If a compressor was replaced in a residential split system and the unit is not cooling properly, what might be a potential cause if the evaporator seems starved for refrigerant?

The situation described indicates that the evaporator coil is starved for refrigerant, which can lead to poor cooling. One possible cause of this issue is that debris from a burned-out compressor has caused a blockage in the system, specifically in the dryer, which is designed to filter the refrigerant and remove moisture.

When a compressor fails, it can create metallic shavings and debris that circulate through the system. If these particles reach the dryer, they can obstruct the flow of refrigerant, preventing it from traveling efficiently to the evaporator. This blockage impedes the proper functioning of the system, leading to low refrigerant levels at the evaporator, which in turn causes inadequate cooling.

In this case, addressing the debris issue by cleaning or replacing the dryer is crucial to restoring the refrigerant flow and resolving the cooling issue. It’s essential to ensure the system is free of contaminants following a compressor failure to avoid recurrent problems. Other causes related to refrigerant leaks, power supply issues, or ductwork alignment may lead to different symptoms or patterns of cooling inefficiency, but they do not directly correlate to the specific problem of the evaporator being starved for refrigerant caused by debris obstruction.