When installing air conditioners, HVAC technicians hardwire them into residential electrical systems. Incorrect installation, ongoing wear, and general aging can all lead to electrical issues. Malfunctioning electrical components can result in poor cooling performance, increased energy use, and multiple electrical hazards. Read on to discover some warning signs of electrical issues in your AC.
Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
When your air conditioner trips its circuit breaker, it has a potentially dangerous electrical fault. The problem could be as simple as a dirty HVAC air filter. Heavy filter debris impedes airflow, increases operational stress, and causes ACs to overheat. To protect the motors from burnout and prevent heat-related melting or fires, the circuits will shut off and disrupt the flow of power.
However, if your AC has a clean filter, it might have worn wiring, faulty electrical contactors, or a damaged capacitor. If you recently installed a new home appliance, your AC could have an overloaded circuit. Air conditioners should have their own dedicated circuits. If you aren’t dealing with a maintenance-related airflow issue, have a licensed HVAC company inspect your air conditioner’s electrical components.
Warm Air Coming From Your Vents
There are many reasons why air conditioners circulate warm air rather than cool air.
- Dirty air filters
- Blocked condensate drains
- Incorrect thermostat settings
- Refrigerant leaks
- Dirty evaporator and condenser coils
However, warm airflow can also be a sign of damaged AC capacitors.
Central ACs use more power than residential electrical panels can supply at once. Capacitors harness and store energy during system downtimes to overcome this deficit. Start capacitors supply large jolts of electricity to get AC cooling cycles started. Run capacitors power air conditioners through cooling cycles, and dual capacitors perform both jobs.
When AC capacitors fail, air conditioners can draw too much power from their circuits. In some instances, this trips circuit breakers. In others, it leads to long and unproductive cooling cycles and the distribution of lukewarm air.
Clicking, Humming, or Buzzing Noises
Buzzing, humming, and clicking noises sometimes signal electrical problems. This is especially true when paired with visible electrical arcs, sparks, or thin, whitish smoke. If you hear or see any of these things and suspect an electrical problem, turn your AC off and schedule service right away.
Burnt Odors
Check for singed marks at your circuit breaker box, around your AC condenser, and on your air conditioner’s circuit switch. If you smell burnt odors in any of these areas, shut your cooling system down. It may have worn wiring insulation, worn electrical contactors, or other problems that could lead to overheating and fast-spreading electrical fires.
Rising Energy Bills
If you’re paying more to use your AC but aren’t using it more often, it could have electrical issues. Problems like faulty capacitors and worn wiring cause air conditioners to draw additional power, even as their cooling performance noticeably declines.
DIY electrical AC repairs pose the risk of electric shock, electrocution, and lost warranty protections. Schedule professional cooling service in Farmington, ME instead by calling A-1 Plumbing and Heating now.