersports. You can also book a private tour with Adventure Scenic Tours of Colorado.  

It Doesn’t Get Better Than Our Air Conditioning Experts!

Because our experienced team is always striving for five-star reviews, you’ll find we’re intentional about maintaining a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee! With us, you never have to worry about receiving subpar. When picking professional HVAC contractors like us, you’ll have service providers with honesty and reliability, which means you’ll receive immediate cooling solutions at fair prices. 

To spot the various signs of a bad air conditioner compressor or other critical cooling components, it’s best to schedule Southwest Heating & Air Conditioning Repair’s experts to take a look! Call us today at 720-513-9324!

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