The compressor is the literal heart of an air conditioning system. It’s responsible for the circulation of refrigerant that allows the AC to move heat from inside a house to outside. Without a working compressor, an AC is nothing more than a large fan moving around room-temperature air. The compressor is also a powerful and expensive component. When a compressor fails, the conventional wisdom is that it’s better to replace the entire AC rather than invest in replacing the compressor.
Is this always true? No. When the compressor for your AC dies, you’ll have several options for what you want to replace. Depending on the circumstances, you may not need to replace the whole air conditioning system. We’ll go over your four main options to help you understand the choice ahead of you. You won’t need to make the decision alone, however. Our team at Moon’s Air can advise you and then perform the job you need.
Option 1: Replace only the compressor
Yes, the compressor is expensive. But if it’s still covered under the warranty, then the best course is probably to have it replaced. You’ll still need to pay the labor costs, but if this gets you five or more years of life out of the air conditioner, the small cost is worth it. It’s the same as you would pay for most repairs.
Option 2: Replace the condenser
You can choose to replace the entire condenser, which is the outdoor cabinet that houses the compressor, exhaust fan, and condenser coil. This is less expensive than replacing the entire air conditioner, but it’s not a path we often recommend. Replacing only the condenser risks creating a mismatched system where the indoor and outdoor components do not function well together, creating inefficienct performance and unnecessary repairs. You also won’t receive a new warranty for the AC if you only replace the condenser, which doesn’t make this an appealing long-term option.
Option 3: Replace the condenser and the evaporator coil
This is also known as “replacing the air conditioner.” You don’t necessarily need to change the blower and air handler as well. When you replace the outdoor components and the indoor evaporator coil, you won’t risk a mismatched system. Best of all, this replacement comes with a new warranty, setting you up for the next ten years and giving your home cooling a fresh start. We often recommend this option if the air conditioner is over 10 years old and out of warranty.
Option 4: Replace the air conditioner and the heater
Well, since you’re thinking about getting a new air conditioner, why not look to see if it’s time to put in a new furnace or heat pump as well? If the furnace is also getting up in years, then replacing both AC and heater at once will help you save money on installation, as well as save you time.
For the best advice about your air conditioning in Shreveport, LA, give our team a call.
Moon’s Air has provided whole-home comfort since 1971. Call us for service today—it’s good to be Mooned!