How Wear And Tear Can Lead To An Expensive HVAC Repair Bill
Over the years, an HVAC system can experience wear and tear. This can lead to your HVAC eventually breaking, often at the most inconvenient time. Your HVAC needs regular tune-ups to avoid more serious and expensive damage occurring. However, if the compressor of your HVAC becomes damaged, you will need to have it repaired or replaced.
Poor Maintenance and Compressor Failure
One example of wear and tear leading to a damaged HVAC is when dust accumulates on the evaporator coils of your HVAC unit. This can lead to the compressor being forced to work harder to keep your home cool. If the compressor wears out, it will need to be repaired or replaced and this is much more expensive than simply cleaning the evaporator coils.
Warning Signs
You'll know that there's something wrong with your compressor when you experience ductwork problems and refrigerant leaks. Most compressors are not repaired and are instead replaced because the parts are sealed and it is difficult or impossible to take them apart. The compressor usually fails because they have become burned up.
How a Compressor Fails
Windings can short if they touch each other. This most often occurs when the insulation found on the windings dissolves and the copper windings will then touch each other. The winding might also simply be broken or might be grounded because it is touching the casing of the compressor.
Replacing a Compressor
If the warranty for your compressor is still in effect, you may be able to have the compressor replaced for free. However, if the AC is very old, it's likely that the warranty has expired. At that point, the question is whether you should repair the compressor, replace the compressor, or replace the entire HVAC unit.
When to Repair a Compressor
Repairing the compressor is likely the best option if you have one of the rare cases where the compressor can be repaired. If it has to be replaced by an HVAC service, you might decide that it's a better idea to replace the entire HVAC system.
If your HVAC unit will not last much longer anyway, you might as well replace the whole HVAC unit. Otherwise, you won't get a lot of use out of the new HVAC unit anyway. If you're not sure which option to go with, it's best to speak with an HVAC service. They might offer a free inspection and will then give you advice on the most budget-friendly solution.
Contact a residential HVAC repair service to learn more.