Is Your AC Unit Overheating? Reach Out To An Air Conditioner Repair Technician | Scottsdale, AZ
Air conditioning systems are primarily responsible for cooling your Texan home, especially during these scorching summers. However, the AC unit is also prone to various issues that impact its cooling efficiency. After all, they are electrical units. One of the problems that your air conditioner might experience is overheating. An air conditioner that constantly overheats has a serious underlying problem. An overheating air conditioning system also can result in serious issues at your home. It could expose your home to a risk of an electrical fire.
Further, an overheating air conditioning system causes your utility bills to skyrocket. Therefore, if you suspect the AC is overheating or have noticed overheating, immediately call an Air conditioner repair technician for further inspection. But what could make an air conditioner overheat? In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of overheating air conditioners so that you can avoid them in the future.
Short Cycling
If your air conditioner is short-cycling, it turns on and off more frequently than normal. This can be a major problem because it stresses the system, leading to premature breakdowns. But what causes short cycling? There are a few reasons why your air conditioner might be short-cycling. One possibility is that the thermostat is set too low. Another possibility is that the air filter is dirty and needs to be replaced. Finally, the air conditioner might be overworked and needs a break. A too-large system also could make your air conditioning unit short cycle.
When your air conditioning system is short cycling, your Scottsdale, AZ, home cannot be cooled effectively. A lot of strain is placed on the unit, resulting in repeatedly overheating when it is turned on and off. No matter the reason for the short cycling, you need to enlist an air conditioner repair technician because short cycling makes your AC unit overheat, which might also make the compressor burn out. The first thing the technician will check is the thermostat setting. If the reason for short cycling is that the air conditioner is too large, then the air conditioner repair technician will recommend a replacement. Owing to the dangers of overheating, you shouldn’t ignore short cycling.
Clogged Filter
Is your air conditioner overheating? Then it could be because the air filter is clogged. If the air filters are clogged, then the airflow is restricted. As a result, your air conditioner has to use more energy to push the conditioned air through the filters. It is this working harder that makes the unit overheat and precipitates Air conditioner repair issues. But What makes the filters clogged? The air filters remove the contaminants like dust, debris, mold, and other allergens. It is these contaminants that clog the air filters.
Hence, it is recommended that you replace the filters periodically and preferably within 1-3 months. Do you have pets at your home? Then you might want to install HEPA filters or replace your filters after every month. Failure to do so results in other problems like overheating, and higher energy bills and might even precipitate an AC fire. To stay away from avoidable air conditioner repair, have routine air conditioning that includes filter replacements and cleaning of the air ducts. A new filter will help improve airflow and prevent your air conditioner from overheating.
Running the Air Conditioner for Too Long
If you’ve ever gone outside on a hot day and felt the blast of heat from your air conditioner, you know how important it is to keep it running properly. Unfortunately, sometimes air conditioners overheat and stop working. One of the most common reasons an air conditioner overheats is because it’s been running for too long. When an air conditioner runs for extended periods, the heat produced by the running compressor and moving motors accumulates within the unit.
Other components of the AC unit, like the capacitor and circuit board, could also take a toll, prompting urgent air conditioner repairs. If your air conditioner has been running for a long time and you notice it’s not blowing as cold as it used to, try turning it off for a few minutes to see if that makes a difference. If the unit starts up again and blows cold air, you know you need to give it a break. However, if the unit doesn’t start back up or continues to blow warm air, it’s possible that something else is wrong, and you should call an air conditioner repair technician.
Dirty Outdoor Coils
Birds, rodents, and other pests build nests in the outdoor condenser unit. These nests are made using various elements categorized as debris and dirt. These materials are attached to the condenser coils. This dirt reduces airflow and prevents heat from dissipating from the coils properly. As a result, your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your Scottsdale, AZ, home, causing the coils to overheat. Overheating the condenser coils is particularly dangerous because these birds’ nests are made using combustible materials like paper and dry grass.
Besides affecting the air conditioner’s efficiency, they might also easily result in an air conditioning fire. To prevent this from happening, enlist an Air conditioner repair technician to regularly clean the coils on your outdoor unit during the maintenance visit. Keeping the coils clean will help your air conditioner run more efficiently and prevent overheating. Routine air conditioning service can also avert this problem. When they come for a maintenance visit, the professionals will clean the outdoor condenser unit, bird- and rodent-proof it, and the air ducts.
Overheating is bound to arise from time to time. However, if your AC unit is constantly overheating, you might want it inspected by an air conditioner repair technician. As seen above, there are many reasons for overheating. Has your Scottsdale, AZ, AC unit been manifesting signs of overheating? Contact us at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Phoenix.
