Overheating is a fairly common problem with air conditioners during the summer months. If it becomes too hot, the circuit breaker can trip until the problem is identified and the air conditioner in Ridgecrest, CA.

If you undertake routine maintenance on your air conditioner, you might likely avoid future problems. 

Five Most Common Causes Of Your Air Conditioner Shutting Off Frequently:

Grimy Condenser Coils

The heat released by the inside unit gathers in the condenser coils. This heat is then released into the atmosphere outside the building. Therefore, ensuring adequate ventilation space around the condenser unit is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, the condenser’s heat-releasing coils can become exceedingly dirty over time.

The heat collected by the coils will not be adequately discharged because the accumulated dirt on the coils will prevent the heat from fleeing the unit. This will result in the entire HVAC system (outdoor+indoor) overheating and sometimes requiring AC replacement in Ridgecrest.

Improper Size Of The Unit

Even though it may not make sense at first, short cycling can occur if your home’s cooling system is designed for a far larger or smaller house than the one you have. HVAC units are designed to remove a predetermined amount of heat from a determined area of an indoor environment. If the air conditioner is oversized, it may cool your home far more quickly than necessary, causing the system to shut down prematurely.

On the other hand, your home warms up very quickly, resulting in short cycles in which the air conditioner operates for ten to fifteen minutes, shuts off, and then restarts. That is why selecting the proper size at the time of purchase is important.

Low Refrigerant

Your air conditioner has a low level of refrigerant, which is another severe problem. This coolant lets your air conditioner provide cold air to your home and function effectively. A particular amount of refrigerant is required to operate your air conditioner’s cooling mechanism.

A low refrigerant charge level can cause the air conditioner to work harder than it was designed to, leading to overheating and an increased probability of AC repair in Ridgecrest, CA. If your HVAC system lacks sufficient refrigerant, it will be unable to chill your home sufficiently, and your air conditioner will become unbearably hot.

An Unclean Air Filter

The air filter serves as a security net for the air conditioner, protecting it from dirt and other impurities. As it becomes soiled, it converts from an ally into a foe.

If the air filter in your home is unclean, it will limit the airflow through the air ducts, requiring your air conditioner to run for a longer duration and at a higher level to cool the home. The situation will last until:

 

  • The faulty operation of the air conditioner persists
  • The air conditioner’s overheating leads the circuit breaker to trip.

It is best to update the air filter every month. 

Difficulties With The Thermostat

The thermostat determines whether the air conditioner will run for a few minutes before shutting off. If the thermostat malfunctions, the cooling cycle will be terminated earlier. There is a high probability of an issue with the thermostat itself or an electrical issue, such as bad wiring. Incorrect thermostat installation is another potential cause for your air conditioner to go off abruptly.

This can occur if the thermostat’s temperature setting is too high. Suppose the thermostat is located on a shady side of the house, distant from any windows, adjacent to an air vent, or in any other location that receives indirect sunlight. In this case, it may provide the false impression that the house has been cooled to the intended temperature.

Conclusion

Michael’s Certified Air, Inc. recommends one method for preventing the overheating and potential failure of the components: scheduling an appointment with our skilled technicians for routine HVAC maintenance and air conditioning services in Ridgecrest, CA. Contact us immediately for additional information on the fundamental causes of an overheating HVAC system.