Air Conditioning FAQ: What is a Compressor?

• What is a compressor? A compressor is basically a small engine powered by the electricity and often fired up by a capacitor. It is designed to do one thing really well: compress the refrigerant that circulates throughout the various components of your system. There are numerous types of compressors on the market today, and some of them have two-stages to incorporate different cooling needs and to increase the energy efficiency of your home.
• How does it work? A compressor works by accepting the refrigerant from the indoor evaporator coil. Once the refrigerator has been evaporated, it is in a gaseous state. But in order for it to become cool again, it needs to be heated up greater than the temperature of the outdoor air. This is where the compressor comes in. Once the refrigerant has left the compressor, it moves to the condenser coils where the thermal energy created by the compressor is dissipated into the outside air with the help of an exhaust fan.
• Compressor issues: Today’s compressors are often completely sealed off to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris inside the sensitive mechanical components. Your compressor can overheat, however, if there are any airflow issues or low refrigerant levels. Make sure you change your air filter regularly to ensure that it doesn’t impede airflow and cause an issue.

If you’re concerned about the operation of your compressor, or if you’re not getting the cooling you want, then consider calling for air conditioning repair in Atlanta, GA from Premier!