Can AC Units Overheat?

Air conditioning systems can become prone to multiple problems that prevent them from adequately cooling your home. Although most Roxbury Township homeowners understand that air conditioners break down, some don’t know if they can overheat. So, can AC units overheat?

Comfort Specialists is here to teach you everything you need to know about air conditioners overheating.

Residents consider Comfort Specialists as one of the most trusted AC repair services in Roxbury Township, NJ. If you want to improve your air conditioner’s performance, lifespan, and overall quality, contact the experts at Comfort Specialists.

Can Your Air Conditioner Overheat?

Air conditioners help homeowners beat the heat once summer temperatures arrive. They generate cool, comfortable air that keeps your home pleasant throughout the scorching summer seasons. However, the increased demand and excessive heat can take a toll on even the best AC units, causing them to malfunction and break down.

But can AC units overheat? Absolutely.

Excess stress, internal malfunctions, and other issues can overheat your air conditioner, significantly decreasing its performance, resilience, and more. It can also cause more severe issues that can make it give out completely. You must resolve overheating swiftly to preserve your AC unit and prevent it from going out prematurely.

Four Problems That Can Cause Your AC Unit To Overheat

Again, several issues can cause your air conditioner to overheat and prevent it from operating efficiently. Understanding these problems will help you identify and resolve them before adversely affecting your system. Below we list a few common air conditioning problems that can lead to overheating.

1. A Dirty Compressor/Exterior Unit

A compressor pumps refrigerant through your air conditioner’s outdoor unit, allowing it to cool the air before the system supplies it to your home’s ductwork. However, sometimes leaves, dirt, and debris can accumulate on exterior units and prevent the compressors from operating efficiently. This puts immense strain on the air conditioner, causing it to run longer and eventually overheat.

Cleaning your outdoor unit will allow the compressor to operate correctly while limiting system strain. Try to clean your outdoor air conditioning system regularly to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance.

2. Clogged Air Filters

Air filters catch impurities that can reduce your home’s indoor air quality. However, air filters sometimes become clogged with dust and debris, causing the system to work harder to operate. The worse the clog becomes, the more stress the air conditioner experiences, causing it to overheat.

Replacing your unit’s air filter every month will ensure your home’s indoor air remains pristine while helping it function at its highest efficiency level. This represents one of the easiest ways to prevent overheating while providing several other benefits to you and your air conditioner.

3. Low Refrigerant

Maintaining high refrigerant levels is essential to keep your unit up and running. It serves as the lifeblood of your air conditioner and generates cool air that keeps your home comfortable during warm summer afternoons. When an air conditioner runs low on refrigerant, it can’t generate chilled air, leaving your home excessively hot while increasing the chances of overheating.

Refilling your air conditioning system’s refrigerant levels will restore or enhance its performance while preventing overheating.

However, you need to note that homeowners can’t refill their AC system’s refrigerant themselves since it can negatively impact their health and the environment. They must contact a professional HVAC service to recharge their air conditioner and ensure a safe and efficient process.

4. Dirty Evaporator and Condenser Coils

Your air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils absorb heat and release it away from your property. When dirt and grime cover these coils, they can hinder the heat exchange process and overwork the unit’s other internal parts, like the compressor and air handler motor. This can cause the unit to overheat.

Hiring routine AC maintenance will ensure the evaporator and condenser coils remain clean while reducing the likelihood of overheating. Comfort Specialists offers exceptional AC maintenance and repair services that will have your air conditioner operating optimally so you won’t have to worry about it overheating anytime soon.

Contact Comfort Specialists for Top-Quality AC Servicing in Roxbury Township

If your air conditioner experiences a problem that leaves you wondering, “Can AC units overheat?” contact Comfort Specialists. Our team will service your unit while taking measures to prevent overheating. Whether you need professional AC maintenance or just want to know some common problems with old AC units, Comfort Specialists aims to help.

Give Comfort Specialists a call at (973) 490-4881 and book your appointment in Roxbury Township, New Jersey, today!