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• A quick visual inspection checklist for the outdoor air conditioning system compressor/condenser unit
• How to inspect the outdoor components of an air conditioning system - simple tips for home owners and home inspectors

This article discusses the how to perform a simple visual inspection of an air conditioning compressor-condenser unit, including links to more detailed air conditioning inspection,diagnosis and repair articles useful in the evaluation of air conditioner compressor noises, hard starting, lost cooling capacity, and detection of a burned out compressor or A/C compressors at or near end of their life. Maintenance tips including attention to compressor support pads and avoiding air conditioning refrigerant leaks are addressed. Initial, simple diagnostic checks of the air conditioning compressor are also described at Compressor failure diagnosis.

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS describes the major components of an air conditioning system. Sketches and photographs are provided, and common defects for each A/C component are listed along with visual or other clues that may suggest a problem or probable failure of each components. We explain how an air conditioning service technician will diagnose certain common air conditioning system failures or defects. We include photographs to assist readers in recognizing cooling system defects.

If your air conditioning system has lost its cooling capacity or won't start see REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS. See How to determine the cooling capacity of air conditioning equipment if the system seems to be working but is inadequate to cool your building. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

How do We Inspect an Air Conditioning Compressor - Visual Only

Minimum Air Conditioner Compressor Unit Inspection Checklist for an Air Conditioner Report - Outdoor Unit Observations

• Location of the Compressor/Condenser: Locate the outdoor unit or units and look at the characteristics of just where the unit(s) have been placed:
  • Is there good air circulation around the compressor/condenser unit or is it too close to a wall, to close to an overhead deck, porch, shrubs - Details are at INSTALLATION ERRORS, COMPRESSORS
  • Is the unit too close to the property line - a possible noise issue for neighbors or a local building code violation? Most municipalities require that the compressor be at least 10' from the property line.
  • Is the compressor/condenser too close to a gas appliance vent or to a clothes dryer vent? - Details are at INSTALLATION ERRORS, COMPRESSORS
  • Are all of the cabinet parts and cabinet base above ground - the unit should not be partially buried
• Condition of the compressor/condenser cabinet: look for rust damage or dents from having been struck by a garden tractor or dropped during installation
• Levelness of the condenser/compressor unit: the unit should be level or within 10 deg. of level. See   CONDENSING COIL FINS, SUPPORT PADS
• Condition of the compressor/condenser condensing coil: look for evidence of damage to the cooling fins or dirt, debris, grass clippings blocking the air flow of the unit. See   CONDENSING COIL FINS, SUPPORT PADS
• Condition of the compressor/condenser fan: look for evidence of damage to the fan itself (rare)
• Presence of an electrical service disconnect switch at the air conditioner compressor/condenser: a service disconnect switch, fuse, or circuit breaker should be installed, usually on the building wall close to the unit. Check the size of the fuse or circuit breakers and compare with the overcurrent protection specified on the data plate on the compressor/condenser unit body. See CONTROLS & SWITCHES.
• Condition of the wiring to the air conditioner compressor/condenser unit: look for signs of damage or overheating, broken conduit that should be protecting the wiring. A home inspector or electrical inspector will compare the size (current carrying capacity) of the wiring with the fuse or circuit breaker size and the size specified by the data tag. She should also check that the wiring to the compressor/condenser is rated for outdoor use or is suitably installed in conduit. See ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR.
• Condition of the air conditioner refrigerant lines: look for lost insulation on the suction line; look for absence of any bend or slack in the refrigerant line; if the compressor/condenser is connected to copper piping that is rigid between the unit and the building wall, vibration, settlement, slight movement can produce a refrigerant leak. See   REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION.
• Air Conditioner Data Plate Information: is there a data plate at all? If you can find it, record the model, serial number, and other data from this tag - it can help locate service manuals, system specifications such as RLA, maximum fuse size, and it will permit you to find the age and cooling capacity of the unit. See DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS. A home inspector can be asked to make a rough comparison between the cooling capacity of the compressor and the square footage of the building it serves. See COOLING CAPACITY, RATED for how to do this, and see AIR CONDITIONER BTU CHART.
• If the compressor can be run, listen to the motor and fan motor when the unit starts and after it gets running; Noisy or hard starting compressors may be at or near the end of life or may need service and repair. See   NOISY COMPRESSOR UNITS, and see OPERATING DEFECTS.
• Operating temperatures: a home inspector or service technician may use other instruments, including measuring simple air temperatures at the compressor/condenser to get an idea how well the system is functioning. See OPERATING TEMPERATURES.

