If you have a leaking compressor, you might be wondering how it will affect your air conditioning system. Compressors are pressure-inducing devices. In air conditioning systems, they are used to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. Compressors raise the pressure – and therefore the temperature – of the refrigerant at the condenser coil. This allows the condenser coil to release more heat.
Compressors, unfortunately, can leak. Since they are designed to work in a closed, sealed environment, even a small hairline breach in a compressor will result in a leak. The pressurized refrigerant will “push” its way out of the compressor at the hairline breach. So, how will a leaking compressor affect your air conditioning system?
Refrigerant Loss
A leaking compressor will result in refrigerant loss. Most air conditioning systems use about 2 to 4 pounds of heat-transferring refrigerant per cooling capacity tonnage. They can’t produce their own refrigerant, however. During installation, a technician will pump the appropriate amount of refrigerant into an air conditioning system. The refrigerant will continue to cycle throughout the air conditioning system over its usable life.
With a leaking compressor, your air conditioning system will have less refrigerant running through it. Refrigerant will leak out as it travels through the compressors. This will cause a gradual loss of refrigerant.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
Your air conditioning system’s evaporator coil may freeze if the compressor is leaking. The leak will cause lower refrigerant levels, which in turn causes a reduction in pressure.
The pressure of the refrigerant within the evaporator coil will drop with a leaking compressor. In turn, moisture vapor will settle and freeze on the evaporator coil.
Warm Air
Another way a leaking compressor will affect your air conditioning system is warm air. When functioning properly, your air conditioning system should produce cool air – typically at about 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the unconditioned air. If the compressor is leaking, though, it may not provide sufficient cooling.
Increased Energy Usage
A leaking compressor will make your air conditioning system less efficient. Air conditioning systems consume energy when running. The amount of energy they consume during a given period is heavily dependent upon their cooling capacity and their total runtime during that period. The longer your air conditioning system runs during a period, the more it will cost you in utility expenses.
Neglecting to fix a leaking compressor will promote a longer runtime. Your air conditioning system will likely run for a longer length of time. The leaking compressor will interfere with its ability to transfer heat from inside your home to outside your home, resulting in a longer runtime and higher utility expenses.