An aircon compressor is the part of the system responsible for raising the pressure and temperature of the vapor refrigerant leaving the evaporator coil. The compressor should raise the pressure to enable the refrigerant to flow. It also enables the refrigerant to absorb the hot air from your room and then release it outside. Besides, it cools air and returns it into the room. Since it is considered as the heart of the system, it is important that you know how to clean your aircon compressor.
Aircon Compressor Functions
Heat Transfer
The compressor is responsible for pushing the hot gas to the condenser coil in your air conditioner’s outdoor side where the fans blow cool air from the outside throughout the coil and fins and extract the heat from the liquid refrigerant then move it to the outside air.
Liquefaction
When sufficient heat has been removed from the refrigerant, it subsequently condenses into a hot liquid, flowing under high pressure into an expansion valve which converts the refrigerant into a low-pressure, cold liquid. This refrigerant travels from the expansion valve towards the finned evaporator coil within the indoor side of your air conditioner.
Heat Absorption
When the refrigerant reaches the evaporator coil in which the pressure is significantly lower, it is forced chemically to turn into a gas. The heat coming from the room’s hot air that is blown by another fan over the evaporator coil is needed in this process. The air of the room gets cooler when room heat is transmitted to the evaporating refrigerant. The refrigerant goes back to a low-pressure, cool gaseous state and is returned to the compressor for the cycle’s continuation.
Why Should Air Conditioner Compressor Be in Good Working Condition?
- To Maintain Its Cooling Capacity
When you buy an air conditioner, the goal is to protect you and your loved ones from the intense Singapore heat. When your compressor is experiencing problems, you will not get all that cool air that you need. - Keeping Everyone at Home Safe
In case refrigerant leaks from your aircon, the puddles formed by it can be toxic and hazardous to your health. You need to keep your children and/or pets away from a refrigerant leak. This leak needs to be fixed immediately by a professional.
Steps in Cleaning Aircon Compressor
- Disconnect the power supply. The first step of cleaning an aircon compressor is knowing how to disconnect the power supply to your aircon to make sure that everything is safe before you start cleaning. Regardless of the position of your aircon, the power supply must be turned off from the main supply to prevent electrocution.
- Unscrew the grille. The grille is among the first parts that you should remove before starting to clean. You only need to remove the screws and place them in a safe place to easily get them when it’s time to re-assemble the parts.
- Clean the AC compressor. You can remove all the dirt and debris that has built up in the vent manually. Using a clean cloth, clean the parts thoroughly as many times as necessary until no dirt is left. You may use a water hose for spraying to remove the debris completely. However, make sure that water does not accumulate in the vent.
- Screw the grille back. After the cleaning process, place the grille back and then use a screwdriver to tightly screw it. Do not turn the power back on immediately after the grille is screwed back on the unit. It is important to give the compressor and the whole unit time to completely dry before you can switch the power on. Cleaning the compressor will make your air conditioner more efficient. Aside from cleaning, there are other precautionary measures you can take to minimize or even eliminate the possibility of dirt accumulating again on the compressor. For example, you may want to cover the entire unit with a sheet of plywood to protect it against dirt and debris.
Benefits of a Clean Aircon Compressor
There are several benefits of cleaning your air conditioner compressor. When an air conditioner is thoroughly cleaned, it will consume less energy and run cooler, making you feel comfortable no matter how warm the weather is. You will not just save big amounts of money on electricity bills, but prolong the lifespan of your air conditioner as well.
Troubleshooting Home AC Compressor Failure Symptoms
- Adjust the thermostat. Turn the thermostat of your aircon as low as it can go. If doing so does not start your aircon, it may indicate a compressor problem. But if the unit turns on but with loud or strange noises, another possible problem may be present. If you do not hear the compressor working while the fan is running, it signals something to fix too.
- Inspect the circuit box. If your air conditioning unit hardly starts, the compressor may not be in trouble. You must always check your circuit breaker for any accidental tripping. A circuit breaker switch features three positions – off, on, and in between. In case the circuit breaker for your aircon is in between, switch it off first before turning it back on. You are fine if the aircon starts up properly. Contact an aircon expert if the problem keeps coming back.
- Inspect the fuses. A blown fuse could be the issue. The fuse box is usually located on an exterior wall of your house. Before checking the fuse, be sure to turn off the power supply to your aircon first at the circuit breaker and then remove the fuse.
- Check any clogs. Check the fans and condensing coil of your compressor for any obstructions or clogs. Leaves, branches, and other blockages can impact the efficiency of an aircon compressor.
Learning how to clean your aircon compressor takes time and effort. If this job does not seem interesting to you, calling our HVAC professionals at SOServices is the best thing to do. Aside from cleaning, we offer aircon compressor repair and AC compressor replacement services.
