Overheating is a common sign that your AC has malfunctioned and needs repair. But how do you know that your AC is overheating? This article will offer some tell-tale signs to watch out for. If you are experiencing any of these issues, it helps to call a professional technician for AC repair right away to prevent further damage.
Warmer airflow
Air conditioners are expected to give off cool air through the vents. However, issues with the compressor will cause the air conditioner to overwork, releasing warmer air instead of cool air.
Be sure to set the thermostat to cooling to attain the desired temperature. Also, reaching out to an expert for professional help will reduce the stress on your unit to prevent overheating and promote a higher level of performance.
Clogged air filter
For your air conditioner to work effectively, there is a need to keep the air filter in top-notch condition. It needs to vent out the air from the indoor unit without any hindrance.
However, your unit’s air filter can become clogged with dust and dirt over time. This can significantly decrease the airflow, prompting your unit to work hard and long to ensure consistent airflow. Therefore, a clogged air filter could indicate that your AC is overheating.
Increased energy bills
When your AC unit overheats, it is likely to consume a lot more energy than usual, causing A significant increase in your energy bills. An AC can consume a lot of energy due to problems like a clogged air filter, a malfunctioning compressor, or a low refrigerant charge.
If you notice a significant increase in energy bills, don’t hesitate to schedule professional repair and maintenance.
Odd noises
If your AC unit generates louder noises than usual, a common reason for this is overheating. Loud and odd noises like scraping and squealing could indicate that a component in your AC has malfunctioned.
For instance, the belt may have slipped out of place, or compressor failure. Additionally, scraping noises can mean that some components are out of balance, or they need lubrication.
If you hear any unusual noise emanating from your AC, find a professional HVAC expert to troubleshoot the problem. Otherwise, what could be a minor problem could eventually aggravate and lead to major damage.
Strange odors
Do you smell strange odors from your AC? An air conditioner can typically produce a musty smell because of mold growth that occurs when excess moisture accumulates in the drainage pan.
Also, an electric smell from your unit and the vents could be a warning sign that your appliance is overheating. In this case, it helps to call a licensed professional who may know the cause of the issue and how to handle it.
Low refrigerant
Refrigerant is a coolant used to cool down the air in an AC unit. Generally, an air conditioner needs an adequate refrigerant amount to eliminate heat and cool the air efficiently. However, if your AC has an inadequate refrigerant amount, then it may overheat.
Lack of enough refrigerant amount can be caused by a refrigerant leak, which usually forms around the unit. In this case, your unit will operate continuously to reach the desired temperature. In some instances, it can run nonstop until it overheats.
Dirty condenser coils
Condenser coils are tubes filled with refrigerants to help absorb indoor heat before releasing it into the outdoor air. However, dirty condenser coils will hinder the release of collected heat, causing the AC to run longer. This is also the case for frozen coils.
Ultimately, the AC will not attain the set thermostat temperature for cooling your indoor space. Because of this, it goes through multiple repetitive cooling cycles, leading to overheating. A solution for this is to get your unit serviced yearly so that the unit’s condenser coils can be cleaned to prevent dirt build-up.
Decreased airflow
Weak or decreased airflow can be a warning sign of an overheating AC. An AC that is working properly will ensure consistent airflow. On the other hand, an overheating AC unit can experience weak airflow because of issues such as a malfunctioned compressor or clogging of the ducts and fan.
Decreased airflow will force your unit to work excessively to keep the indoor air cool, resulting in overheating. Consequently, this can cause the motors to burn out and you may need to replace the entire unit if the problem persists.
High humidity levels
An air conditioner is designed to regulate indoor air. However, a malfunctioned AC won’t keep the indoor moisture at an optimum level, leading to high humidity levels.
This is a sign indicating that your unit is not running efficiently. It could also be short cycling or overheating. If you experience high humidity indoors, don’t hesitate to contact the experts to determine whether it needs a simple repair or a more intense diagnosis.
Pooling water
Water pooling can occur around your unit as a result of a clogged drain line. This can also occur if the drain pan is leaking. Because of this, your unit will be forced to work hard to maintain the right humidity inside your home.
Fortunately, this issue can be fixed when addressed early enough. Otherwise, it can promote mold growth, damage your home, and make your home uncomfortable.
Tripping the circuit breaker
If the outside unit of your AC keeps losing power, it is more likely to trip the circuit breaker. The panel breaker constantly tripping is a warning sign that your AC compressor is drawing too much power which may lead to overheating.
Aging Unit
If your AC system has been in operation for more than 10 years, then you can expect it to overheat. An aging system can have old and problematic parts that may be unable to deliver a high level of performance.
The worn-out parts will only add stress and pressure to your unit. This promotes overheating and your AC will eventually shut down.
Conclusion
There are several reasons your AC system could be overheating, and what we provided above are some of the most common signs of an overheating AC. Regular AC maintenance can help troubleshoot any problems with your unit and address them in good time.
