Your commercial air conditioning works in the background, keeping your entire business cool and comfortable. In fact, you may not even realize it is there until it develops a problem. Nothing lasts forever and you might someday be facing the issue of HVAC compressor replacement. Here are some helpful tips for getting through the process with the least amount of trouble.
Proper Identification
Just like people need the right IDs for security, compressors have things to be aware of too, such as:
- Model number
- Serial number
- Refrigerant type
- Electrical phase (single or three phase)
- Voltage
- Amperage rating
Before you order a new compressor make sure all these features are written down correctly.
Special Equipment
Your HVAC compressor replacement may require special tools or equipment. This is an important consideration. For example, you may need a crane or some kind of rigging to remove the old compressor and replace the new one.
Before HVAC Compressor Replacement
Before you begin the installation process make sure to verify you have the right compressor. This will help to eliminate all kinds of trouble and delays. Be sure to verify serial number, model number and voltage. Also check to see if the compressor is not shorted. This is very rare but is can happen in some cases. After all, people do make mistakes.
Check the Warranty
In some cases, you may need to replace the contactor when you install a new compressor. In fact, some companies will not honor the warranty unless a new contactor has been installed along with the compressor.
Check Oil in the Old Compressor
It’s a good idea to take a sample of the oil and test it. It should not take long to do a field test to see if contaminants or acid are in the oil. If this is the case, you need to make sure the right cleanup procedures are done before starting the HVAC compressor replacement.
Make Note of the Wiring
Take a quick picture or draw a diagram of how the wires are connected to the compressor. This can save you a lot of time and trouble. Plus, it eliminates the chance for errors which can cause damage to the system or compressor.
Preventative Maintenance
To avoid future problems, you should change compressor oil a few hours after starting up the new compressor. When this is done, recheck the oil for contaminants. Consider installing a filter (which can be changed) on the suction line drier. This can help you avoid the same problems which caused the previous compressor to fail.
