How Your Refrigerator Compressor Works

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The compressor is usually considered to be one of the most important parts of any refrigeration or HVAC system. It is a complicated electrical component which is, to put it simply, the part of the refrigeration system that actually creates cold air. In actuality, the compressor is also linked to several other functions. It also helps to circulate refrigerant liquid throughout your system.

An Interconnected Web

Whenever you start to examine a refrigeration system and how the heat is moved around, you quickly see that everything is very interconnected. It is often described as a circular system. However, it is far more complicated than that that because it is more like an intricate web.

It really isn't that important to know exactly how an air compressor works, but you do want to make sure that it is well maintained and tuned up on a regular basis. Because of the compressor's important role in the creation of cold air in your refrigeration system, it uses a lot of electricity. In fact, it uses more electricity than any other part of a refrigerator.

When Your Compressor Starts to Fail

So, one of the easiest ways to tell if your compressor is failing, or just needs to be tuned up, is if you notice increased electricity bills when you refrigerator is plugged in. In some cases, your refrigerator will still be just as cold as it normally is, but you will notice a spike in your energy consumption. On the other hand, if your compressor is starting to fail, it might not be able to create as much cold air, so your refrigerator will be warmer unless you make adjustments. In this scenario, your utility bills might not get any higher until you notice that your system is failing and you need to adjust the settings. When this happens, you do eventually see a spike in energy consumption linked to the refrigerator.

Also, if your refrigerator is starting to make funny sounds, it could be the compressor acting up. If it is running louder and longer, have it serviced immediately.

The best way to make sure that your compressor is well taken care of is to have a technician come to your property once a year to tune up the system. The compressor will be one of the first things that the refrigeration repair man looks at and most repairs are simple and affordable.

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