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Air Conditioning Compressor Condenser Unit Inspection Checklist for Owners & Inspectors
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Air Conditioner Inspection Checklist: This air conditioning inspection article discusses the how to perform a simple visual inspection of an air conditioning compressor-condenser unit, including
links to more detailed air conditioning inspection,diagnosis and repair articles useful in the evaluation of air conditioner compressor noises, hard starting, lost cooling capacity, and detection of a burned out compressor or A/C compressors at or near end of their life. Maintenance tips including attention to compressor support
pads and avoiding air conditioning refrigerant leaks are addressed. Initial, simple diagnostic checks of the air conditioning compressor are also described at Compressor failure diagnosis.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
How do We Inspect an Air Conditioning or Heat Pump Compressor / Condenser Unit:
This Simple Visual Inspection Procedure Can Disclose Damage or Operating Problems
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 The (usually) outdoor half of a typical air conditioning system is a unit containing the refrigerant compressor and condensing coil.
The air conditioning compressor motor is a pump which draws heat laden refrigerant gas from the building's indoor components (evaporator coil and air handler), and compresses the low pressure refrigerant gas to high pressure and higher temperature.
The diagnosis and repair of various defects in the air conditioning compressor/condenser unit are discussed in detail using the links
provided at the left of this page.
Here is a little visual inspection checklist that any homeowner or home inspector can perform.
Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates. |
AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS describes the major components of an air conditioning system. Sketches and photographs are provided, and common defects for each A/C component are listed along with visual or other clues that may suggest a problem or probable failure of each components. We explain how an air conditioning service technician will diagnose
certain common air conditioning system failures or defects. We include photographs to assist readers in recognizing cooling system defects.
If your air conditioning or heat pump system has lost its cooling capacity or won't start see REPAIR GUIDE for AIR CONDITIONERS. See How to determine the cooling capacity of air conditioning equipment if the system seems to be working but is inadequate to cool your building. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution
Air Conditioner Compressor Unit Inspection Checklist for an Air Conditioner Report - Outdoor Unit Observations
- Location of the Compressor/Condenser: Locate the outdoor unit or units and look at the characteristics of just where the unit(s) have been placed:
- Is there good air circulation around the compressor/condenser unit or is it too close to a wall, to close to an overhead deck, porch, shrubs - Details are at INSTALLATION ERRORS, COMPRESSORS
- Is the unit too close to the property line - a possible noise issue for neighbors or a local building code violation? Most municipalities require that the compressor be at least 10' from the property line.
- Is the compressor/condenser too close to a gas appliance vent or to a clothes dryer vent? - Details are at INSTALLATION ERRORS, COMPRESSORS
- Are all of the cabinet parts and cabinet base above ground - the unit should not be partially buried
- Cabinet condition for compressor/condenser: look for rust damage or dents from having been struck by a garden tractor or dropped during installation
- Condensing Coil blockage, damage, dirt: look for evidence of damage to the cooling fins or dirt, debris, grass clippings blocking the air flow of the unit. See CONDENSING COIL REPAIR REPLACE
- Compressor/condenser fan damaged, loose, bent: look for evidence of damage to the fan itself (rare). See FAN, COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER UNIT for details.
- Compressor motor damage or overheating: may be indicated by smells, odors, noises (humming, hard-starting) or by oil leaks. See TIGHT or SEIZED AC COMPRESSORS. Also see AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP NOISES.
- Data Plate Information for the A/C or heat pump system: is there a data plate at all? If you can find it, record the model, serial number, and other data from this tag - it can help locate service manuals, system specifications such as RLA, maximum fuse size, and it will permit you to find the age and cooling capacity of the unit. See DATA TAGS on AIR CONDITIONERS. A home inspector can be asked to make a rough comparison between the cooling capacity of the compressor and the square footage of the building it serves. See COOLING CAPACITY, RATED for how to do this, and see AIR CONDITIONER BTU CHART.
