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• Air conditioner compressor installation errors
• Air conditioner compressor defect diagnosis

This chapter of "How to Inspect the Central Air Conditioning or Cooling System" discusses the installation errors in air conditioning compressor and condensing units. Maintenance tips including attention to compressor support pads and avoiding air conditioning refrigerant leaks are addressed. If readers return to the first chapter or view the A/C chapter index, the major components of an air conditioning system are described, sketches and photographs are provided, and common defects for each component are listed along with visual or other clues that may suggest a problem or probable failure of A/C 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. This paper describes the inspection of residential air conditioning systems (A/C systems) to inform home buyers, owners, and home inspectors of common cooling system defects. Example home inspection report language is provided to describe common air conditioning system defects. We continue to add to and update this text as new details are provided. 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.

INSTALLATION ERRORS - Air Conditioning Compressor Installation Errors & Damage

Air Conditioning Compressor Location Problems

Inadequate air circulation clearance around an air conditioner compressor/condenser unit

Typical outside air-cooled A/C compressors require a minimal clearance around the unit to provide adequate air flow so that the condenser coils will be cooled efficiently. Both of the air conditioning installations shown here are tipping and the right hand one was actually leaning on the house wall!

Air conditioning compressor/condenser units mounted too close to a wall, surrounded by shrubs, or multiple units located too closely together may not receive enough cool air flow to function properly. The result can be a shorter compressor life (expensive) and/or less efficient cooling operation (higher operation costs).

Tipped or leaning air conditioner compressor/condenser units

Tipping or leaning air conditioner compressors can lead to so much movement that the refrigerant lines crack and leak, leading to loss of cooling ability. In extreme cases, a tipped condenser unit may fail to operate properly. In the first photo above the compresor is leaning and creeping away from the building and has pulled its connecting wiring and refrigerant line taut. I expect a problem soon with this unit. In the second photo everything looks awful: the two compressors are too close together and too close to the building wall for adequate air circulation, especially in the larger rear unit in the photo. The safety electrical switch for the air conditioner is falling off of the wall, and the rear unit is sliding off of its support pad. This was a poor air conditioning system installation.

Air Conditioner Compressor/Condenser Units Overgrown with Shrubbery

Air Conditioner Refrigerant Line Defects

Absence of slack in the coolant lines at the compressor units can cause leaks: should the compressor move, perhaps because its supporting pads settle, there will be likely leaks at these lines. You should review this question with your HVAC service person. This item may be deferred until next maintenance or service.

Missing insulation on the refrigerant lines, particularly on the larger suction line, will cause condensation and drips from the lines in humid areas. I've seen very costly building damage where lines were not properly insulated indoors: condensate drips wet gypsum board walls, leading to a costly mold remediation project. Missing insulation also probably increases system operating cost.

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS Chapter Index

To continue reading this air conditioning inspection guide, use links to the document chapters at left or below. Links shown in green font indicate where you are in this document.

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