Thanks to global warming, air conditioners, that were earlier considered a luxury, have now become a necessity. Your air conditioner is your first line of defense against summer heat. The last thing you want on a hot, sunny day is to come home to an air conditioner that keeps shutting off and the breaker keeps tripping.
Remember, your circuit breaker is designed to keep your appliances safe. If it keeps tripping, something needs to be fixed. Do not try to turn the circuit back on. If your air conditioner is causing the circuit breaker to trip, it may be overheating. An overheating air conditioner draws more amps from the circuit. This pushes the circuit past its capacity, causing the breaker to trip.
Let’s take a look at some common reasons why air conditioners overheat.
Clogged Air Filter
Its air filter is one of the most important parts of an air conditioner. An air filter traps debris, dust particles, dander, and other contaminants in the air from outside before the system circulates it in the building. A dirty/ clogged air filter is unable to perform this function.
Dirt on the filter restricts air flow. When this happens, your AC is forced to put in more efforts than usual. It has to run longer to achieve your desired temperature. This causes the system to overheat. To steer clear of performance issues, replace your filter once every month.
An Aging Compressor
Your compressor is the heart of your air conditioner. Unfortunately, it is not supposed to last a lifetime. An aging compressor draws more energy than usual to start, causing the breaker to trip.
If you have an old compressor, ask your air conditioner installation expert in Atlanta, GA to install a hard start kit, a capacitor designed to give the compressor motor an extra electrical jolt. If, however, your compressor is too old or damaged beyond repair, have it replaced.
Insufficient Refrigerant
It is common for an air conditioning system to lose refrigerant through leaks. A system with insufficient refrigerant has to work harder (and longer) to cool the home, causing the air conditioner to heat in the process.
One of the most common signs of insufficient refrigerant is inadequate cooling. Ask your contractor to add refrigerant to your system and seal the refrigerant leak.
Unclean Outside Unit
Keeping your AC’s outside unit clean is as important as caring for the inside unit. When you neglect your outside unit for a long time, its ability to disperse heat reduces. To avoid the problem, regularly clean your condenser coils. Keep the area around your outside unit clean and free of obstructions.
Are you worried about your AC’s reduced cooling capacity? Do not stress! Central Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help. As one of the top HVAC contractors in Atlanta, we have taken upon ourselves to help our community members get the most out of their air conditioners. To avail our air conditioning services in Atlanta, call us at 404-975-2534.
