Air Conditioner Compressors

What is an air conditioner compressor? This is a common question from customers. The air conditioner compressor’s function is to squeeze the refrigerant, which arrives at the compressor as a cool, low-pressure gas. This added pressure increases its energy and temperature, so the working fluid leaves the compressor as a hot, high-pressure gas.

This compressed, hot gas then passes to the condenser (the part of your air conditioner that has metal fins all around). The fins help the heat dissipate more quickly. When the working fluid leaves the condenser, its temperature is much cooler and it has changed from a gas to a liquid under high pressure. It then heads inside to complete the cooling process in the evaporator coil.

In a central air conditioning system, the compressor (and the condenser) is located in the box outside your home. If your air conditioner runs, but is not cooling your home, the problem is often the air conditioner compressor.

It is important to keep your AC compressor clean. Clear away any leaves, grass clippings or debris from the housing and rinse it off with a hose. If you want to clean the aluminum fins inside, use special fin tool or a paint brush and be careful not to bend them.

Call 866-399-2885 to set up an appointment with your local ARS®/Rescue Rooter® air conditioning specialist if you have questions about your air conditioning system.