Common Reasons Your Southern Oklahoma
AC Overheats Or Shuts Down
Learn How To Spot And Identify Your AC Issues
In Southern Oklahoma, it’s common for air conditioning units to overheat or shut down. Though this might be startling to some homeowners, those are problems we’re well versed in at Robinson Air and HVAC.
If this happens to your AC unit, don’t panic! Shutdowns are usually caused by something easily fixable. Depending on the cause, the issue can be addressed quickly and affordably, getting you and your family back in the comfort of cool air as soon as possible.
AC’s may seem complicated, and though they can be to the untrained eye, their common problems are not hard to understand. It’s always good to learn about your home appliances, making you an informed and knowledgeable homeowner.
Here are five common reasons your AC unit may be overheating and shutting down.
1. Dirty Or Clogged Air Filters
Dirty or clogged air conditioner filters are the leading cause of unit shutdowns. Air filters are used in your AC to prevent dirt and debris buildup and protect your unit from obstructions.
Once your air filters become overly full or clogged, air cannot flow smoothly through the unit, causing the machine to run continuously or for long periods. Because your HVAC system runs more than usual, it might trip your breaker or shut down.
To prevent dirty air filters, changing them every one to three months is important. Air filters are typically easy to replace and only require a screwdriver and the correct size replacement filter. Depending on the contaminants in your home, you can purchase specific air filters to protect against different elements.
2. Dirty Condenser Coils
Condenser coils run through your air conditioner’s outside unit and are used to hold its refrigerant. When the coils get dirty, your air conditioner runs longer and eventually overheats or shuts down.
The two main components of a split AC system are the outside and inside units. The inside unit pumps refrigerant through the condenser coils to cool the indoor air, while the outside unit releases the heat that the refrigerant liquid has absorbed from the air.
When your AC’s coils build up dirt or grime, it prevents the heat from being released. In addition, dirt buildup prevents the refrigerant from absorbing the heat in your home, allowing warm or hot air to pump out.
Before you attempt to clean your condenser coils, you should call a trusted professional. Professionals use a chemical cleaning agent to clean your coils safely, avoiding any damage self-cleaning may cause.
3. Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a vital fluid or gas used to regulate the airflow in your home. As we’ve learned, it helps to absorb heat from the environment and convert it into cool air. However, refrigerant can quickly or slowly leak out over time. When levels get low enough, your AC will overheat, leading to a shutdown.
Signs that your HVAC suffers from this issue are more extended cool-down periods and frost or ice on the outside surface of the unit. It may also be struggling to keep your home cool during hot temperatures – so pay attention to your indoor climate for signs of potential problems.
Leaking refrigerant from your AC’s copper lines can cause severe damage to the compressor, so it’s essential to look for any pinholes in the pipes. A professional can find any refrigerant leaks as they may not be noticeable to the naked eye.
Once they find the source of the leak, they will close up the hole, refill the refrigerant to normal levels, and get your AC back up and running in no time. To prevent leaks from occurring, regular AC maintenance check-ups are recommended, as an expert technician can often spot leaks before they become a more significant issue.
4. Damaged Coil Fan
Coil fans are parts of your air conditioner unit that blow air over the coils to release heat from your inside unit. They work to keep the whole system cool and prevent it from overheating – similar to fans built-in to computers.
However, many issues can cause your coil fan to break, including clogged and bent fan fins, shrubbery growth through or close to the unit, and damaged or bent outer casings. A broken coil fan may also be caused by normal wear and tear in older units.
When your coil fan is damaged, you’ll see limited airflow, poor AC operation, and higher energy costs. It may also trip your breaker, causing your AC to shut down. If you suspect your coil fan is broken or damaged, a professional should come out to examine and fix the problem. It’s not a massive project, but it needs the help of someone who knows AC units.
5. Improperly Sized AC Unit
This issue is a bit harder for homeowners to comprehend, as it may entail altogether investing in a new AC unit. However, this may be the case if your AC unit is sized correctly for your home. Different size homes require different amounts of power and, therefore, different AC unit sizes.
AC units are built to cool specific size areas per their size and power, so when they’re used in the wrong size homes, they’re prone to overheat or shut down. Small homes with an AC unit that is too big will force the unit to cool the home too quickly.
Similarly, larger homes that rely on one smaller unit may find their AC unit working overtime, trying to cool and regulate the temperature in an area too big for its capability. Often, it’s best to install two separate AC units for larger two-level homes to receive maximum AC efficiency.
Calling a professional HVAC and Air company can help you determine the correct size unit for your home, keeping you and your family comfortable.
When You’re Looking For HVAC Repair In Oklahoma
You Can Count On Robinson Air
If your Southern Oklahoma AC appears to be struggling or has already overheated and shut down, we’re ready to help fix the issue at Robinson Air and HVAC. For over 30 years, we’ve been helping our valued customers properly diagnose and treat all their AC problems, keeping them cool.
To catch a problem before it becomes larger and more expensive, join our VIP Comfort Club and receive regular air conditioning inspections and tune-ups!
Contact us today for a free estimate! We’re here 24/7!