An often overlooked part of a home’s HVAC system, except for during the hot summer months, is the air conditioning compressor. This usually looks like a large vented metal box containing a fan which spins and blows air around the compressor on the exterior of the home when the thermostat is set to cooling mode. While the compressor typically requires little regular maintenance other than the occasional cleaning of debris and having a technician periodically check refrigerant levels, ensuring that your air conditioner compressor remains level is an important step in keeping your air conditioning system running properly.
Air conditioning compressor housings should be installed on a pad to keep them elevated and away from soil and moisture that can prematurely deteriorate the unit. In addition, the pad creates a more level surface for the compressor housing to sit on. However, if the ground underneath the pad is not leveled beforehand, the pad can become out of level. This can lead to problems with the compressor fan and other air conditioning components.
When an air conditioning compressor is out of level, this causes stress on the fan bearings that are in motion when the air conditioner is running. As the fan spins at high speed, the bearings become worn out prematurely and can become damaged, requiring repair or even replacement. An out of level compressor can also prevent oil and refrigerant from moving properly through the unit and can become pooled in areas, preventing proper lubrication and movement of the refrigerant between the compressor and the condenser.
An out of level compressor can also lead to excessive vibrations which can also lead to premature failure of air conditioner components. When the compressor fan spins while out of level, vibrations can become significantly magnified and wear out both the bearings and other connections, leading to increased wear and tear. Vibrations can also loosen tube connections, leading to refrigerant leakage. Refrigerant is not only expensive to replace and have serviced, but is also a significant environmental pollutant when exposed to the atmosphere.
Air conditioner compressor housings are very heavy and should be leveled by an HVAC contractor as the unit can be damaged and the refrigerant lines can be disconnected if improperly done. Regular servicing of HVAC equipment is an important part of home maintenance and can help to prevent prolonged issues, such as out of level compressors.