How to replace a burned-out air conditioning or heat pump compressor InspectAPedia® -
How to replace a burned-out air conditioning compressor
Air conditioner compressor repair or replacement procedure
Questins & answers about how to replace a burned-out air conditioner or heat pump compressor motor
This air conditioning repair article describes the basic steps involved in replacing
a burned out air conditioner compressor.
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What is Involved in Air Conditioner Compressor Replacement
Replacing an air conditioner compressor is a job for a trained service technician. Not only is the compressor motor often the most costly
part in the system, but it is not a simple "bolt-in" replacement. The service technician will:
Confirm that the compressor has failed and needs replacement (BURNED-OUT COMPRESSOR)
Identify the compressor model and capacity so that a proper replacement can be obtained
Shut down the air conditioning system, including turning off electrical power
Remove all refrigerant from the system. Modern procedures require that the refrigerant be captured rather than released to the
environment in order to reduce environmental pollutants
If the air conditioner system used a now-obsolete refrigerant such as R11 or R22, a the new compressor will be one designed
to use a new, approved refrigerant and other changes may be needed to the system to accommodate this change, such as changes in
thermal-expansion valves, coils, or other components. Not all components need replacement, however; ducts and blower assemblies,
for example, are retained.
The new compressor is installed in place in the compressor/condenser unit (usually all of this equipment is located
outside), and its refrigerant lines are connected (usually silver soldering) to the existing refrigerant lines. New coils
or other controls may need to be cut out and replaced if the refrigerant is being changed too.
A vacuum is pulled on the entire system both to evacuate all air from the refrigerant lines and compressor and to check
for leaks in the system. Air contamination, if allowed to mix with the new refrigerant would change its operating characteristics and
would prevent proper operation.
Any water or moisture in the system is also removed and the technician may install a drier
(REFRIGERANT DRIERS & FILTERS) in the system to remove any trace moisture that remains behind after reassembly. A special HVAC compressor burnout dryer / filter may be installed on the refrigerant line(s) to provide extra debris and moisture and oil filtering capacity to protect the new equipment from debris clogging. Capillary tubes and TEVs as well as coils and compressors are vulnerable to damage from debris, stray oil, or water in the system.
Refrigerant is added to the system at the proper charge amount. Residential air conditioner systems, unlike commercial units,
use a hermetically sealed compressor motor and there is no separate receiver to hold a large refrigerant charge, so the charge
must be measured precisely (including temperature, pressure, and volume during charging) for the system to work properly. Both
overcharging and under-charging refrigerants will lead to improper system operation.
The air conditioning system, with its new compressor installed, will be re-started and checked for proper operation
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Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
"Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]
Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend)
Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment ($69.00 U.S.).
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