Air Conditioning System Diagnostic Articles

• At LOST COOLING CAPACITY, our focus is on the case in which the air conditioning system seems to be "running" but not enough cool air, or no cool air at all is being delivered to the occupied space. Sketch from Carson Dunlop.
  
  
• At OPERATING DEFECTS we take you through the major air conditioning problem symptoms and how to get the air conditioning system working again.
  
  
• At CONTROLS & SWITCHES we explain the many electrical switches and controls that control an air conditioner or heat pump system. You'll need to check these if your air conditioner won't start.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
AIR CONDITIONER BTU CHART
AIR CONDITIONER COMPONENT PARTS
  Indoor A/C Components
  Outdoor A/C Components
AIR CONDITIONER TYPES, ENERGY SOURCES
AIR CONDITIONER NOT WORKING
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
AIR HANDLER UNIT
BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
CLEANING & Legionella BACTERIA
COMPRESSOR CONDENSER
  BURNED-OUT COMPRESSOR
  CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS
  CONDENSING COIL FINS, SUPPORT PADS
  HARD STARTING COMPRESSOR MOTORS
  INSTALLATION ERRORS, COMPRESSORS
  MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
  NOISY COMPRESSOR UNITS
  PRESSURE READINGS, COMPRESSOR
  REPLACING A COMPRESSOR
  TIGHT or SEIZED AC COMPRESSORS
CONDENSATE HANDLING
CONTROLS & SWITCHES
COOL OFF HEAT Thermostat Switch
COOLING CAPACITY, RATED
  FROM MODEL #
  FROM EQUIPMENT RLA #
  COOLING RULES OF THUMB
COOLING COIL or EVAPORATOR COIL
DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS
DUCT SYSTEMS
DUCTS - Asbestos
DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS
DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
DUCTS, Asbestos Transite Pipe
DUST FROM HVAC?
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
INSPECTION CHECKLIST - OUTDOOR UNIT
INSPECTION LIMITATIONS
LOST COOLING CAPACITY
  What to check first
  Compressor failure diagnosis
  Duct & Air Handler diagnosis
MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
OPERATING COST
OPERATING DEFECTS
OPERATING TEMPERATURES
  Air Conditioning System Temperatures
  Instruments Used to Measure A/C Temperatures
  Procedures for Making Temperature Measurements
REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS
REPAIR & DIAGNOSTIC FAQs for A/C
REFRIGERANTS
  REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION
  REFRIGERANT LEAK REPAIR
SEER RATINGS & OTHER DEFINITIONS
SYSTEM OPERATION
  OPERATING CONTROLS
  SAFETY CONTROLS
THERMOSTATS
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES
CRITICAL DEFECTS
Air Conditioning "How To" Books

Technical Reviewers & References

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia ^TM Website
• Thanks to Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, for assistance in technical review of the "Critical Defects" section and for the photograph of the deteriorating gray Owens Corning flex duct in a hot attic. Mr. Cramer is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator.
• Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and for providing a copy of Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment ($69.00 U.S.).
• Thanks to Scott at SJM Inspect for suggesting this EPA document and for technical editing remarks regarding our air conditioning website, SJM Inspection Service LLC, serves the entire state of CT, sjminspect.com 203-543-0447 or 203-877-4774 5/16/07
• Reference: Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, A. D. Althouse, C.H. Turnquist, A. Bracciano, Goodheart-Willcox Co., 1982
• Reference: Principles of Refrigeration, R. Warren Marsh, C. Thomas Olivo, Delmar Publishers, 1979
• "Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]

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