Why Is Your AC Tripping Your Circuit Breaker?
If you notice that your AC is tripping the breaker, then it may be time to contact a professional. There are many reasons why this could be happening, and each of them requires different solutions.
For example, if you notice your AC system is tripping the breaker when it gets too hot outside, then you might need an ac pro to come out and give your unit a tune-up.
Sometimes air conditioners will cause circuit breaker trips because they are not getting enough electrical current from the AC circuit breaker, or there may be something wrong with the wiring in your house.
Let’s take a look at the top five common causes for why your air conditioning system could be tripping your circuit breaker. Finding the issue and trusting a professional with your AC repair can keep your family cool and safe this Summer!
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1. A Dirty Air Filter
If you notice that your AC is tripping the breaker when it gets too hot outside, a dirty air filter may be to blame. Dirty filters can reduce airflow and cause AC units to overheat, resulting in a breaker trip.
They also make it difficult for air conditioners to function efficiently at colder temperatures, so you might notice your AC is not cooling your home like it used to.
Air filters should be cleaned every few months depending on how often you use your air conditioning unit and where you live (it might need more cleaning if there are many allergens or plants in your area).
Your best option is always going to be calling in an HVAC technician who knows precisely what they’re doing when dealing with electrical wiring like this. If somebody with proper HVAC training is not appropriately handled, there could be severe consequences for both property and personal safety.
2. Dirty Condenser Coils
When your condenser coils get dirty, they cannot disperse heat from inside the house to the outside unit. This can cause the air conditioning system to lead to an electrical short, which can overheat.
Even when it is running, the A/C unit requires more electrical current to push the heat out of your home, which leads to a short circuit.
Dirty coils are usually caused by a buildup of dirt, dust, or plant life in your outdoor unit. Cleaning out these coils will help you avoid future ac problems like this!
To prevent dirty condenser coils, you want to make sure that your AC pro is coming out and doing regular tune-ups on the unit. Tune-ups should be done at least once per year to prevent heat loss in your home during these hot summer months!
An AC pro will also know how often a coil needs to be cleaned or replaced. Some units don’t need cleaning until they are no longer working correctly, while others may only need an annual cleaning depending on their age and performance level.
3. Broken Coil Fan
Air conditioning units use fans inside them called “coil” fans for cooling purposes, which are often powered by motors outside the house. This fan blows over the coils to release heat from your inside unit.
If there is something wrong with these motors – whether they have been damaged through wear and tear over time or if they were cut out during construction work nearby-then this could result in increased energy usage and cause the coil fan to burn out sooner than expected.
If your air conditioner fan motor is tripping the breaker because it’s not getting enough power from your circuit, then a broken coil fan may be to blame. Broken or missing parts of an ac unit can cause this issue that results in higher electricity usage and possible breakers trips.
To fix this problem, you’ll need an HVAC pro who knows how to replace or repair the coils on air conditioning!
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4. The Compressor Is “Hard Starting”
The compressor is an essential part of your AC unit, and as the compressor ages, it may experience problems starting up. If the circuit breaker keeps breaking, you might need to have an HVAC technician check the flow of electricity between the fan and your circuit.
A running AC unit should switch on in about one second – so anything longer than that could be a sign that you have an issue with your compressor.
If your compressor is “hard starting,” you will need to call a professional to diagnose the issue. The entire compressor may need to be replaced, plus the refrigerator lines will need to be cleaned to ensure no particulates are in the lines that can cause problems down the road.
5. Loose Wiring & Aging A/C Parts
Your A/C unit is a complex maze of wires that keep the entire system working. Over time, these wires may become loose and lose their connection, and this can cause your circuit breaker to trip from time to time.
An AC pro will fix this by re-wiring your circuit and may also need to replace the metal plate that contains all of your wires. The ac pro can provide a new one, or you can purchase one separately on Amazon at an affordable price!
Don’t Risk Your Investment by Running Your AC with a Tripped Breaker.
How much is your peace of mind worth to you? Think about it, if your AC breaker keeps tripping and shutting off because there’s an underlying issue with the system, not only are you dealing with a hothouse day in and day out, but when Summer comes around again – that’s a whole lot more money.
The best thing you can do for yourself (and the environment) is to get a professional AC repair service as soon as possible to identify and fix any issues before they become chronic.
You may be able to save yourself from suffering through another scorching summer this year by taking care of your air conditioner now!
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