3 Reasons Behind an Overheating Air Conditioning Unit

One of the most common problems an AC unit faces is overheating. And it’s important to fix the overheating problem as soon as possible to avoid further issues. However, before you can take action, you must first identify the cause of the overheating.

1. A Dirty Air Filter

Remember that an AC unit generates heat in order to cool the air inside your home. So, if your AC filter is completely blocked, the unit will overheat in no time.

When your AC unit is producing too much heat, there are two ways you can deal with the overheating problem.

The first one is to clean the filter. You can easily clean the filter by using a vacuum cleaner, dustpan, and dust brush.

The second one is to replace the filter. Here, it’s important to note that there are several different types of filters, and they vary in terms of efficiency. So, you must choose the filters suitable to your needs.

2. Blocked Vents

Sometimes, you can’t really see if the vents are blocked or not. In such cases, you must listen to the sounds.

If you notice that your AC unit is making a louder noise, then it’s likely that the vents are blocked.

When the vents are blocked, the air has no way to pass through the AC unit and get back inside the house. So, the trapped air creates a lot of pressure, which makes the working of the AC unit much harder.

To fix this problem, it’s important to identify the cause of the blocked vents:

Dust: If the vents are blocked by dust, you must use a damp cloth to clean the vents.

Plants: If the vents are blocked by plants or leaves, you must use a vacuum cleaner to remove the blockage.

Asbestos: If the vents are blocked by asbestos, you must hire an expert to remove the blockage.

3. Low Refrigerant Levels

The refrigerant is the chemical used in an AC unit to maintain the temperature inside the house. The refrigerant leaks out of the AC unit and evaporates into the air when the AC unit is turned on.

The refrigerant is stored in a gas form, and it produces poisonous gases when exposed to heat. So, you must never expose it to sunlight.

There are three ways an AC unit can lose refrigerant.

The first one is over-charging. When the refrigerant level is more than usual, the refrigerant is likely to leak out from the unit’s weak spots.

The second one is under-charging. When the air conditioner is used for a long time, the refrigerant level is likely to decrease.

The third one is poor cooling performance. If the refrigerant is leaking out from the unit, you won’t be able to use the AC unit to cool the home.

Final Thoughts

An air conditioning unit is a very important investment. So, you must take good care of it. If you notice that your AC unit is overheating, you must fix it immediately. And the first step is properly identifying the reason behind the overheating. 

Fix your overheating AC unit with the help of Legacy Heating. We are an HVAC contractor that offers air conditioning repair services in Edmonton and Calgary. With many decades of experience in the field, we pride ourselves on putting quality and customers first. Get a free quote today!