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Why Do Air Conditioner Compressors Take 4-5 Minutes To Restart?

As temperatures continue rising, many homeowners increase the use of their AC. Sometimes after turning off the air conditioner, it takes 4-5 minutes for the compressor to restart. This can be frustrating for homeowners. Call us if you plan to install a AC repair in Palo Alto, CA.

This blog post will explain why air conditioner compressors take 4-5 minutes to restart and why it’s an important safety feature.

What Is A Compressor?

The compressor is a critical component of any air conditioner. It’s responsible for compressing and circulating refrigerant, which helps to cool the air in your home. The compressor is essentially the heart of your air conditioner, making the system work.

Why Does It Take 4-5 Minutes To Restart?

Air conditioner compressors take 4-5 minutes to restart to protect the compressor itself. Compressors are high-powered components that generate a lot of heat as they work. If the compressor were to restart immediately after shutting off, it could overheat and become damaged. To prevent this from happening, air conditioner manufacturers install a safety feature called a high-pressure switch. This switch monitors the pressure of the refrigerant in the system. If the pressure gets too high, it’s a sign that the compressor is overheating, and the switch will shut off the system to protect the compressor.

Once the pressure has returned to a safe level, the switch will allow the compressor to restart. However, it takes 4-5 minutes for the pressure to return to a safe level, which is why it takes that long for the compressor to restart.

Why Is This Delay Significant?

The delay may be frustrating, but it’s a critical safety feature that protects your air conditioner and helps to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. If the compressor were to overheat and become damaged, you would be faced with a costly repair bill. In addition, the delay helps to prevent the formation of ice on the coils, which can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and increase your energy bills. By giving the system time to cool down, the delay helps to prevent ice from forming and allows your air conditioner to run more efficiently. We provide one of the best AC repair in San Jose to your doorstep.

What Can Be Done To Reduce The Delay?

  1. Ensure your air conditioner is appropriately sized for your home. If the air conditioner is small, it will have to work harder to cool your home, which can increase the likelihood of overheating.
  2. Keep your air conditioner well-maintained. Regular maintenance will help to keep your air conditioner running efficiently, and it will also help to detect and repair any problems before they become serious.
  3. You can limit the number of times you turn your air conditioner off and on each day.

The more you turn it off and on, the more likely it is to overheat, which will increase the delay before the compressor restarts. If your AC compressors still take longer to start, you might need a new unit. If you reside in the area, call us for new AC system installation in San Jose and surrounding areas.

Air Conditioner Services At Malibu Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

At Malibu Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., we provide a wide range of AC services, from emergency repairs to air conditioning installation in San Jose and surrounding areas. Our technicians have the idea and expertise to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. We also offer energy-efficient units to help you save money on your energy bills.

Don’t let the delay in your air conditioner compressor start to bother you. Instead, focus on taking care of your system and ensure it’s adequately maintained to prevent any damage or long delays in restarting.

Trust Malibu Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc for all your air conditioning needs. Call us today!