Have you recently had the ability to cool your home interrupted because the circuit breaker for the air conditioner suddenly tripped? If this continues to happen, it means you have an AC that’s overheating and overloading the circuit. Essentially what’s occurring is that the air conditioner is working harder than it should.
Under normal use, even in the middle of hot weather, the AC shouldn’t overheat. When it does, it’s because of a problem with it that you’ll need to address.
These are the four most common reasons for an overheating air conditioner:
#1. The Air Filter Is Clogged
The first time your AC trips the circuit breaker, we recommend you check on the air filter to see if it’s clogged with dust and lint. This filter needs to be changed for a clean one every one to three months or else it will start to place a restriction on airflow. The blower motor must work harder to pull air through a clogged filter, and this often leads to overheating and a tripped circuit breaker.
#2. The Condenser Coil Is Dirty
The condenser coil is the outdoor refrigerant coil where the heat carried from inside the house is exhausted to the outside air. The condenser needs ample clearance to effectively work, and if it starts to collect a layer of dirt, grime, and garden mulch across it, it won’t be able to push out enough heat. This will lead the air conditioner to lose its energy efficiency and struggle to cool the house properly. If this continues, the AC will start to overheat. The best way to prevent dirty coils is regular maintenance: we clean the coils during our standard visits.
#3. The AC Is Leaking Refrigerant
Loss of refrigerant is one of the most serious problems an air conditioner can face. An AC unit is designed to work with a specific amount (called a charge) of refrigerant. If that refrigerant level changes because of leaks, no matter how small the leak, the AC will begin to lose its effectiveness and need to work much harder. Refrigerant leaks not only threaten to cause an AC to overheat, but they will also eventually force the compressor to burn out, and that’s often the end of the whole air conditioning system. You must have professionals handle fixing leaks and recharging the refrigerant.
#4. The Air Conditioner Is Too Old
When ac AC is more than 15 years old (or earlier if it hasn’t received regular maintenance), it will begin suffer large drops in energy efficiency as its components wear down. An aging air conditioner that is regularly overheating is one that needs a replacement rather than a repair.
Whether you need AC repair in Gates, NY or a new air conditioner, you can depend on our team for the best service. We offer service so good, you’ll look for a reason to call us!
Triple O Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing is Your One-stop Shop for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical.