How to Keep Your Air Conditioner from Overheating

No one wants their air conditioner to stop working, least of all in the dead of summer when we’re all trying to stay cool. That’s why it’s important to keep up on your air conditioner maintenance—it could prevent your air conditioner from overheating in Oklahoma City, OK. Some of these tasks you can easily perform yourself, while others may be better handled by calling an HVAC professional:

• Change your air filters regularly: When your air filters get dirty and collect too much debris, it can block the flow of air coming into your AC unit in Oklahoma City, OK. In turn, this causes the air conditioner to work harder, eventually overheating.
• Clean the evaporator coils: Your evaporator or condenser coils are designed to carry the hot air inside your home and disperse it outdoors. If these coils get dirty, the dirt and debris will insulate the coils. Your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool down your home and dispose of the hot air. Make sure that the coils (which are located in the outdoor unit) are clean and free of mud, dirt and debris.
• Clean the fan blades: The more weight the fan blades have to carry—from dirt and dust, usually—the harder the motor has to work to keep the fan running. Even small amounts of extra weight can make a big difference. The harder the motor has to work, the more likely that your AC unit will overheat.
• Check your refrigerant levels: Low refrigerant can contribute to your air conditioner not cooling your home properly, which in turn causes the unit to work overtime and eventually overheat. When you’re performing your AC maintenance tasks, make sure to check the refrigerant level. In most cases, you’ll be able to simply top it off or replace the refrigerant, but if it’s been operating with low refrigerant for an extended period of time, you may need to replace the entire air conditioner.
• Shade the outdoor unit: Direct sunlight can cause your outdoor unit to overheat. Watch the unit from about noon to 4 p.m.—if it’s in direct sunlight, you’re at risk of an overheating AC unit in Oklahoma City, OK. Create shade for the unit with trees, shrubs or even a canopy.
• Think about a replacement: At a certain point, your air conditioner unit is going to reach the end of its lifespan. The more regularly you maintain your unit, however, the longer this lifespan will be. If your air conditioner seems to be on its last legs and it’s more than 10 to 15 years old, it’s time to consider getting a new one. Today’s newer models are more environmentally friendly and efficient, which is sure to save you money on your utility bills.

If you need air conditioner installation, maintenance or repair, reach out to the team at Dailey Heating & Air Conditioning. Our locally owned and operated business has been servicing Oklahoma City air conditioners for over two decades, and we look forward to assisting you soon!

Categorised in: Air Conditioning Service

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