Equipment
Compressor
The heart of an air conditioner or heat pump, the pump that pressurizes refrigerant and drives it through the system. It lives in the outdoor unit and is typically the most expensive single component.
Why it matters for your home
Compressor failure is the classic repair-or-replace decision point: the part plus labor can cross half the cost of a new system, especially on older R-410A equipment. A failed compressor on a 13-year-old unit almost always deserves a replacement quote next to the repair quote, and any company that shows you only one number isn't showing you the decision.
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