Which symptoms indicate bad compressor valves in a refrigerant circuit?

The indication of bad compressor valves involves understanding how they impact the refrigerant system's pressures. When compressor valves are faulty, they may not open or close properly. This malfunction can lead to higher than normal suction pressures because the refrigerant is not being compressed adequately, causing it to back up in the low side of the system. Simultaneously, the high side pressures may drop below normal levels due to insufficient refrigerant being moved into the condenser for proper heat exchange.

The combination of these two symptoms—higher suction pressure and lower high side pressure—occurs because the refrigerant is not circulating effectively due to the compromised valve function. This condition can lead to inefficient operation of the refrigeration cycle, thus validating the choice stating both higher suction and lower high side pressures as symptoms of bad compressor valves.

Understanding that a malfunction in the compressor valves can disrupt the balance of pressure in the refrigerant cycle is crucial for diagnosing issues within HVAC systems effectively. Other symptoms such as increased energy consumption may be present but are not direct indicators of bad compressor valves, as they can result from various other factors within the system.