{"id":1789,"date":"2019-09-30T11:00:36","date_gmt":"2019-09-30T15:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comfortflow.com\/blog\/?p=1789"},"modified":"2019-09-27T07:41:35","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T11:41:35","slug":"ac-compressor-why-it-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comfortflow.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/ac-compressor-why-it-matter\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s an AC Compressor (and Why Does It Matter)?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"compressor-inside-outdoor-ac-unit\"When you envision your air conditioning system, you probably think about the single, large outdoor unit, and network of ducts, in addition to the indoor unit. But your central air conditioner is so much more than just these three parts. Think about it\u2014you have your thermostat, you have electrical components, you have refrigerant, your air filter, the blower fan, and most importantly, the compressor!<\/p>\n

The Heart of Your Air Conditioner<\/h2>\n

Your cooling system\u2019s compressor is one of the most important components there is. It\u2019s the unit that enables your air conditioning system to operate at all. Essentially, when you think about it, it serves as the \u201cheart\u201d of your air conditioner.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s located in the outside unit of your cooling system, and as refrigerant moves to that outdoor unit\u2014called the condenser\u2014the compressor adds pressure and heat to the refrigerant. This added pressure helps to keep it pumping and circulating throughout the entire system. That refrigerant has to stay under a certain amount of pressure in order to release heat as well.<\/p>\n

When a compressor runs into problems, it often means problems for your entire air conditioner. It\u2019s rare that a compressor can be replaced without the need to upgrade the whole cooling system. This is why it matters that you understand its function, and take proper care to prevent compressor damage. How can you do this?<\/p>\n

Schedule Routine AC Maintenance!<\/h3>\n

This is truly the best way to protect the compressor in your air conditioner from burning out. There are a number of important functions of routine preventive maintenance, but the #1 advantage of such a service is that it eases strain on the compressor.<\/p>\n

A healthy compressor helps keep the whole air conditioner in good shape and ensures it will reach the end of its intended lifespan rather than breaking down early. During maintenance, we\u2019ll look for specific problems that can impact your compressor\u2019s health, such as:<\/p>\n