Why Do AC Systems Overheat in Portsmouth, VA?

Since an air conditioner should cool your home in Portsmouth, VA, it can be quite ironic when the system itself overheats. Nevertheless, this can happen. To prevent the problems it can cause, you should know why it’s happening. Here are some reasons your AC system might overheat:

Filthy Air Conditioning Filter

If your AC system has used the same filter for too long, dirt and other debris will accumulate on it, possibly reaching such a point as to curtail the ability of air to flow through it. This will diminish your AC system’s ability to cool your home, which will probably cause your thermostat to force your air conditioner to work harder to resolve the problem. That will trigger overheating.

To prevent this difficulty, you’ll need to take care that your AC system’s filter doesn’t become too dirty. We strongly recommend replacing it about once every 30-90 days.

Low AC Refrigerant Levels

Refrigerant leaks are extremely dangerous because inhaling refrigerant, even accidentally and in small quantities, can cause serious respiratory and neurological damage. Losing refrigerant can also mess up your air conditioner. That’s why it’s critical to schedule repair or maintenance services and replace any refrigerant that escapes from your AC system.

With less refrigerant, your air conditioner’s compressor will have to work harder to bring the refrigerant that remains up to a pressure level where it can condense and release heat. As the compressor works harder, the chances increase that your whole air conditioner will begin short cycling and overheating.

Dirty AC Compressor and Coils

Debris can also gather inside your AC system’s compressor and around the evaporator and condenser coils. If these things happen, it’ll be much more difficult for your AC system to expel unwanted heat, and this is doubly true if dust builds up on the evaporator coils. Since these clean-up operations are more delicate, you’ll need air conditioning maintenance service technicians to do them for you.

It can spell disaster if your air conditioner overheats too severely for too long. To make sure this doesn’t happen, call us at Hats Off Heating & Cooling and ask for our AC repair services in Portsmouth, VA.

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