Which part of a cooling system is most likely to have issues after prolonged inactivity?

The rotating shaft seal is an essential component in a cooling system, particularly within the compressor. Over time, if the system is not in operation, various elements can contribute to the degradation of this seal. When a cooling system sits idle for extended periods, the lubricant may settle, become less effective, or even degrade, which can lead to the seal becoming dry or cracked. This can result in refrigerant leaks when the system is eventually put back into operation.

The other components mentioned may also face issues, but they typically do not have the same susceptibility to problems due to inactivity as the rotating shaft seal does. For instance, while evaporator coils, the condensing unit, and the expansion valve can accumulate dust or moisture if left inactive, these conditions do not usually lead to immediate sealing issues. In contrast, the integrity of the rotating shaft seal is crucial for maintaining proper pressure within the system, and failures here can lead to significant refrigerant loss and efficient operation problems. Therefore, prolonged inactivity poses a higher risk specifically to the performance of the rotating shaft seal.