Commercial HVAC compressor failure is one of the most serious problems your HVAC system can have.
When a commercial compressor fails, it means replacing the most complex, important, and often costly part in the entire system. In contrast to many other components, which slowly reduce your total efficiency as they degrade, a failed compressor brings operations to an immediate stop.
Whenever you detect a mysterious smell, the first place to check out is your HVAC system.
This is just as true with a large commercial HVAC as it is with a small home air conditioner.
There are many different opportunities for an HVAC system to emit a strange odor. However, that doesn’t usually mean that there’s a mishap within the commercial compressor unit itself.
By and large, a new commercial compressor should last for about eight to ten years.
Because the compressor does such vital work within the system, it’s not out of the ordinary for people to assume it must be the culprit when things go wrong. After all, everything comes to a stop when the compressor does. Without it, refrigerant gas isn’t available to the rest of the system.
High heat can age your HVAC system in a hurry, especially the most crucial part: The compressor.
Sweltering heat means higher demand throughout your entire HVAC system. Sometimes, relatively minor problems with a component worsen rapidly and degrade performance system-wide. The risk is especially high if the last maintenance check was more than three months ago.
The commercial HVAC system has a variety of components. Each of these works together to ensure overall system performance. If any of the components breaks down, then the whole system will not be far behind. However, just one part gets most of the attention.
As you can probably guess, that part is the compressor.
If you are getting unsatisfactory performance from your commercial compressor, it’s important to ask yourself why. The compressor itself is often looked at as the most likely culprit when a system doesn’t work as expected, but there are many factors that can contribute to that failure.
It’s true that the compressor is the “heart” of your system, but it’s not the only crucial piece!
If your commercial refrigeration or HVAC system fails, it’s a wise idea to perform a full root cause analysis and get down to the true cause. Otherwise, even a replacement compressor may not last as long as you want.
Up to 90% of Commercial Compressor Failures Could Originate Elsewhere in Your System
The compressor sits at the heart of every HVAC system. The compressor is a very crucial component. The welfare of your commercial compressor is essential to your business. Here are some frequently asked questions about compressors.
CPR valves play an important role in protecting your refrigeration equipment. If you are not familiar with CPR valves and how they work with your commercial compressor, this guide will help you understand more about this component. It is important to note that not all systems use a CPR valve, so you may have to inspect your system to determine whether or not this component is in place.
Your commercial HVAC or refrigeration compressor is the backbone of your entire cooling system. When it goes down, the whole system will undoubtedly fail. Unfortunately, many people ignore the signs of compressor failure instead of acting to save the compressor from further damage. Part of the reason is that they simply don't know what their compressor is trying to tell them. Here are a few clues to help you keep an eye on your commercial compressor, and know when it is on its last leg.
Compressor floodback is a common cause of HVAC/R system failure. Floodback occurs when uncontrolled liquid refrigerant enters the compressor during system operation. In an HVAC/R system, the refrigerant exits the evaporator and enters the compressor in a vapor state. But when the refrigerant is not vaporized entirely in the evaporator, a part of it gets sucked into the compressor in its liquid form. Compressor floodback may be misdiagnosed as compressor failure, even though the compressor doesn’t cause this phenomenon.