Fan Kicks On But Compressor Not Working

AC Compressor Is Not Working But the AC Fan Runs

You might be wondering why your AC fan is running when the compressor isn’t working. This is often a simple problem that you can deal with on your own. You might need to have an HVAC technician check it out in rare cases.

• Faulty Thermostat Or The Wrong Thermostat Settings

Someone might have mistakenly changed your thermostat settings. Maybe you were expecting your compressor to work at cooling down the room. Still, it was read as being cold enough already by the thermostat. Therefore, it seemed your compressor needed to start up. If this is the situation, then the only thing that you need to do is change your thermostat to the right settings. If you have a faulty thermostat, and an AC technician will be able to tell you this, then you will need to replace it with a new one.

• Dirty Filters And Coil

Dirty air filters and condenser coils can put unnecessary pressure on your compressor, which can cause it to overheat. When this happens, the compressor will automatically shutdown. If you do not clean the condenser coil and the air filters, then your compressor could end up failing. Instead of waiting around for this to happen, you should change your air filters, clean your condenser coils, and remove all blockages and obstructions inside the vents to allow the free flow of air.

• AC Unit Is Not Getting Power

If you own a split AC, then it is possible that your outside unit where the compressor is housed is not receiving power. The reason why the fan is still working is that it is not an issue for the inside unit. You will need to have some electrical knowledge to fix this problem. You will need to examine the wiring connecting the two units. Also, you will need to check your circuit breaker to see if there is a trip and whether or not there is a blown a fuse. If you cannot do those things yourself, then call a professional AC technician and have him check those things out.

• Relay And Capacitor Problems

The AC relay and capacitor are both essential to supplying the compressor with power. Most of the time, they are what cause problems for the compressor. Fortunately, there are inexpensive. However, it can be a bit tricky to replace them, so you might want to have a qualified technician handle them for you.

• Dead Compressor

If small problems are not addressed, they can blow up out of proportion and end up causing significant damage. One type of damage that might be caused by a faulty capacitor and overheating unit is a dead compressor. Once the compressor has died, the only option you have is to replace it with a brand new one, and you will not be able to repair it. An HVAC expert should handle any compressor change.

• Mismatch Between The Outdoor And Indoor Unit

With a split AC, the complete unit (outdoor or indoor) cannot merely be replaced on a whim if you have a problem. That is because these two units have been matched with one another. If you returned one of the units recently and your compressor isn’t working, that might indicate that your two units do not match. That is a costly mistake. You might want to consult with the HVAC company to find out what your options are.

• A 10-Year Old Unit

You might have an ancient AC that is past its productive, useful life already. As the system starts to age, the internal components will begin to deteriorate from wear and tear. So if your AC compressor isn’t working, but your fan is running, it could be one of the ways that the problem ends up manifesting itself. If you have an old unit, the best thing to do is to purchase a new one so future problems can be avoided.

Can You Repair An AC Compressor?

YOu can repair an AC compressor in certain situations. However, it is best to let the experts make that call. Keep in mind that the compressor is your air conditioner’s heart. A lousy heart sometimes can be repaired, but then at other times, a heart transplant is necessary. Try to understand the reasons why the AC technician is recommending that you replace your compressor rather than repairing it. If you still have doubts, you can always call a different company and get a second opinion.

Most Issues Can Be Solved With Maintenance

Not having maintenance done might seem like it is saving you money. However, it is necessary to ensure that your AC stays in good working condition. When maintenance is performed, many things that can damage your compressor will be addressed. Having an expensive repair in the future or paying a reasonably low price for annual maintenance is a choice you can make.