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Why Does My AC Keep Tripping the Circuit Breaker?

ac-keep-tripping-circuit-breakerBeing stuck with a malfunctioning air conditioner can be pretty disheartening. Especially during this time of the year, considering how high our temperatures already are, and how much they’ll climb in the coming weeks. But what if you’re unsure if your air conditioner is actually experiencing trouble? Perhaps your AC system shut off, and you found that you just needed to reset the circuit breaker for it to come back on.

That’s great for the time being, but if you find yourself with a broken-down air conditioner again shortly after this, then there is definitely trouble brewing. Your cooling system shouldn’t trip the circuit breaker that often, and if it is doing so then you need to find out why and have the source of the problem repaired.

So, What Causes This Issue?

There are two potential overarching causes of an air conditioner constantly tripping its circuit breaker:

  1. The circuit breaker is bad.
  2. The air conditioner is drawing too many amps and requires professional Round Rock, TX air conditioning services.

A professional electrician would be needed to replace or repair your circuit breaker. If the air conditioner itself is the reason you have to constantly reset the circuit breaker, then you may need the help of a qualified HVAC technician. However, it may be a problem you can resolve on your own.

Air Conditioning Self-Care

Your air conditioner might be drawing more amps than it should be due to the presence of dirt and debris, which can be caused by a dirty air filter, or dirt on the outdoor coil.

Your air filter is designed to protect the inside components of your air conditioner from the damage of incoming debris and particulates. But when it gets too clogged up, the AC fan has to work overtime to get the right amount of air into the system. Changing your air filter on a regular basis (every 1–3 months), could resolve the issue of forcing your AC to work overtime.

Your air conditioner’s outdoor coil is responsible for allowing refrigerant to release built-up heat. If it’s too dirty, the refrigerant cycle and heat exchange process doesn’t complete, which means the air conditioner can become overworked.

When Do I Need Professional Service?

Of course, the problem may require more than simply a superficial air filter change or cleaning. With professional service, the problem is detected quickly and you can get the most cost-effective solution for your malfunctioning cooling system to ensure that it will perform as effectively and efficiently as it should.

  • Low Refrigerant: If your refrigerant levels are low, it means that you have a leak, which needs to be located and sealed. This is something that interferes with the regular operation of your AC system.
  • Motor Issues: If you have a motor short out, there might be too much of an electrical current for your cooling system to handle.
  • Compressor Damage: Unfortunately, a damaged compressor usually means that the entire air conditioner needs to be replaced. This is not always the case, though—compressor issues can sometimes be resolved by a professional.

For quality air conditioning services, reach out to Roznovak’s Services today!

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