- Electrical service disconnect switch at the air conditioner compressor/condenser: a service disconnect switch, fuse, or circuit breaker should be installed, usually on the building wall close to the unit. Check the size of the fuse or circuit breakers and compare with the overcurrent protection specified on the data plate on the compressor/condenser unit body. See A/C - HEAT PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES.
- Levelness of the condenser/compressor unit: the unit should be level or within 10 deg. of level. See CONDENSING COIL REPAIR REPLACE
- Noises at the air conditioner: if the compressor can be run, listen to the motor and fan motor when the unit starts and after it gets running; Noisy or hard starting compressors may be at or near the end of life or may need service and repair. See NOISES, COMPRESSOR CONDENSER, and see OPERATING DEFECTS.
- Refrigerant charge problems: while you cannot see the refrigerant level directly in residential and light commercial air conditioners or heat pumps, some systems provider a sight glass that can give a clue indicating low refrigerant charge: bubbles visible in a sight glass located in the compressor/condenser unit near the receiver. See REFRIGERANT SIGHT GLASS. Bubbling or gurgling sounds in the refrigerant lines can also offer a similar clue.
- Refreigerant piping leaks, insulation; condition of the air conditioner refrigerant lines: look for lost insulation on the suction line; look for absence of any bend or slack in the refrigerant line; if the compressor/condenser is connected to copper piping that is rigid between the unit and the building wall, vibration, settlement, slight movement can produce a refrigerant leak. See REFRIGERANTS & PIPING and see REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION.
- Temperatures of operation: a home inspector or service technician may use other instruments, including measuring simple air temperatures at the compressor/condenser to get an idea how well the system is functioning. See OPERATING TEMPERATURES.
- Wiring for the air conditioner or heat pump: inspect the wiring, fusing, overcurrent protection, circuit breakers supplying electrical power to the air conditioner compressor/condenser unit: look for signs of damage or overheating, broken conduit that should be protecting the wiring. A home inspector or electrical inspector will compare the size (current carrying capacity) of the wiring with the fuse or circuit breaker size and the size specified by the data tag. She should also check that the wiring to the compressor/condenser is rated for outdoor use or is suitably installed in conduit. See ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR.
Key Air Conditioning or Heat Pump System Diagnostic Articles
- At LOST COOLING CAPACITY, our focus is on the case in which the air conditioning system seems to be "running" but not enough cool air, or no cool air at all is being delivered to the occupied space. Sketch from Carson Dunlop Associates.
- At OPERATING DEFECTS we take you through the major air conditioning problem symptoms and how to get the air conditioning system working again.
- At A/C - HEAT PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES we explain the many electrical switches and controls that control an air conditioner or heat pump system. You'll need to check these if your air conditioner won't start.
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
Click to Show or Hide Citations & References
 Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' home inspection education products include
- The ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program, and Commercial Building Inspection Courses
- The Home Inspection Home Study Course, and publications such as
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a ten percent discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Just enter HRBUS10 in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. Note: InspectAPedia.com ® editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones
- Home Inspection Report writing materials, including the Horizon Software System that manages business operations, scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors
- Thanks to Scott at SJM Inspect for suggesting this EPA document and for technical editing remarks regarding our air conditioning website,
SJM Inspection Service LLC, serves the entire state of CT, sjminspect.com 203-543-0447 or 203-877-4774
5/16/07
- Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, A. D. Althouse, C.H. Turnquist, A. Bracciano, Goodheart-Willcox Co., 1982
- Principles of Refrigeration, R. Warren Marsh, C. Thomas Olivo, Delmar Publishers, 1979
- "Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I & II", BOCES Education, Warren Hilliard (instructor), Poughkeepsie, New York, May - July 1982, [classroom notes from air conditioning and refrigeration maintenance and repair course attended by the website author]
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 5th Ed., William C. Whitman, William M. Johnson, John Tomczyk, Cengage Learning, 2005, ISBN 1401837654, 9781401837655 1324 pages
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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